WWE SmackDown Preview: January 8th, 2019

It's the second SmackDown episode of 2019 and we're off to a bang. RAW had a decent episode at best. It started off good but faced a slump from the Braun Strowman-Brock Lesnar segment. But that was RAW, and this is SmackDown Live!

Last week, the main event saw an incredible fatal-5-way match to determine Daniel Bryan's WWE title contender. Shinsuke Nakamura played the spoils on Rusev's United States Championship celebration, while Mandy Rose continued to get under Naomi's skin, assisting Sonya DeVille to beat the former champion.

The most notable event was undoubtedly Becky Lynch getting in the face of John Cena, confronting him and stating her intentions to take even his spot if he got in her way. She teamed with him to defeat Andrade 'Cien' Almas and Zelina Vega, with Cena rather impressed with Lynch.

Without going any further, let's take a look at what to expect on SmackDown Live tonight!

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#5 The Usos take on The Bar with a title opportunity at stake

The Bar vs The Usos...again?

The Usos take on The Bar and if The Usos win, they'll earn a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, presumably at the Royal Rumble. Now, it's odd that they decided to go with this same match again, especially since The Bar clearly beat The New Day and The Usos.

Moreover, where does Sanity and Gallows & Anderson fit into the equation? They were involved a couple of weeks ago. Perhaps it's possible that they'll look to forcibly enter the title picture tonight by interfering in the match and costing one of the teams (or just a double DQ).

Either way, it's time to spice up the tag team division and The Good Brothers and Sanity entering would be a fresh change.

#4 Will Rusev retaliate at Shinsuke Nakamura?

Last week, Rusev and Lana were out to celebrate Rusev Day and the recent United States Championship victory. Rusev vowed to defend the title with honour as it should be. Shinsuke Nakamura, unfortunately, didn't share the same enthusiasm.

He sneaked in from behind and hit multiple kinshasas on the US Champion. Lana tried to get involved but was subsequently slammed on her back by Nakamura. With the rivalry clearly not over, how will Rusev retaliate?

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#3 The Royal Rumble momentum continues

So far, The New Day, Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe and Andrade 'Cien' Almas are the only SmackDown Live superstars to have announced their Royal Rumble entry.

Things are going to start getting heated up among the Rumble entrants, as they look to gain momentum heading into the PPV that kickstarts the road to WrestleMania.

Expect more entries into the Rumble tonight, and perhaps a match or two between entrants.

#2 AJ Styles to confront Daniel Bryan

It seems as though Vince McMahon got exactly what he wanted. He urged AJ Styles to bring out the animal in him, and last week, they had another tense confrontation, with Vince McMahon not at all being scared of Styles.

He clearly lit a fire under Styles, as The Phenomenal One overcame four other superstars to once again become #1 contender to the WWE Championship. He has his shot and for the fourth year in a row, will compete for the WWE title at the Royal Rumble.

Styles is set to confront Bryan tonight and restart their rivalry!

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#1 The women battle it out in a #1 contenders match

Last week, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Carmella got into a confrontation backstage as to who deserves a SmackDown women's title shot. Carmella entered the fray as well and we have a triple threat main event to determine Asuka's challenger at the Royal Rumble.

Why Carmella wants a title shot at the Rumble is surprising, given that she's already confirmed as entry #30 for the Rumble match. Which of the three women will stand tall? Find out more on SmackDown Live tonight!