Top five storylines to watch out for on WWE SmackDown tonight (January 03, 2025)
(Courtesy : WWE)
The Blue brand expands to a three-hour format from tonight
The 01/03 show of the Blue brand will be the first episode of Friday Night SmackDown in 2025. The first episode will be aired live from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The 01/03 episode will also be a three-hour show, marking the Blue brand’s transition to a three-hour format.
The Stamford-based promotion will kick off the year with the electrifying three-hour show of Friday Night SmackDown from Pheonix. Multiple top stars are advertised for the show including Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax, LA Knight, Solo Sikoa, Kevin Owens, and more.
Let us take a look at the top five storylines that you need to watch out for on the first episode of 2025.
5. Braun Strowman – Carmelo Hayes feud
The recent tussle between Braun Strowman and Carmleo Hayes began when Strowman was revealed as the mystery opponent of Hayes. Braun quickly dismantled Hayes to pick up the win, but the story flipped on the next episode as Hayes defeated Strowman by a count out.
This prompted a chase where Hayes attacked Strowman backstage with a steel chair. However, this only made Strowman even more furious as he chased Hayes. In last week’s episode, Strowman got his hands on Hayes but the assault from Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline on Sami Zayn and Jey Uso forced his hand to rescue the two.
On this week’s episode, Strowman might challenge Hayes for another match. The possibility of the Bloodline targeting Strowman is also very high.
Also Read: WWE SmackDown (January 03, 2025): Match card, news, timings, telecast details
4. WWE Women’s Championship
WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax is scheduled for a title defense against one-half of the Tag Team Champion Naomi on the 01/03 show. This match was set following Noami and Bianca Belair’s successful tag title defense against Jax and Candice LeRae.
Jax’s friend Candice LeRae will most likely be present during the match to aid the champion in her defense. However, the most intriguing aspect of the match would be Tiffany Stratton who has been ostracized by Jax and LeRae in recent times.
Stratton holds the MITB briefcase which grants a title shot at the champion whenever she wants and there is a possibility that she might cash in on the first episode of 2025.
Also Read: All superstars confirmed for WWE SmackDown (January 03, 2025)
3. Street Profits discovers the truth
In last week’s episode, Apollo Crews revealed that Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa(#DIY) were the ones who attacked the Street Profits backstage ahead of their title match against MCMG. DIY took Street Profits’ spot and won the tag title albeit by landing a low blow.
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins (Street Profits) were wrongly informed by Preety Deadly that Los Garzas were the assailants. This led to a backstage brawl where Ford and Dawkins targeted Berto and Garza (Los Garza).
After discovering the truth, Ford and Dawkins will confront the Tag Team Champions and will likely demand their well-deserved title shot, things might turn ugly leading to a brawl between the two teams.
2. Shinsuke Nakamura vs Andrade
United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura will lock horns with Andrade in a non-title match in the first episode of 2025. The match was announced during the past week’s show where Andrade appeared in a video package challenging the champion.
Andrade will look to pin the champion and prove his case for a shot at the title, while Nakamura would look to defeat the rising threat to his US title reign. The match also has a high possibility of ending in a disqualification as LA Knight might look to exact his revenge on Nakamura.
1. Tribal Comat match build-up
‘The OTC’ Roman Reigns is scheduled to lock horns with Solo Sikoa in a tribal combat match for the sacred Ula Fala in the debut episode of Monday Night Raw on Netflix. The debut episode is scheduled for the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
In the 12/27 episode of the Blue brand, Solo Sikoa along with his Bloodline attacked Sami Zayn and Jey Uso. Sikoa took out Zayn with a brutal Samoan spike and sent a warning to the OTC ahead of their clash.
The first episode of the Blue brand in 2025 will be used to build up hype for the upcoming clash. Sikoa might cut a promo warning Reigns of what awaits him on January 6.
What are your expectations from the first episode of the Blue brand in 2025? How will Ford and Dawkins respond after finding out the truth? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.
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