5 Talking Points from WWE SmackDown (15th January 2021) - A big cop-out in the Universal Championship picture, possible heel turn

#4 Shinsuke Nakamura defeats Jey Uso convincingly in the opening match on SmackDown

.@ShinsukeN picks up the win over Jey @WWEUsos on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/J8eHvSj72F

— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2021

Jey Uso made his way to the ring to open SmackDown this week and announced himself as an entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble match. He declared SmackDown as 'The Bloodline Show' and stated that he and his cousin, WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, call the shots here.

Soon enough, Shinsuke Nakamura made his way to the ring with his old theme song, solidifying his face turn. He said that if Reigns is The Big Dog, Uso becomes his puppy. It was surprising to see SmackDown go ahead with a match so early into the show.

"You're about to get fired, messing with the chief." 😳#SmackDown @WWEUsos @WWERobinson pic.twitter.com/17YfVDRUt7

— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2021

The ensuing clash was pretty fun, with Jey Uso almost winning with a false finish, though the referee found his legs on the rope and nullified the pin. While Jey Uso was busy arguing with the referee, Nakamura took the opportunity to deliver a Kinshasa to him, to come up victorious.

Nakamura seems right on course of becoming the charismatic face he once was. And with Cesaro seemingly aligned with him, The King of Strong Style can soon fInd himself rising the cards, with a match against Reigns still a distant possibility.