WWE SmackDown Live: 5 things we learned from this week's episode (January 22, 2019)

#1 Mustafa Ali will emerge victorious at the end of the rivalry

Samoa Joe may have gotten the first victory, but it looks like Mustafa Ali will have the last laugh.

What seemed like a rivalry to keep two superstars engaged before the Royal Rumble seems to have developed into something better now and could go on to shine later on.

Joe hasn’t gotten many victories in the past year even though he has become SmackDown’s greatest villain, while Ali has jumped up extremely high with his high-flying style and landed with the elites of the brand.

While Joe has gotten the first victory in this rivalry, it doesn't look like he will get much of a push on SmackDown as he has already gotten into championship rivalries and failed repeatedly on both the main brands.

Ali, on the other hand, seems to be getting a push of a lifetime and we could see him get in contention for the WWE Championship by the end of this year or beginning of next year. Therefore, Joe will prove to be a hurdle in his way which he will overcome and win the rivalry between them to progress towards other threats.