The biggest winners and losers of last night's SmackDown (January 8)

Winners: Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura

Rusev has gained incredible popularity as a jovial, cheerful guy you'd like to hang out with, but he proved he can be the opposite last night. Although the bump Lana took the previous week was nothing special, Rusev sold it like it was the most serious thing in the world.

Nakamura, for his part, taunted Rusev backstage and then ambushed him, laying him out. He feels more relevant after losing the United States Championship than throughout his entire five-month run with the gold.

This is nothing but good for both men and the US title, which languished throughout 2018, especially during Nakamura's reign. This is a good way to warm it up for better things in 2019.

It will likely find its way into a multi-man rivalry heading into WrestleMania as usual. Who will get involved? Will Mysterio and Almas somehow find their way into the title hunt?