'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE finally delivered the goods in the new year as Raw was an explosive affair from start to finish. From a vulnerable Beast Incarnate to The Miz showing up and reminding the fans why he is an underrated legend in the making, Raw had some promising takeaways and the same is expected from the men and women in blue.
Also Read: Smackdown Live Results and Live Commentary( January 9th, 2018)
This week's WWE SmackDown Live will be live from the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL and WWE have enough of firepower to ensure two captivating hours of sports entertainment. But WWE has rarely conjured up two solid shows in succession and it will be interesting to see if SmackDown manages to overshadow their counterparts in red. It's no easy feat but can be accomplished if these five talking points from tonight's episode receive proper treatment from the WWE Creative:
Trending
#1 The rise of Mojo Rawley
The friends turned foes shtick is pro wrestling 101 and never misses the mark if booked right. It helps when the performers themselves step up their game and Mojo Rawley is certainly revelling in his new found role.
The Andre The Giant Battle Royal winner has been cutting some impressive heel promos that are sadly not being aired on TV. Nonetheless, Rawley is showing immense potential since giving up on all the hype and tonight's final first-round match in the ongoing US Championship tournament against Zack Ryder would go a long way in determining his immediate future.
It's highly unlikely WWE puts the strap around him at such a nascent stage but he will get a healthy push irrespective of the outcome. As for Ryder, he should have no qualms about putting over the former defensive lineman.
#2 Distraught #1 contenders
Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable will eventually win the SmackDown Tag Team titles from The Usos. That's a certainty. WWE, however, is doing the right thing and is letting it all unfold slowly. The accomplished grapplers came awfully close in dethroning The Usos last week when Gable pinned Jimmy Usos only for the referee to realize they weren't the two legal men.
Gable and Benjamin ended up falling short and they haven't taken too well to the referee's botch. The Gold Standard and his protege demand justice and they will surely be granted a title opportunity at the Royal Rumble.
But... but... Rusev Day! If recent reports are anything to go by, WWE has planned a big US title push and face turn for the lovable Bulgarian right. We say put the tag team titles around the waists of English and Rusev. Have Rusev defeat Brock Lesnar for the Universal title. Heck, put all the titles on the duo.
#3 The return of the Irish Lasskicker and one big RIOTT!
The first ever SmackDown Women's Champion is back just in time in a bid to create history at the Royal Rumble. But she has stiff resistance in a gang of rookies who despite being rip-offs of Absolution, are trying all so hard to look menacing.
Becky Lynch returns to in-ring action as she takes on Ruby Riott in a singles match. With retribution on her mind and Charlotte and Naomi by her side, Lynch would love to get some momentum on the road to the Rumble at the expense of the former NXT star.
As far as her best friend, Charlotte's title contender goes, there are currently no plans to have either Alexa Bliss or Charlotte defend at the Rumble. The champions will most likely be seated by ringside during the monumental match. A wasted opportunity you say?
#4 Konor and Viktor return!
To get squashed by the Bludgeon Brothers. In a nutshell, that's what will happen in a few hours. The longest reigning NXT Champions have attained some sort of relevancy by being an integral part of the popular Fashion Files. Who would have thought Breezango and Ascension would become best friends.
Breeze and Fandango have already fallen victims to the former Wyatt Family members and this week their buddies from the Wastelands will get their shot at avoiding the same.
This should be an easy win for the Harper and Rowan as they are expected to march en route to a tag team titles shot after Royal Rumble.
#5 Four angles, one convoluted feud
Daniel Bryan's yes chants may get the crowd going within a blink of an eye but even that wasn't enough to mask the mixed reactions when the SmackDown General Manager announced the handicap match for the WWE Champion between AJ Styles and Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn on last week's episode.
But where is the current arc leading too? Is Daniel Bryan returning for a dream match against AJ Styles at the show of shows?
Will Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn's renewed friendship sustain the test that comes along with the greed of capturing the WWE Championship in the picture? And will we finally see Shane McMahon undergo a typical McMahon transformation and assume a heel role for the first time in over 8 years?
WWE has a complex feud waiting for a worthy pay-off, which makes tonight's show an intriguing watch.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
