SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER
JANUARY 23, 2018
WASHINGTON D.C. AT CAPITAL ONE ARENA
REPORT BY JOEY GALIZIA (@RamJam89)
ANNOUNCED BY WWE
- Ahead of their handicap two-on-one WWE title match on Sunday, the Yep movement looks to send a message to A.J. Styles.
- Naomi battles the Riott Squad’s Liv Morgan in singles action.
- New United States Champion Bobby Roode teams with the New Day to face Jinder Mahal, Rusev, and Aiden English.
- Who else will declare for the Royal Rumble match?
“FU… SION… HA”
While Raw was busy celebrating 25 years in the Big Apple last night, Smackdown prepares to invade D.C. on their last stop before the Royal Rumble this Sunday. WWE Champion A.J. Styles even made an appearance on the flagship show where he cut an “inspired” promo to Mean Gene Okerlund about his opponents Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, or as he now calls them, KAMI. You get it? It’s a mixture of Kevin and Sami! (Try to keep up.) The Phenomenal One has overcome numerous obstacles in his already historic career, but having to defend gold against two men who are working together may be his toughest one yet. As for this evening, expect the creators of the YEP movement to make a final declaration about how well they work together. Will their friendship hold strong, or will this be the catalyst that splits them up yet again? Five days until we know the answer.
“AMERICA IS NOW AND FOREVER… GLORIOUS”
In an effort to not overcrowd their card on Sunday WWE concluded the United States Championship tournament last week in Laredo Texas. The finals saw Bobby Roode defeat the former heavyweight champion of the world Jinder Mahal when he countered Jinder’s Khallas finisher into the Glorious DDT. This is Roode’s first title reign on the WWE main roster and hopefully he can give SD’s secondary belt a little bit of life in the upcoming Mania season. Jinder will have an opportunity at revenge however, as he teams up with Rusev and Aiden English to battle Roode and The New Day. Maybe Bobby could even endorse pancakes at some point.
“WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD MEN GONE”
-Women’s division action on tonight’s episode will see the Glow-Queen Naomi take on Liv Morgan from the Riott Squad. Naomi has had difficulty with SD’s newest faction ever since they debuted. A win tonight for either woman would certainly be a confidence booster before the first ever women’s Rumble in Philly.
-One bout that will have heavy expectations on Sunday is the Usos versus Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin for the SD tag-team titles. Jimmy and Jey have always been entertaining in-ring talents, but their character work transitioning away from the face paint and focusing more on their gritty street fight esque style has done them wonders. Gable and Benjamin have defeated the superkicking Samoans a couple times before but controversy has kept the belts off their shoulders. Will they be up to the challenge? I think they are. Until then…we’ll get Chad Gable and Jey Uso in a singles matchup tonight.
-Speaking of the tag-team scene. I thought we were going to see Rusev Day take on Breezango, but for now that has been shelved. What of the Bludgeon Brothers? Will all their destruction finally lead them to a shot at the gold?
-Plenty of spots left in both Rumble matches. Will more wrestlers declare their entry?
-This week’s Mixed-Match challenge tournament will see the unlikely alliance of Big E and Carmella (still with her MITB briefcase BTW) take on Asuka and the new Intercontinental Champion The Miz, or as they keep referring to themselves as…AWWWEE-SUKKA. They… will win. They… will win! THEY…WILL WIN!!!
Smackdown’s Go home show! Will Daniel Bryan and Shane add any intrigue? Find out tonight!
NOW REFRESH YOUR MEMORY ON LAST WEEK’S SMACKDOWN: KELLER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1/16: U.S. Title Tournament semi-finals with Xavier vs. Jinder, Roode vs. Mojo, Shane-Bryan drama continues
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