5 things you need to know before tonight's WWE SmackDown Live (January 15, 2019)

Bryan and Styles will continue to battle less than two weeks before their Royal Rumble title match
Bryan and Styles will continue to battle less than two weeks before their Royal Rumble title match

In just a few short hours, the WWE will host the latest episode of SmackDown Live, which will no doubt be feeling the fallout of last night's historic Monday Night RAW.

As the Royal Rumble pay per view draws nearer, more and more superstars will be hoping to add their names to the hat, with the Rumble match being the ultimate first class ticket to WrestleMania, and a chance to become a champion at the iconic show this coming April.

But before WrestleMania, and before the Royal Rumble, the men and women will have to survive what the McMahon family have planned for tonight.

Plenty has already been promised for tonight's big episode, and we're sure there will be a few surprises along the way.

Here are five things you need to know before tonight's edition of WWE SmackDown Live.


#5 An A-List birthday celebration for Shane McMahon

What could The Miz have in mind when he throws his tag team partner a birthday celebration tonight?
What could The Miz have in mind when he throws his tag team partner a birthday celebration tonight?

If you didn't know, today, January 15, is the 49th birthday of SmackDown's very own Shane McMahon.

Throwing caution to the wind like a man much younger, McMahon has been one of WWE's most entertaining stars since his debut decades ago, and being part of some of WWE's most shocking moments.

Now officially in a tag team with The Miz, the A-Lister has promised to throw Shane-O-Mac a birthday party to remember, though who knows what the former WWE Champion thinks his tag team partner will enjoy.

And with a birthday party in WWE, there's no doubt that some guests may be ready to crash the party.

Well, if there's cake involved with any WWE party, we all know what's going to happen...

#4 Put your hair up and square up!

Both women will have a lot to prove when they meet in singles action tonight
Both women will have a lot to prove when they meet in singles action tonight

Carmella may not have become the number one contender for the SmackDown Women's Championship last week, but the Princess of Staten Island was certainly impressive.

Holding her own against both Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair, Carmella hoped to show every woman on the roster she means business.

Unfortunately, Sonya Deville was not impressed by the former champion, and after some barbs on social media, the pair will face off tonight.

It probably wasn't Carmella's best idea to try and drive a wedge between Deville and Mandy Rose, who has her own beef at the moment with Jey Uso.

With a huge announcement being made regarding the women's division (though we'll get to that later), the pressure is on for both superstars to prove themselves on SmackDown Live tonight.

#3 Mysterio and Almas to continue their epic feud

Mysterio will be hoping to continue his epic comeback to the company
Mysterio will be hoping to continue his epic comeback to the company

In 2019, Rey Mysterio continues to impress fans young and old, since his incredible return to the company that begun at SmackDown 1,000.

But for as many fans the Ultimate Underdog has, one person who is not fond of Mysterio is former NXT Champion Andrade 'Cien' Almas.

The two are certainly no strangers to each other, facing off in November last year in singles action, as well as in a tag team match last week.

In their third encounter, both men will be hoping to get the win, which will no doubt give the victor a boost of confidence this close to the Men's Royal Rumble match, a match Mysterio won in 2006.

And fans can never overlook the X-factor that is Zelina Vega at ringside tonight.

#2 Women's Tag Team Titles

Three teams from SmackDown Live will have the chance to be the first tag team champions
Three teams from SmackDown Live will have the chance to be the first tag team champions

Last night, the WWE shook their entire women's division to the core, by introducing the brand new Women's Tag Team Championship titles.

The new belts, which will give female tag teams a prize for the first time in decades, will be awarded to one of six teams at the upcoming Elimination Chamber pay per view.

For the 12 women involved, they have the chance to make history, but first, the WWE Universe will need to find out which teams will be involved.

With three teams from RAW and three teams from SmackDown Live being promised, perhaps the fans will get to see which women will be entering the historic match with their hopes of being crowned the brand new Women's Tag Team Champions, and be the first to hold those beautiful new championships.

#1 Bryan or Styles, who will be the most vicious?

Styles attacked the Champion last week after Bryan defeated R-Truth
Styles attacked the Champion last week after Bryan defeated R-Truth

As their WWE Championship rematch at the Royal Rumble draws nearer, champion Daniel Bryan and challenger AJ Styles have been doing everything to gain the upper hand.

Last week, Styles took it to the champ by attacking him after his match with R-Truth, whilst 'the new' Daniel Bryan retaliated with a scathing promo against the former Impact Wrestling star, promising him he will be the more vicious of the two.

Bryan has not shied away from dirty tactics since turning on the fans to capture the championship on SmackDown last November, so expect him to have the advantage.

Whatever happens, expect both men to throw caution to the wind as they continue to build momentum to what is seemingly going to be the final championship encounter between Styles and Bryan.

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