Nikki Cross Earns Deserved No. 1 Contendership and More WWE SmackDown Fallout

After a fierce two nights of the WWE draft, Friday's edition of SmackDown presented a brand-new roster to audiences. With few true stories set in motion, WWE had to create fresh stories and characters for the weeks to come.

The blue brand certainly did its best in a few key areas. First, Nikki Cross defeated five other women to earn a deserved shot at Bayley's SmackDown Women's Championship.

Second, Daniel Bryan may have punched his own ticket to gold after pinning Shinsuke Nakamura, potentially setting up a dream match for the intercontinental title.

Elsewhere, on the show, Chad Gable completed his unfortunate transformation into Shorty G, though all hope may not be lost quite yet.

One man who may have lost all hope already, though, is Drew Gulak. The technical wizard was squashed by Braun Strowman, played as a joke after months of being a dominant force.

These were the key moments on a jam-packed night of action that clearly state SmackDown's intentions for the immediate future.

Nikki Cross Earns No. 1 Contendership She Should Have Had Months Ago

After Bayley made her feelings about the WWE Universe abundantly clear on Miz TV, Lacey Evans, Carmella Nikki Cross, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville and Dana Brooke competed in a Six-Pack Challenge. Cross got the win with the twisting neckbreaker to become the new No. 1 contender.

This was a great moment for the former WWE women's tag team champion, helping her to step out of the shadow of Alexa Bliss. She won all on her own and will get her title opportunity one-on-one. It is a big change from the mess that were her first shots at The Hugger.

While Bayley and Cross never quite clicked, it felt like they were holding back. Now, The Twisted Sister has nothing in her way, and The Hugger is in a role wherein she can embrace a completely different side of her persona.

This has been a long time coming for one of the best competitors in the women's division. Cross has been on a tear over the past month or so. While she is the first challenger to a heel Bayley, she should get a chance to prove she should be a mainstay.

SmackDown is in desperate need of top babyfaces to step up. That may only come when Sasha Banks turns face, but it would be better if fresh stars stepped up. Cross can do just that.

Chad Gable Absolutely Needed This Push but Not the Name Shorty G

Shorty Gable made quick work of Curtis Axel in their match, making him tap out to the ankle lock. Afterward, he got on the mic and made clear he would embrace his height—and become Shorty G.

It is great that Gable is finally getting a chance to step up. He is a high-caliber athlete who can pull off feats few others could manage. While he is on the shorter side for a WWE Superstar, he's not all that short. He's taller than Rey Mysterio, Kalisto and many of the women's roster.

The way he is built, he can come off as larger than many who might have several inches on him. NXT is loaded with guys smaller than him in height, stature or both. It's unfair to him that he is saddled with this moniker. Shorty G is not the name you give to a star you are relying on to succeed.

But he is getting a spotlight. That is better than being stuck in 205 Live or not getting any TV time. He's in a better spot than Apollo Crews, Jinder Mahal, Heath Slater and so many more, for example.

However, he's a generational talent. He's got the make-up of a performer who could emulate Kurt Angle. His Olympic background is legit and lends credence to his mix of agility and power.

Despite this, it feels more likely he starts rapping on his way to the ring rather than carrying a championship.

Drew Gulak Already Deserves Better Than This

Credit: WWE.com

Drew Gulak tried to curry favor with Braun Strowman by giving him pointers on what he needed to do to defeat Tyson Fury. He even promised a PowerPoint presentation. Instead, The Monster Among Men planted him with a running powerslam for an easy win.

When it was announced that certain 205 Live stars would be making their way to the main roster, it seemed obvious Gulak would be among them. He is charismatic and good at just about anything. He can be just as good as a comedy performer as a dangerous technician.

However, WWE has leaned too far into the humor. Rather than carrying forward his momentum from 205 Live, he was squashed upon his SmackDown debut. Anyone else could have been in this role rather than a guy with so much upside.

Gulak deserves as good as his fellow 205 Live call-ups are getting. Buddy Murphy, Cedric Alexander and Ali are all on the rise, and they just need chances to break out. The former cruiserweight champion just needs a chance to not get squashed.

He can work well in a comedy role, but he cannot become a joke. WWE has to let him be the lethal grappler fans who have watched him know he can be.

Daniel Bryan Could Be the Contender Shinsuke Nakamura Desperately Needs

Credit: WWE.com

King Corbin interfered to cause a disqualification in the night's opening bout, and he beat down Roman Reigns alongside Shinsuke Nakamura thereafter. Daniel Bryan tried to make the save but was taken out. Later in the night, the babyfaces defeated the heels in tag team action when The Planet's Champion caught The Artist with a running knee.

Nakamura has a lot of potential. He has not quite lost steam following his alliance with Sami Zayn, but he needs somebody to step up to him who can make him feel lethal. Bryan is the man for the job.

These two just come off as a natural fit. They have complementary styles. Bryan brings out the best in everyone. The Artist needs a top opponent who will push him to put in the effort. Their matches should be electric.

All of this is to say these two need each other. This cannot just be a one-off to further build the alliance of The Big Dog and The Beard. Pinning the intercontinental champion needs to matter.

The point here is not to hot-shot the title to Bryan. He'd be a great IC champion, but he can hold any title and make it work. The point is that he can bring out the best from one of the world's premier competitors, and the matchup is so close it's tantalizing.