Look at the SmackDown babyface line up i would say he is fourth in line compared that to the heel lineup
Cody Rhodes
Randy Orton
LA Knight
Bobby Lashley/Almighty Profits
Kevin Owens
Rey Mysterio/LWO
Roman/Bloodline Crew
Logan Paul
AJ Styles
Santos Escobar
Karrion Kross/TFT
Greyson Waller
Unless I'm forgetting some heel or babyfaces the heel Smackdown heel side is kinda lacking Lashley & crew were going to be position as the number two heel crew which gave him alot more option for people to feud with plus an potential tease & babyface turn down the line against the bloodline
They had Lashley and the profits going at LWO who nobody gave a fukk about. It was impossible make them heel beating up Cruz del toro and DJ Z