Top five storylines to watch out for on WWE SmackDown tonight (January 17, 2025)

(Courtesy : WWE)
Storylines are brewing as the first PLE of 2025 approaches
The Stamford-based promotion is set to deliver on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown which will be aired live from the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. In the backdrop of the episode, storylines will continue to grow and stars will continue to announce their entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble.
The first Saturday Night’s Main Event of 2025 is also approaching and the promotion will likely announce more matches on this week’s episode. Two title matches are also set for the SNME January 25 edition.
Ahead of tonight’s show in San Diego, let us look at the top five storylines you need to watch out for ahead of SNME.
5. MCMG vs Los Garza
Former WWE Tag Team Champions Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) are set to lock horns with Los Garzas (Angel and Berto). This came after their respective bouts against A-Town Down Under and Pretty Deadly.
The winner of the bout will challenge the current Tag Champions, Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano (DIY). MCMG are looking to win the match and take on DIY to reclaim the title they lost, while Los Garzas wants to continue their upward ascendancy and claim victory against the former champs.
Also Read: WWE SmackDown (January 17, 2025): Match card, news, timings, telecast details
4. SNME build-up
The 01/17 episode of SmackDown will continue in RAW’s footsteps and will likely announce more matches for Saturday Night’s Main Event involving stars from the Blue brand. The next episode of the Blue brand will be the go-home show of the Blue brand for SNME.
The episode will likely contain segments and interactions which will lead to a match announcement between stars for the January 25 edition of SNME. Stars will likely announce their entries into the upcoming Royal Rumble PLE too tonight.
Also Read: All superstars confirmed for WWE SmackDown (January 17, 2025)
3. Tiffany Stratton’s first title defense
WWE Women’s World Champion Tiffany Stratton is set to defend her newly won title against Bayley on this week’s episode. The match was set up following Bayley’s win in the fatal-4-way match where the No. 1 Contender spot was on the line.
Although it seems like Nia Jax had shifted her focus elsewhere, she might interfre during the match and attack Tiffany for betraying her. Former NXT Champion Roxanne Perez is also an imminent threat for Bayley as the two stars were enaged in a brawl on the recent episode of NXT and it seems like the promotion is looking to promote Perez on the main roster.
2. LA Knight vs The Bloodline
Former United States Champion LA Knight in his attempt to regain the title took on the current Champion Shinsuke Nakamura in a rematch on the last wek’s episode. However, his plans were spoiled when Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga attacked him causing a disqualification.
Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Uso rushed in to aid Knight but the interfence shattered Knight’s dream of regaining the title which will irk the former champion. Knight will likely retaliate and demand a match against Jacob Fatu in order to teach him a lesson.
1. Solo Sikoa returns
The leader of the rogue Bloodline Solo Sikoa suffered a humiliating defeat against Roman Reigns in a tribal combat match at the historic debut episode of Monday Night Raw on Netflix. Sikoa not only lost the match which determined who the ‘real’ Tribal Chief is but also lost the Ula Fala.
Despite speculations, Sikoa did not make an appearance on the last week show and it was announced he will return on this week’s epsiode. It will be interesting to see how Sikoa responds to the loss and if he follows on his word of acknowledgin Reigns as his ‘Tribal Chief’.
Will Solo Sikoa go rogue or will he acknowledge Roman Reigns? What matches would you like to see on the January 25 edition of SNME? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.
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