SmackDown Preview: Huge return after 9 years, The Fiend to take control of Daniel Bryan's ex-partner (January 17th, 2020)

Welcome to this week's edition of Friday Night SmackDown preview! It's the penultimate episode of the Royal Rumble and things are heating up. While Monday Night RAW has undeniably had better momentum (and overall programming), SmackDown has been good on its own right, producing some new feuds, big returns, and a promising future.

While we would like to see some of the younger superstars get more time to shine, TV time is certainly going to be packed to the brim ahead of the Royal Rumble - which subsequently kicks off the biggest and most exciting season of the year. Time flies by quickly and yet another WrestleMania season approaches.

Tonight's episode of Friday Night SmackDown is going to be an interesting one as we have a huge main event, a big return, a grudge match and more. Here's what you need to look forward to!

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#5. John Morrison makes his in-ring return against Big E

Big E vs John Morrison

This is going to be exciting! Last week, The Miz took on former WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, with John Morrison sitting ringside. Morrison made a direct impact, causing a distraction and attacking Big E, allowing The Miz to hit the Skull Crushing Finale on Kingston and getting the pin.

Morrison faces Big E in his in-ring return to WWE after nearly nine years away! It's been that long and we can't wait to see what he has in store? If you've followed him outside - whether it was in AAA, Impact Wrestling, or Lucha Underground, you know that he's only gotten better with age. It's not often that a wrestler can do that but as we've seen with Rey Mysterio, it's more than possible.

Who will walk out victorious? Will Big E play the spoils for Morrison's debut.

#3. Kane returns to SmackDown

He's back!

Kane is back! The Big Red Machine will be making his return to SmackDown after nearly one and a half years away. The last time we saw him was around July 2018 when he returned to save Daniel Bryan from the wrath of The Bludgeon Brothers.

Ultimately, it ended up with Team Hell No reuniting in an unsuccessful effort against Rowan & Harper. Kane did make appearances since then but on RAW. The first was to team with The Undertaker against DX and the second was last year when he appeared in his Mayoral duty and briefly won the 24/7 Championship.

Kane's unexpected appearance on SmackDown could only mean one thing - control from The Fiend. Both Kane and Bryan have a history with Bray Wyatt and as you know, The Fiend has been playing all sorts of mind games with Daniel Bryan.

Don't be surprised to see Kane go under the control of The Fiend and attack Daniel Bryan when he least expects. Either that, or he's going to be a victim of a major assault from The Universal Champion. It's going to be an important segment that'll have some major effects on the long-term story between Bryan and The Fiend.

#2. Lacey Evans takes on Sasha Banks after last week's cancelation

Lacey Evans vs Sasha Banks

Last week, Lacey Evans was supposed to take on Sasha Banks after all the build, but Sasha Banks' music played, only for her not to come out. Bayley revealed that she wasn't even present in the host city and she was busy recording a new song.

That's some kind of flex from The Boss and Lacey Evans and Bayley had a backstage brawl to heat up the rivalry. It was announced that this week, the two will finally face off and it's going to be an exciting match - given that Sasha Banks shows up and doesn't cancel again.

One would imagine that a win over Sasha Banks would instantly put her in title contention. Surprisingly, a match between Lacey Evans and Bayley for the Royal Rumble hasn't been announced already given that they've been having a rivalry since post-Survivor Series.

Either way, the numbers game won't be in favor of Evans unless and until Dana Brooke is by her side. The latter has been getting a lot more TV time of late and could have a big role to play. Perhaps their alliance could have a big role to play soon.

#1. Roman Reigns takes on the returning Robert Roode in a tables match

Roman Reigns vs Robert Roode

Last week, the main event saw The Usos make their in-ring return against King Corbin and Dolph Ziggler. Roman Reigns was ringside and caused a DQ after he speared Corbin at ringside. While the beatdown seemed to be going in his favor, it was the returning Robert Roode who made the difference - attacking Reigns from behind and assisting Corbin and Ziggler in sending him through a table.

Roode returned exactly a month after his suspension for violating WWE's Wellness Policy and he wasted no time in getting right back into the mix. Reigns is now set to take on Robert Roode in the latter's in-ring return and the stipulation is a tables match - making it an exciting one.

This is merely days before a ladders match on RAW between Rey Mysterio and Andrade. But before we get ahead of ourselves, this tables match is what you should be most excited about on SmackDown.

There's no doubt that King Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, and The Usos are all going to be involved at ringside, which makes it somewhat fair since the numbers game is now even.