WWE SmackDown (1st January 2021): Talking Points - A major return, Kevin Owens brutalized yet again 

#2 Big E to defend his Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown next week against Apollo Crews

NEXT FRIDAY on #SmackDown...@WWEBigE puts the #ICTitle on the line against @WWEApollo! pic.twitter.com/VorB04AtnX

— WWE (@WWE) January 2, 2021

The scheduled match between King Corbin and Intercontinental champion Big E on SmackDown was quickly interrupted by Sami Zayn, who unleashed a beatdown on the New Day member. Apollo Crews made his way to ring to even the odds.

Quite predictably, a tag team match was booked between the New Day stablemate and Crews against Zayn and Corbin. What happened during this match was the intriguing part. While the champion and Crews were on the same page, the heel duo came to blows on more than one occasion.

.@WWEBigE and @WWEApollo pick up the win on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/5tXhcI6UqE

— WWE (@WWE) January 2, 2021

It led to The Lone Wolf leaving the match midway, thus leaving The Great Liberator alone in the ring. Crews then secured the win for his team. The former Us Champion would be getting a title shot next week after he accepted the open challenge from Big E.

Though it's hard to imagine Crews walking away with the title on SmackDown, it would be a huge opportunity for him to show his worth on this stacked roster. Corbin and Zayn could be lurking around and might make their presence felt during the match.