WWE SmackDown Live Preview: January 2, 2018

It's safe to say that WWE got lazy with the first episode of Raw. Brock Lesnar and Kane closed out the show with an error-riddled brawl that unsurprisingly had the entire roster at ringside.

The onus is now on WWE SmackDown to make amends and put forth two solid hours of sports entertainment. The build for Royal Rumble continues as the spots for both Rumble matches need filling, apart from the ambiguous titles scenes.

The tag team titles will be on the line as Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable would look to dethrone the Usos weeks before the Rumble. The US title tournament resumes as the final first-round matches are expected to take place.

That, and you AJ Styles, who is still without an opponent for the first big PPV of the year. The stage is set and all that's left is for WWE to deliver the goods. These are the five biggest talking points heading into tonight's episode:

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#5 WWE gold for the Gold Standard?

March 20th, 2009. That's the day Shelton Benjamin lost the United States title after holding onto the strap for an impressive 240 days. He subsequently left the WWE and nearly 8 years later, The Gold Standard is on the cusp of winning another title in the WWE.

The Usos have arguably been the best tag team of 2017 and dropping the titles days before the gigantic Rumble would seem like a major misstep. But if WWE can pair up Rollins and Jordan and make them the champions at the expense of The Bar, you can very well bet on another title change happening on tonight's SmackDown Live.

Benjamin and Gable have been working as pseudo-heels and could pick up a dirty win in order to prolong the feud and the Usos face turn.

But if 2017 was anything to go by, The Usos Penitentiary isn't a place that can be easily conquered.

#4 The Perfect turn?

Believe it or not, Tye Dillinger has been in and around WWE for over 10 years now. The 36-year-old veteran's utilisation on the roster leaves so much to be desired considering how massively over he is with the WWE Universe.

However, a drastic change could be in the works. The Perfect Ten seemingly turned during the recent round of live events when he delivered a cheap shot to Sin Cara and worked the match as a heel. This has led to speculation that a turn on television could be just around the corner.

It would seem illogical to turn a hot commodity heel but recent history (Zayn) suggests otherwise. While there is no dearth of heels on SmackDown, Dillinger's additions into the bad ranks wouldn't hurt either as it would give him a fresh direction. But will the potential gamble pay off?

#3 The US Championship Tournament

Tournaments in pro wrestling always work and for obvious reasons. So when Dolph Ziggler decided to pull off a CM Punk, WWE decided to go with their tried and tested booking option and announced a tournament to crown the new US Champion.

Baron Corbin and Jinder Mahal have already advanced to the semi-finals of the tourney after their respective wins over Bobby Roode and Tye Dillinger on last week's episode. WWE announced the two remaining first-round matches in which friend-turned-foes, Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder will take each other on in a grudge match.

Xavier Woods and Aiden English will battle it out for the final spot in the evenly-poised competition. If recent spoilers are to be believed, a WWE advertisement accidentally revealed the next title holder.

An advice. Ignore the spoiler and let things unfold in itself. Latest rumours suggest the reason WWE booked the tournament is to capitalize on Rusev's rousing popularity. He may not be a part of the tourney but WWE apparently has a plan for Machka and an impending face turn.

Good times ahead in the US title picture.

#2 The Rumble

Kurt Angle's confirmation that the Women's Rumble match would indeed be a traditional 30-woman encounter with similar rules as the men's match has set things up perfectly for the additions to come through thick and fast.

As of this writing, nine names have been locked in for the historic women's match with Asuka, Paige, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Naomi, Natalya and Ruby Riott confirming their availability. More names will surely join the fray tonight with the tantalizing possibility of a former star announcing their surprise inclusion.

Over to their male counterparts, there are 25 slots yet to be filled after five of the biggest superstars on the roster announced their participation in recent weeks. These include Finn Balor, Shinsuke Nakamura, John Cena, Bobby Roode and Randy Orton. WWE is taking its time and slowly lifting the veil off when it comes to the two important Royal Rumble matches.

#1 A guaranteed show-stealer

AJ Styles and Sami Zayn are two of the best in-ring workers in WWE. Thus, a main event between the two ought to get the fans -- the indie fanboys in particular -- excited about what could be in store.

A Kevin Owens' interference is almost certain and so are the assists from Randy Orton or Shinsuke Nakamura. Add to that the growing tensions between the two authority figures, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan, and you have a combustible atmosphere.

The first ever SmackDown clash between the Phenomenal One and El Generico will be a great wrestling match and we hope WWE let's the two do their thing before the outside shenanigans begin.

But in all of the chaos, we still don't know who AJ Styles will face at the Rumble? Will it be Zayn, Owens or both? Will Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura and Bobby Roode be patient and wait for their opportunity? And what's next in the volatile relationship between Shane O'Mac and D Bry?

The WWE Universe will get a clear picture in a few hours.