WWE SmackDown! Live preview January 1: Watch online

Here’s all the information you need for the January 1, 2019 edition of WWE “SmackDown! Live.”

Two huge stories erupted out of last week’s Christmas night broadcast. First, Rusev shocked the world when he pinned Shinsuke Nakamura to recapture the WWE United States Championship. It was a brutal battle between the two, but it was a celebration for Rusev Day when all was said and done. But now that he’s regained the gold, what challenges will be waiting as he enters 2019 as a three-time champion?

The other huge story will have every eye in WWE waiting to see how it plays out. Last week, AJ Styles dropped Vince McMahon with a straight right hand. Mr. McMahon challenged the thought that if SmackDown! Live was truly the “House That AJ Styles built,” then why was he sitting on the sidelines while WWE Champion Daniel Bryan ran the show? Infuriated, Styles clocked the Chairman with a thunderous punch.

Now that the entire McMahon family has seized control of WWE, what will happen to Styles? What kind of consequences will he face for doing something very few people in the history of the company have had the guts to do?

Also, WWE will kick off 2019 with the return of John Cena. It will be the first time the leader of the Ce-Nation has been on SmackDown! Live in nearly a year, so you can bet he’ll be amped up in front of a live crowd. Now that we’re on the march to the Royal Rumble, don’t be surprised if an announcement comes soon about his possible involvement.

Oh, and with it being New Year’s night and all, the pancake-loving members of New Day will be in the house to throw a celebration fitting to ring in the new year. And you know all sorts of fun will be had when Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are near.

Date: Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Venue: PPG Paints Arena
TV Info: USA Network
Live Stream: USA Live

Folks, here we go. We’re about to embark on what will surely be a spectacular 2019. A lot is happening in the WWE Universe right now, and it’s a good time to be invested as a fan. We hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year!