WWE SmackDown Preview: 15 January 2019

RAW was a pretty good show this week, and SmackDown Live will look to continue the momentum that the red brand built up across the three hours. The good news is that SmackDown Live has consistently been putting out good shows, in the weeks past.

This article will give you a glimpse of what you can expect on this week's edition of SmackDown Live. Some of the predictions stem from the segments that have already been announced on WWE.com. The others come from having watched and followed the show over the past few weeks and reviewing it for my 'Best and Worst' column.

What do you personally expect from this week's episode of SmackDown Live? Let me know in the comments.

Here's my attempt to get you excited for this week's episode of SmackDown Live.

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#5 Carmella takes on Sonya Deville

These two women got into a really heated war of words on Twitter, not long ago

Carmella has had a very strange WWE journey recently. While she had a fantastic heel run with James Ellsworth by her side, she has transitioned seamlessly into a babyface and has become a crowd favourite alongside her Mixed Match Challenge partner, R-Truth. This week, she takes on a very tough competitor in Sonya Deville.

She goes up against a woman who's been gradually climbing up the ranks on the blue brand, over the last few weeks with her incredible MMA prowess. Sonya Deville will look to mix it up with Carmella in a match that can potentially launch both women to the next level. Moreover, could it have future implications on the Women's Tag Team Championship picture?

Man I’m sorry I just ain’t gettin beat out by a dance break 🙈 #embarrassing https://t.co/H0JDkMYLie

— Daria Berenato (@SonyaDevilleWWE) January 12, 2019

We know that Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville are a team. Could Carmella become Naomi's tag team partner?

#4 Will Daniel Bryan unleash his newfound vicious side?

Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles could get into quite a fight before their Royal Rumble clash

Last week's show opened with Daniel Bryan in the concession stands. He made fun of the audience members who'd paid their hard earned money to see him in action. He made his way to the ring and ruffled quite a few feathers along the way. And then, he was attacked by R-Truth out of absolutely nowhere!

Daniel Bryan managed to put the threat of R-Truth at bay. But even after this was accomplished and Bryan walked up the ramp, yet another bulldog came baying for him. This was AJ Styles, the man who will take him on at Royal Rumble 2019.

Bryan vowed to showcase his own vicious side this week. Could we see a side of his personality we've never seen before?

I can't wait to find out!

#3 The greatest birthday bash in the world

This is a very weird pairing

Shane McMahon and The Miz make an odd pairing. It is even odder that they have a title shot at the Royal Rumble. Can this unlikely team coexist long enough to dethrone Cesaro and Sheamus? Well, this week will be the first test of many.

Shane McMahon turns 49 when SmackDown Live comes around. And The Miz wants to make Shane McMahon's special day even more special. He has planned special celebrations to make the occasion memorable.

It is almost a certainty that something will go down during the course of this segment, which will play into the upcoming Royal Rumble match. Whether it's interference from Cesaro and Sheamus or a dispute between the oddball tag team remains to be seen.

Whatever the case may be, I know that because of the men involved, the segment will be 'Awesome!'

#2 Becky Lynch and Asuka prepare for their clash

Whom will the crowd cheer when SmackDown Live comes around?

Becky Lynch stood tall at the end of SmackDown Live last week when she won a triple threat match. By winning the contest, she qualified for a match against Asuka at the Royal Rumble. The two women faced off at the tail end of the show.

Much like the RAW Women's Division, two crowd favourites will be clashing for the SmackDown Women's Championship on SmackDown Live too. It will be interesting to see which of the two women receives more support from the WWE Universe. It's hard to bet against 'The Man' considering the red hot streak that she is currently on.

Could we see a change in character from Asuka before the pay-per-view comes around to give a new twist to the proceedings? Asuka's never had a heel run so this could benefit her.

#1 Athleticism reaches a new height

This clash is almost certainly guaranteed to be a show stealer

I watched a Rey Mysterio match from 1997 not long ago. Shortly afterwards, I saw him compete on SmackDown Live. I must admit that there's very little difference between the two men and the level they compete at. Mysterio takes on one of the most dynamic superstars on the roster- Andrade 'Cien' Almas this week.

This will not be the first encounter between the two. Each time they've clashed in the past, they have impressed and left the WWE Universe begging for more. Mysterio needs to watch out for Zelina Vega, who is guaranteed to interfere in the match.

There's also the Rusev and Nakamura situation that has been spilling out of control in recent weeks. We haven't even mentioned the Jimmy Uso-Naomi-Mandy Rose situation that should reach boiling point soon.

Join us for our live coverage of SmackDown Live, ladies and gentlemen!