5 Talking Points from this week's SmackDown (22nd January 2021) - Owens destroys Reigns, Intergender match steals the show

#2 WWE Women's Tag Team Champions score a big win on SmackDown

The WWE Women's Tag Team Champions are victorious on #SmackDown!@WWEAsuka @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/bFwobpVrJS

— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2021

In the opening match of this week's SmackDown, Women's Tag Team Champions Asuka and Charlotte defeated Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan. While the bout itself was short, The Riott Squad was booked well even in defeat. There was a moment in the bout where Ruby Riott almost scored a roll-up victory over Asuka. However, the referee was distracted by Billie Kay at that moment.

Even with the stars of Charlotte and Asuka's level in the mix, SmackDown creative wisely put the focus on the story of The Riott Squad and Billie Kay. Now that the former Ilconics member is seemingly out of the group, maybe an underdog performance at the Royal Rumble match is on the cards for her? Her current character is easy to relate with and root for, so it would be interesting to see how she's booked in the match.

"Billie, you're not getting it. There is no 'us.'" #SmackDown @RubyRiottWWE @YaOnlyLivvOnce @BillieKayWWE pic.twitter.com/U2r26FlKv3

— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2021

As for Asuka and Charlotte, there's a complete lack of viable challengers for their titles at the moment. While Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler are showing signs of breaking up, the win Lacey Evans and Peyton Royce accumulated recently over the champions hasn't added up to anything. The Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament can possibly present new teams who can compete for the title.