If Donald Trump keeps his word and doesn’t show up for tonight’s Fox News debate, the seven-candidate event will feel nothing like the spectacle of the last several G.O.P. debates. In some ways, it will present a glimpse into an alternate universe where the tough-talking billionaire was never a candidate, and the expected players would have had a chance to shine outside of Trump’s long shadow. But more likely, the power vacuum he leaves will be as much a presence as the front-runner himself. Here’s what to expect:

Cruz Seizes Trump’s Mantle

After Trump, Texas Senator Ted Cruz has emerged as the man to beat: not only does he have a commanding lead over his nearest opponent, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, he’s also long been cast as a Trump proxy. His initial strategy—avoid attacking Trump to endear himself to Trump’s supporters—has dramatically shifted toward slamming the billionaire for his ideological impurity in the hopes of peeling off his Iowa voters. With Trump temporarily out of the picture, Cruz will likely seize the moment to argue that he’s the more serious, electable version of his Republican rival. A Trump no-show is also the perfect opportunity for Cruz to attack him as too emotionally unbalanced for the presidency. (Given what we know about Cruz’s history as a college debater, he’s probably very good at arguing with an empty chair.)

Everyone Turns On Cruz

Cruz will be surrounded by six people, two of them his fellow senators, who hate his guts—not only for his history of shutting down the government when he doesn’t get his way, but for being, to many, an extremist who poses an even greater threat to the G.O.P.’s future than Trump. While they know that they can’t steal the Iowa voters who prefer Cruz and Trump, Rubio and Ohio Governor John Kasich, who are virtually tied with Cruz for second place in New Hampshire, can play the long game and attack Cruz for the sake of those Republican votes still up for grabs in New Hampshire.

Rubio in particular will finally get another shot at an explosive debate confrontation with Cruz, without Trump to suck the oxygen from the room. America saw hints of this in the last few debates, when the two clashed repeatedly over foreign policy, taxes, and immigration, but it’s in both of their best interests to take the fight front and center, if they can avoid becoming too bloodied in the process.

Jeb Bush Takes His Broken Wings and Tries to Fly

Whenever Trump faced off with Jeb Bush in previous debates, the former Florida governor withered into a sad caricature of himself, reduced to calling Trump a “bully” and a “jerk.” But what happens when his tormenter isn’t in the room? Will Jeb blossom without Trump’s perpetual abuse, giving us flashes of the technocratic candidate who could have been, and making the case that he’s still a viable champion for the Republican establishment? Or has the “low energy” candidate been too traumatized by Trump’s bullying to recover, either in the polls or in spirit? Either way, Bush has plenty of face that needs saving on behalf of his donors, who are nearly ready to jump ship after watching their $100 million investment circle the drain.

Rand Paul Returns

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has been in a similar position to Jeb, with Trump often mocking his presence during debates. (“Rand Paul should not even be on this stage,” Trump once declared.) Paul, however, has shown more resilience, continuing a rather snarky barrage against Trump and his other opponents in contrast to Bush's half-hearted attempts. Now that he’s back from his unwilling exile to the undercard debate, expect Paul to finally pick fights with the rest of the candidates and, despite having zero chance at the Republican nomination, relish his role as the wild card everyone expected him to be this cycle.