WWE SmackDown Fallout: Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn Overexposed and More

With Money in the Bank just days away, the May 14 edition of SmackDown Live was entirely focused forward on the pay-per-view, with stars from the blue brand as well as a few from Raw appearing to continue their momentum.

The immediate focus of Tuesday's show was hyping that event with clear hints about what is to come. While stars like Roman Reigns and The Miz were heavily featured ahead of largely expected victories, some stars did not get as promising a spotlight.

The tag team division was almost completely ignored for the second night in a row with none of the champions competing on Sunday on the main card. This is particularly distressing for The IIconics, who have an obvious rival for MITB.

The titular ladder matches on Sunday have multiple potential winners being hyped in ways that could make or break their career. This was especially true of Andrade and Sami Zayn, who were heavily featured on this final go-home show.

This week's SmackDown had all the excitement and drama of a show hyping a major WWE PPV, though it left fans with a few head-scratching moments that will likely not be forgotten soon.

Roman Reigns Is Now the Lead Star of Both Brands

Reigns opened the show with The Miz, and both had more to say on Shane McMahon following their talk on Raw.

However, Shane-O-Mac interrupted and ended up booking The Usos and Reigns vs. Shane, Elias, Daniel Bryan and Rowan, with The A-Lister banned from ringside in a match the heels won.

The wild-card rule established that any four wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown can work the opposite brand each week. This has allowed the company to continuously rely on The Big Dog on both brands. Clearly, the company still sees him as the centerpiece of the business.

It is awkward because it will not take long for fans to turn against him once again. This overexposure would hurt anyone, and Reigns has always been riding the edge with fans as a babyface. Perhaps it was only a repeat for two weeks, but it feels like this entire concept was built with The Big Dog in mind.

Reigns will do everything in his power to use his time well, but there are so many other stars who could use this spotlight. Miz himself came over from Raw and felt unnecessary because the focus was on The Big Dog.

It may help ratings in the short term, but the good-will built up for the former universal champion will vanish if this continues over too long a period.

Andrade's Win Is a Sign That Gold Is in His Future

In a Fatal 4-Way match between the men who will be competing in the Money in the Bank ladder match, Andrade took the victory when he pinned Finn Balor. Afterward, Ricochet ran in and stole the briefcase from right under the winner's nose.

El Idolo has had a rocky road in WWE, never quite getting his moment to shine. This latest victory was a huge momentum boost at the right time, and it could be a sign he is the favorite in the ladder match.

Moreover, it gives him another win over the intercontinental champion. This should mean that whether he wins or not on Sunday, he is in position to go after The Extraordinary Man following Money in the Bank.

Andrade feels like a rising star on SmackDown in a way he didn't a few months back. His talent in the ring and improving mic skills are paying dividends, and it would be a shock if he is not carrying a title around in the coming months.

The Men and Women's Tag Team Divisions Have Lost All Momentum

The IIconics watched from ringside as Paige branded her new team "The Kabuki Warriors." Asuka and Kairi Sane then managed to overcome the team of Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville.

For a short time, the women's tag team division was being treated as a vital component in WWE, but that has fallen by the wayside relatively quickly. It now feels like The IIconics are just as relevant as the Raw tag team champions Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder.

There's a stigma attached to tag team wrestling in WWE that has hurt almost everyone who has worked the division. While Asuka and Sane are a good team, they were not viewed as big enough to get a title shot against The IIconics at Money in the Bank.

The only tag match on Sunday's card will be on the kickoff show. It is a telling sign of how WWE sees the whole division.

Sami Zayn Is Back Together with Kevin Owens at the Worst Time

Credit: WWE.com

On the Kevin Owens Show, Zayn helped his friend beat down Kofi Kingston until Xavier Woods made the save. The New Day ended up standing tall and sending the heels running to end the show.

One of the biggest moves during the Superstar Shake-up was the decision to keep Zayn and KO apart. The two have been inseparable since the latter debuted, and it was time for both men to spread their wings.

Both are heavily featured heels on their respective brands going into huge matches at MITB. There was no reason they needed to be working together again. However, WWE cannot help itself, and the wild-card rule has forced them back together.

Not only does this pairing weaken the standing of both as individual top heels, it also just feels wrong. Zayn has completely taken on a new persona and needs to be able to stand on his own.

Zayn in Owens' corner serves little purpose beyond making sure Woods has a role on Sunday. Anyone could have taken on this role for The Prizefighter, who didn't really need anyone.