Smackdown Live is coming up with the final episode tonight prior to the Royal Rumble event. Already a number of segments are official to hype up this edition of the show. The Boss is coming back for one special segment which makes the stakes all-time high. He will moderate a face-to-face confrontation between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan. Also, the personal rivalry between Naomi and Mandy Rose will produce a match.
Apart from this, two special matches are also there on the match card. Rey Mysterio will take on Andrade Cien Almas in a very special capacity. Plus, Mustafa Ali will be in singles competition against Samoa Joe for the first time ever on Smackdown Live. Alongside this, we expect one final hype for Royal Rumble when the show airs from the INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas.
Video: Ring broke during AJ Styles match at WWE Live
The WWE Championship will be on the line between Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles at Royal Rumble. So a final face-off was bound to happen to hype this match up. Since this is a repeated lineup, additional capacity was needed. Who better to provide that apart from Vince McMahon himself. Here’s how WWE is promoting this appearance,
“With both Superstars having attacked each other in arena concourses over consecutive weeks, animosity is running at an all-time high in this incredibly personal rivalry. And now, with Mr. McMahon moderating, who only a few weeks ago urged The Phenomenal One to bring out “the real” AJ Styles, will matter boil over just five nights before they square off at Royal Rumble?”
For weeks now, we are seeing Vince McMahon willing to bring out the real AJ Styles on Smackdown. He will continue instigating the former champion no matter what. We expect The Boss to hint a major twist that is in-store at Royal Rumble. We might see a surprise interference on that night. McMahon might just add a special stipulation into this WWE title match, as well.
Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade Cien Almas was a pure classic on last week’s Smackdown. The audience wanted to see more of these on the social media. So the rematch is on in a 2-out-of-3 falls match where whoever gets two pinfalls will pick up the win. Zelina Vega is playing a vital role for Andrade. She might turn out to be the deciding factor yet again. Her presence is a big reason why Andrade is the favorite to win tonight’s match.
Naomi has been upset over Mandy Rose stalking her husband for weeks. She has also threatened to end her marriage for good since the two just can’t stand each other. Naomi finally got the chance to let Mandy feel the glow tonight. But the Golden Goddess is on a roll, lately. It will not be easy for the former champion to put Mandy away with the mind games continuing.
Mustafa Ali felt the wrath of Samoa Joe on last week’s edition of Smackdown. He is getting the opportunity to seek retribution against the Samoan Submission Machine in a one-on-one match. The contest stands absolutely 50-50 at this point. It will be interesting to see which superstar WWE chooses to give the momentum before this Sunday’s Royal Rumble.
Another solid match will be on the match card of Smackdown Live when The Miz goes one-on-one against Cesaro. The bout happens only five night before Miz-McMahon challenges The Bar for the Smackdown tag team titles at Royal Rumble. The contenders are having the momentums by their side with Miz’s win from last week. Will they be able to keep it the same way? We will find out when the show airs, tonight.