SmackDown Live

The first SmackDown of the new year opens with The New Day coming out for a New Years celebration.

Big E is dressed as the New Year's Baby. They all announce they will be in the Royal Rumble. Kofi goes on a bit of a rant about how he never gets title shots and Woods calms him down. Woods says their doctor told them not to eat anymore pancakes. They announced that all three of them are completing in the 2019 Royal Rumble Match. 

Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe won and advances to the Fatal 5 Way 1# Contender Match. 

Rusev and Lana came out for a Rusev Day celebration to commemorate his WWE United States Championship win last week, but he was attacked by Shinsuke Nakamura. 

Sonya Deville vs. Naomi 

Sonya Deville won 

During the match, Mandy told Naomi that she had been sending explicit photos of herself to Jimmy Uso to cause Naomi to get distracted and allowing Deville to get the win. 

John Cena comes out to make his return and Cena talks about how good it is to be back and references the strange 2018 he had. He gives his Bumblebee movie a plug before getting to why he is back. He makes a little joke about Nikki Bella and says he wants some competition. Instead of a guy, The Man Becky Lynch heads to the ring.  Becky told him that while John was gone, she became The Man on SmackDown Live, and if he had a problem with that, Nikki Bella won't be the only woman to drop him in 2018. Becky Lynch asks how it feels for Cena to be in the ring with her. She says she wants to take Cena's place as the face of the company. They are soon interrupted by Zelina Vega and Andrade Almas.

John Cena and Becky Lynch vs. Andrade Cien Almas and Zelina Vega 

Becky throws Cena out of the ring and makes Zelina tap to get the win. Cena offers his hand to Lynch after the match but she just does the You Can't See Me gesture and leaves.

The Miz and Shane McMahon have a segment backstage and they talk about what they should wear as a unified tag team, Miz wants Shane to dress like him, which Shane didn't seem to really agree with. 

Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Carmella made their case on how they should get the next SmackDown Women's Championship opportunity, Triple H said he will take it under advisement and will let everyone know will decision soon.

 AJ Styles vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Randy Orton vs. Samoa Joe and Mustafa Ali in a Fatal 5 -Way Match to become #1 Contender to the WWE Championship 

AJ Styles won and is the New #1 Contender to the WWE Championship and will be facing Daniel Bryan at Royal Rumble. 

The Show ends with AJ Styles celebrating.

Rating: 80/80 

The show had some decent matches and segments leading to Royal Rumble.