Clash of Champions edition: 5 things that could happen on SmackDown live next week

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Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens will fight for their careers on Sunday

#2 Ruby Riott becomes #1 contender in battle royal

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Ruby Riott punishes Charlotte during their match on SmackDown Live

This will be the precursor to the announcement of a women's Royal Rumble. I don’t think the Women’s Rumble will be announced on this show or the episode of the RAW the night before, but on SmackDown this week, all of the women except for the Women’s Champion (either Charlotte or Natalya) will face off in an over-the-top battle royal to determine the next challenger for the championship.

Ruby Riott will win possibly by last eliminating a returning Becky Lynch (rumour is that Miz may return on Monday, so Becky could return on Tuesday since they were filming the same movie), or if Becky isn’t available, then Naomi. This will spawn discussion about a Royal Rumble match for the women, which will be announced fairly soon. My bet would be that Stephanie McMahon will return on the January 8th episode of RAW to announce it.