3 Things we could see on the first SmackDown episode of the year (3 January 2020)

WWE will be wanting to commence the new year with a bang. Since Royal Rumble is not too far away, and the build-ups must progress further, SmackDown is expected to be a great show this week.

Last week's episode of the Blue brand was much better than expected. Alexa Bliss returned with 'A Moment of Bliss', with Lacey Evans as her guest. The Sassy Southern Belle eventually faced off against Sasha Banks and Bayley, teaming up with Dana Brooke. Carmella continued her impressive run with a win over Mandy Rose.

Beating Baron Corbin and The Miz, Daniel Bryan became the number one contender for the Universal Championship. Braun Strowman's dance with The New Day after their team picked up a win against Shinsuke Nakamura, Sami Zayn, and Cesaro was one of the highlights of the show.

WWE would want to keep the momentum going into 2020 and here are three things we could see on the Blue brand this week:

#3 Roman Reigns humiliating Baron Corbin

Since the beginning of this rivalry, Roman Reigns hasn't had a moment of peace. King Corbin has reigned supreme in this feud so far, not only by embarrassing The Big Dog but also by pinning him twice. Even though many speculated that TLC was their final bout, last week's episode of SmackDown clarified it wasn't.

The Big Dog viciously assaulted Corbin when the latter was making his entrance for the triple threat match at the beginning of the show. Reigns then assaulted him again in the main event for the night, furthering their rivalry in the process.

The Big Dog will surely be aiming for redemption and will also try to humiliate Corbin, especially considering how the latter had mortified the former with dog food as well as a dog mascot.

Therefore, it will not be surprising if Reigns goes extreme and embarrasses Corbin in a bad way on SmackDown this week.

#2 Sonya Deville turns on Mandy Rose

Fire & Desire, consisting of Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose, have been together for quite a while. They made their debut on the main roster with Paige (the trio was known as Absolution). Even after Paige's departure, they have been a tag team for a long time, challenging for the Women's Tag Team Championship in the past.

Since the tag team belts are on RAW at the moment, both the ladies have not been involved in a major storyline of late. Although both have taken on Carmella in separate singles matches in the past few weeks, there has been nothing substantial for either of the two to build on.

When Deville lost to The Princess of Staten Island two weeks ago, Rose wasn't by her side. To return the favor, the latter also didn't accompany the former to the ringside last week.

Since they weren't there for each other in the past couple of weeks, it is clear that there is a disagreement between the two best friends, and it's only a matter of time before they turn on each other. A betrayal could lead to an interesting rivalry, and it just might happen on this week's episode.

#1 The Universal Championship match gets a new stipulation

WWE confirmed its first title match for Royal Rumble on SmackDown last week when the Universal Championship match was finalized. Daniel Bryan, who overcame The Miz and Baron Corbin in last week's triple threat match, will take on The Fiend for the most coveted prize of the Blue brand.

Bryan will get another chance to win the Universal Championship, having received the first opportunity at Survivor Series last year, where he was comprehensively beaten by his paranormal opponent.

The match was one with normal stipulation and it is likely that the company could make their rematch at Royal Rumble interesting, possibly by adding a stipulation.

When The Fiend wrestled Seth Rollins in a Falls Count Anywhere match at Crown Jewel, it was one of the best matches of the show.

If this match between The Fiend and Bryan becomes a Last Man Standing match or a No Disqualification match, the two men could tear the house down at Royal Rumble and this could be made possible on this week's episode.