5 Things you need to know before tonight's WWE SmackDown Live (January 29th, 2019)

In just a few hours, the WWE will host SmackDown Live, with everyone on team blue reeling from the fallout of an explosive Royal Rumble.

At the pay per view, we saw new champions emerge, a monster return in the WWE Title match and The Man assert herself on the road to WrestleMania 35.

But with the Rumble now behind us, the men and women of SmackDown Live look ahead to the Elimination Chamber, and the titular match that some unlucky souls may find themselves in.

But before all that, the Superstars need to survive tonight's SmackDown Live, which is already shaping up to be a highly exciting episode.

Here are five things you need to know before tonight's edition of WWE SmackDown Live.

#5 Will Rusev Day bounce back?

Rusev lost the US Title to Shinsuke Nakamura, with Lana suffering an injury along the way.

The 2019 Royal Rumble may have fallen on Rusev Day (what are the odds?!) but the show was not a happy occasion for the Bulgarian Brute or the ravishing Russian.

Competing on the kick-off show, Rusev lost the United States Championship to Shinsuke Nakamura, with Lana being injured in the fray.

It was this ankle injury that prevented the Ravishing Russian from competing in the Women's Royal Rumble match, which did lead a spot vacant (we'll get to that later).

The pay per view was clearly one of the worst nights in the career of both Superstars, so don't expect either to be in a good mood when they appear on SmackDown Live.

Will the pair be able to move on, especially when you remember that it was Rusev who inadvertently caused his wife's injury.

#4 The Best Tag Team Championship Celebration in the World

They may be an odd pairing, but it's hard to argue with the Miz and Shane's success.

For the first time in nearly 20 years, Shane McMahon holds gold in WWE, after capturing the SmackDown Tag Team Championships alongside The Miz at the Royal Rumble.

Upsetting The Bar, the very unique team have been highly entertaining, with the A-Lister even throwing a birthday party for his partner not long ago.

And tonight, Shane O'Mac and The Miz will host a very special celebration to commemorate their tag title win, which we're sure will be a part of epic proportions.

Like most Hollywood shin-digs though, we're expecting a couple of gatecrashers, with the former Champions Sheamus and Cesaro off the guest list.

With that said, perhaps a new team will set their sights on the new champions, such as SANITY, The New Day, or The Usos.

#3 Who's next in the Empress' way?

Asuka retained her title against The Man, who later won the Women's Rumble Match.

At the Royal Rumble, the SmackDown Live Women's Champion proved why she is on top of team blue's women's division when she crushed Becky Lynch to retain her title.

Whilst The Man proved a difficult opponent, she ultimately fell to Asuka, who is now left without a number one contender.

With the Elimination Chamber pay per view drawing near, a new challenger will need to be found, and they could be determined tonight.

As Lynch will now be challenging for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania 35, this is the perfect opportunity for former SmackDown champions like Charlotte Flair, Naomi or Carmella to try and regain the gold.

Or perhaps a new challenger will emerge, with Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville and the IIconics all yet to taste the ultimate prize on SmackDown Live.

#2 The road to glory

Which team will become the first Women's Tag Team Champions?

The WWE Universe may still be reeling from a historic Royal Rumble pay per view, but they should buckle up as the road to WrestleMania goes through the Elimination Chamber.

And this year, the hellish pay per view will make history, as we see the crowning of the inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, inside the second-ever Women's Elimination Chamber match.

With six teams needed for the match, the race is on for every woman on the roster to try and earn a spot in the satanic structure in their efforts to make history.

Last night on Monday Night RAW, the Riott Squad and Nia Jax & Tamina qualified for the match, with one spot for a RAW team left.

That means three teams from SmackDown Live will have the chance to make history and could be determined tonight.

#1 The New Daniel Bryan, and his new friend

What will the new Daniel Bryan have to say about his controversial victory tonight?

At the Royal Rumble, Daniel Bryan was able to retain his WWE Championship against AJ Styles, but did not do so alone.

In the heat of the match, and with the referee down, it was Erick Rowan who appeared, attacking the Phenomenal One, leaving Styles easy prey for the bearded warrior.

With the former SmackDown Tag Team Champion by his side, Bryan has now become cockier than ever before, and a shadow of the man he once was.

Whilst the duo appeared on RAW as Seth Rollins could've (but didn't) chosen Bryan as his WrestleMania opponent, the relationship between Bryan and Rowan remains shrouded in mystery.

Hopefully, we will get some answers tonight from Bryan and Rowan, who should be aware of the resilient AJ Styles.