3 Things WWE got right on this week's SmackDown Live and 2 things they got wrong (January 1, 2019) 

Another week, another episode of WWE SmackDown Live.

This week's episode of WWE SmackDownis done and dusted, and it was truly one to remember. We saw a massive confrontation between two megastars, as well as a new number one contender for the WWE Championship.

With 2018 now over, the men and women of Team Blue will have no time to recover from any New Year's parties, as the Superstars of both brands look ahead to the Royal Rumble and the road to WrestleMania.

The Rumble is a chance for any Superstar to instantly earn a WrestleMania main event match, and whilst we have some places in the iconic match already filled, there are still plenty of spots left.

Here are three things the WWE got spot on in the latest episode of WWE SmackDown Live as well as two things which could've been a whole lot better.

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#5: Got It Right: Rusev Vs. Nakamura continues

Rusev's celebration was cut short by the former champion.

Last week, the WWE Universe got a very special Christmas present, when they saw Rusev capture his third United States Championship, dethroning Shinsuke Nakamura. And whilst Nakamura's reign may have been underwhelming, to say the least, it was clear to all those who watched their match that the two have great chemistry.

Celebrating his big win alongside wife Lana, things were going well for Rusev this week, until he was blindsided by the former Champion, showing that things aren't over between the two. Things got taken to a whole separate level though, when the Ravishing Russian tried to fight off the former NXT Champion, showing the pair to be the true power couple in WWE today.

Expect big things from these three Superstars in 2019.

#2: Got It Wrong: The New Day Party

The New Day have another party.

How often have we seen this sight?

The New Day, draped in some hilarious costumes, speaking about the holiday of the time, cutting jokes and ripping into others on the roster. We've seen it with Christmas, New Year's, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the 4th of July.

Is anyone else getting tired of it?

I mean, I like The trio of Xavier Woods, Kofi and Big E, but it does feel like the team have done everything they can do together, including multiple reigns as Tag Team Champions, and becoming the longest reigning Tag champions in history.

Perhaps 2019 should be the year they split? Or if they don't want to do that, mix it up somehow. Perhaps go for some singles gold, such as the United States or WWE Championships, just to add some variety to the group which in many fans eyes', have gone stale.

#2: Got It Right: Asuka picks her poison

Who will be the next woman to face Asuka for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship?

It may have taken longer than she expected, but at TLC, Asuka finally captured the SmackDown Women's Championship that she aimed for at WrestleMania 34.

Defeating Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair in the first ever Women's TLC Match, the Japanese Sensation certainly impressed many fans, including Triple H.

This week on SmackDown Live, The Game told Asuka that she would have to decide her next opponent, though the usual challengers emerged, Lynch, Flair, and Carmella, who also held the gold in 2018.

Whilst I would've liked to have seen some more variety, it's interesting that the Empress has been offered the chance to choose her opponents. This implied favouritism won't go down well with the women of team Blue, especially if Asuka picks someone with less in-ring skill, e.g. Lana.

#1: Got It Wrong: Out with the old, in with the old

Styles will once again compete for the WWE Championship.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy AJ Styles. I reckon most fans do. So when he was announced as part of the Fatal 5-Way for the number one contendership, I was excited.

Going up against the likes of Randy Orton, Samoa Joe, Rey Mysterio and Mustafa Ali, the match was guaranteed to impress, and it certainly did.

But when Styles won, I couldn't help but be overcome with this sense of deja vu, as we've already seen Styles and Bryan battle numerous times, and whilst they had great matches, it should've been time for someone else.

Perhaps Mustafa Ali could've shocked everyone by winning, and told his own Underdog story to match Bryan's own that took place in 2013. Either way, it would've been nice to have a fresh match at the Rumble.

#1: Got It Right: The Champ and The Man

Cena and Lynch teamed together to defeat Andrade Cien Almas and Zelina Vega.

It's still hard to truly realise just how meteoric the rise of Becky Lynch was in 2018. Even just one year ago, Becky was the number 2 entrant in the inaugural Women's Royal Rumble, and whilst she was popular, it was clear that the company had little planned for her.

Fast forward to this week's episode of SmackDown Live, and Lynch is not only arguably the biggest star on the show, but she went face to face with the WWE's resident icon, John Cena.

The segment between the two was fast and enjoyable and helped prove why both Cena and Lynch are in the positions they are in. If this is just day one of the Man's 2019, expect great things to come over the next 12 months.