Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

WWE Smackdown Live preview and schedule: January 8, 2019

After two weeks of pre-recorded shows, WWE presents Smackdown Live from Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, where the build for Royal Rumble will be the main focus.

Triple Threat match to headline Smackdown Live (Images: WWE.com)

Bengaluru, January 8: After two weeks of pre-recorded shows, WWE presents Smackdown Live from Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, where the build for Royal Rumble will be the main focus.

Tonight on Smackdown, one contender match for the women's title and another potential contender's match in the tag team division will take place along side the usual build up for the next pay-per-view.

Sony TEN 1 will show WWE Smackdown Live in India on Wednesday (January 9) from 6.30 AM IST, while the repeat will air later in the day at 1 PM, 5 PM and 9 PM.

With just three weeks left for Royal Rumble, many superstars will confirm their entry into the 30-wrestler battle royal both form the men and women's division.

R-Truth and Carmella have already booked their number thirty slots for the event with their MMC final victory. So, the other slots will be filled starting from tonight.

Last night on Raw, John Cena also announced his enrty into the rumble. Meanwhile, the likes of Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe, the New Day, Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega have all confirmed their entries as well.

Here is what's in store for Smackdown in Jacksonville:

#1 contender match for Women’s Title at Royal Rumble

#1 contender match for Women’s Title at Royal Rumble

Last week, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Carmella all approached Triple H to state their case as to why they should be next in line to challenge Smackdown Women's Champion Asuka at Royal Rumble. So, the Game booked the three in a Triple Threat Match, with the winner moving on to face The Empress of Tomorrow in Phoenix.

Charlotte and Becky both feel that they should be Smackdown Women's Champion at this present moment and only are not because of Ronda Rousey's interference in their match against Asuka at WWE TLC.

Meanwhile, Carmella, who reigned as Champion for a staggering 130 days in 2018, has multiple victories over Flair, Lynch and Asuka, and believes that puts her right in line for another title opportunity.

The Usos to battle for Tag Team Championship opportunity

The Usos to battle for Tag Team Championship opportunity

The Usos finished 2018 with an incredible hot streak on the blue brand and will tonight aim to get one step closer to title contention when they face off with the reigning Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Bar. So, all eyes will be on the USOs to see if they can carry their 2018 form into 2019.

AJ Styles to confront WWE Champion Daniel Bryan

AJ Styles to confront WWE Champion Daniel Bryan

After the unusual motivation by Mr. McMahon was just what AJ Styles needed, the former champ is set to confront the current champion.

Last week, AJ Styles emerged victorious in a grueling Fatal-5 Way Match to earn a WWE Championship Match against Daniel Bryan at Royal Rumble. So, Styles will not waste anytime to resurrect his rivalry with the Superstar who ended his lengthy reign with the blue brand's top title.

Who will gain momentum for Royal Rumble Match?

Who will gain momentum for Royal Rumble Match?

As the 2019 Men's Royal Rumble Match draws near, more and more Superstars are throwing their names into the ring for the over-the-top-rope battle royal. Over the weekend, Samoa Joe and Jeff Hardy joined all three members of The New Day in declaring for the fray. Last night, John Cena also confirmed his entry.

Surely, these and any other competitors who may enter the Rumble will look to gain momentum as The Road to Wrestlemania kicks off.

Rusev seeks for retribution

Rusev seeks for retribution

Last week should have been a Happy New Year's Day and a Happy Rusev Day for new United States Champion Rusev. But, The Bulgarian Brute's championship celebration was cut short by former champion Shinsuke Nakamura.

The pair were involved in scrap which saw Rusev's wife, Lana, come to her husband's aid, only to be crushed by The King of Strong Style when Rusev hit him with a Machka Kick.

The Bulgarian Brute was downed after a Kinshasa. So, he will be looking for payback against The Artist tonight and this could lead to another title match between the two.

What’s next for Shane McMahon and The Miz?

What’s next for Shane McMahon and The Miz?

Two weeks ago, Shane McMahon finally backed down and agreed to become The Miz's new tag partner on an edition of Miz TV.

Last week, the two had a minor disagreement backstage when Miz showed Shane some designs of their possible new ring attire.

With the Road to Wrestlemania 35 set to kick-start tonight, expect more developments in this storyline tonight on Smackdown.

Apart from the aforementioned stars expect the likes of Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, The New Day, Sonya Deville, Mancy Rose and Sanity could also could make their presence felt on Smackdown.

Story first published: Tuesday, January 8, 2019, 17:56 [IST]
Other articles published on Jan 8, 2019