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The following does NOT contain spoilers for SmackDown Live
It's the first episode of SmackDown Live in 2019, and it promises to be an exciting one! RAW had low expectations this week, but it delivered more than expected (at least to those who read the spoilers).
SmackDown Live has undoubtedly been the more exciting show recently, and this week is likely going to be even more exciting. Things are beginning to heat up as we head towards the Royal Rumble, and there hasn't even been a match from the blue brand announced yet! (Asuka vs Becky Lynch was announced but Paige pulled it from the card, for some weird reason).
Either way, there's a lot that's been going on, from an unlikely new tag team duo to a new champion on the block to the head of the McMahon family Vince McMahon getting into an altercation with AJ Styles. There's going to be quite a fallout from last week, and here's what you should expect from the blue brand tonight!
The women's division gets back into it
Last week, for some reason, there wasn't any segment or match involving the women. This came as quite a surprise, as the women of the blue brand have been front and center in the last few months, even main eventing TLC.
This week, however, don't expect them to sit on the sidelines. Becky Lynch is still going to have her eyes on Asuka and the Women's title, while Charlotte may have her focus on Ronda Rousey.
Naomi and Mandy Rose, on the other hand, have been getting into a rivalry, with Rose trying to seduce Jimmy Uso to get back at Naomi. Jimmy Uso hasn't fallen for it thankfully, but Rose is quite a persistent one and will likely go to all sorts of lengths to humiliate Naomi.
What's going to happen in the women's division?
Rusev reigns supreme as United States Champion
What a week it was for Rusev! The Bulgarian Brute is now the new champion on the block, having captured his third United States title in the final WWE match of 2018. He overcame a strong champion in Shinsuke Nakamura.
It's going to be interesting to see what he does as champion. The Rusev that just won the US title is a very different Rusev from the last two reigns. Nakamura won't just stand by the sidelines. He's going to retaliate. The question is how the new champion deals with it.
Rusev now has the approval of the WWE Universe and by his side, he's become stronger. With him winning the title on Christmas, which also happens to be his birthday (and Rusev Day!), it's going to be interesting to see what he has to say. Will he be a true fighting champion?
The New Day's New Year Celebration
It wouldn't be a New Year without a New Year's celebration, would it? Thankfully, no three Superstars in WWE know how to party better than The New Day themselves! The 5-time champions are going to bring a new year celebration to you and it's most definitely going to be a lot of fun and games (granted no one interferes).
But despite this, The New Day are a lot smarter than people give them credit for. They may joke and dance and throw pancakes around, but there's a reason they've been together so long and there's a reason why they are record-breaking tag team champions.
It's very likely that the trio will announce their entry to the Royal Rumble, becoming the first superstars from the blue brand to do so (excluding R-Truth and Carmella, of course). But before all of that, it's party time!
The best tag team in the world begin their run
For weeks since Crown Jewel, The Miz has been singing Shane McMahon's praises, acknowledging himself and McMahon as the co-best in the world. His obsession has gone to such an extent that he even treats the World Cup trophy like a baby!
He's been pestering Shane McMahon to form "The Best Tag Team In The World", and McMahon, who's not usually a full-time competitor, finally agreed last week to join forces with The Miz, telling The A-Lister "not to screw him".
It's an odd pairing but one that's most definitely welcome as a fresh addition to the tag team division. From the look of things, it seems like they're finally set to begin their run as a team. What will be the implications to the tag team division? Are Sheamus and Cesaro in trouble with this new dream team?
John Cena returns
John Cena returns to WWE weekly television after a long time. The Free Agent hasn't been seen since his Super Show-Down match at Australia. Upon his own admission, a lot of things are changing in his life.
He's not a full-time WWE superstar and hasn't been one in the last three years. He's the one superstar who gets to perform on both RAW and SmackDown and he's even been announced for a RAW appearance next week.
With a head full of hair, Cena looks like a different person and it's going to be interesting to see what he has to say or do. He's officially now in "special attraction" category, so we'll be lucky if we even get to see him wrestle.
Either way, it's always pleasant to see the leader of the Cenation back, and his return definitely makes this one of the most anticipated SmackDown episodes in a while.
The fallout of the AJ Styles-Vince McMahon saga
Last week, after Rusev stood tall, the final segment saw AJ Styles walk into Vince McMahon's office. McMahon questioned Styles' drive, asking why he wasn't competing if SmackDown Live is the house that he built.
McMahon then pulled a trigger in Styles. He told him that they're a lot alike, and told Styles that he had seen many stars in the past come, win championship gold, make money, get complacent and leave.
He urged Styles to bring out his inner animal and went so far as to slap him, instinctively forcing Styles to retaliate. After Styles forcibly left, McMahon was asked if he was alright, and he gave a grin and said that he was fine.
It was the reaction that Vince McMahon wanted, and he got it. The question is as to whether they're going to have another confrontation this week. Either way, McMahon lit a fire under Styles and the fallout of it all may be more impactful to 2019 than most people realize. Will we see the Real AJ Styles?
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