# SmackDown LIVE preview, Jan. 8, 2019: Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Carmella square off for Royal Rumble title opportunity

* Triple Threat Match to decide who will square off against Asuka for the SmackDown Women’s Title at Royal Rumble
* The Usos to battle The Bar with a SmackDown Tag Team Championship opportunity on the line
* AJ Styles to confront WWE Champion Daniel Bryan
* Who will gain momentum heading into the Men’s Royal Rumble Match?
* Will Rusev be looking for retribution?

# AJ Styles to confront WWE Champion Daniel Bryan

* Apparently, the unusual motivation of Mr. McMahon was just what AJ Styles neeeded.
Just one week after being slapped in the face by the WWE Chairman (and then punching him in the face), AJ Styles emerged victorious in a grueling Fatal-5 Way Match to earn a WWE Championship Match against Daniel Bryan at Royal Rumble. However, Styles will not be wasting any time in rekindling his rivalry with the Superstar who ended his lengthy reign with the blue brand’s top title.
What will happen when The Phenomenal One confronts “The New” Daniel Bryan?

# Who will gain momentum heading into the Men’s Royal Rumble Match?

* As the 2019 Men’s Royal Rumble Match draws near, more and more Superstars are throwing their names into the ring for the over-the-top-rope battle royal. Over the weekend, Samoa Joe and Jeff Hardy joined all three members of The New Day in declaring for the fray.
Surely, these and any other competitors who may enter the Rumble will look to gain momentum as The Road to WrestleMania kicks off. What will they be willing to do?

# Triple Threat Match to decide who will square off against Asuka for the SmackDown Women’s Title at Royal Rumble

* Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Carmella all staked their claims as to why they would be most deserving to face off against SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka at Royal Rumble last week. All three Superstars will now get their chance as they’ll square off in a Triple Threat Match tonight on SmackDown LIVE and the winner will move on to face Asuka for the title in Phoenix, Arizona on Jan. 27.
Charlotte and Becky both feel that they should be SmackDown Women’s Champion at this present moment and only are not because of Ronda Rousey’s interference in their match against Asuka at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs. Carmella, who reigned as SmackDown Women’s Champion for a staggering 130 days in 2018, has multiple victories over Flair, Lynch and Asuka, and believes that puts her right in line for another title opportunity.
All of this has been taken under consideration by the McMahon family, and now the three top challengers will collide tonight on the blue brand to prove who is most ready for Asuka next. Who will prevail?

# The Usos to battle The Bar with a SmackDown Tag Team Championship opportunity on the line

* The Usos finished off 2018 with an incredible hot streak on the blue brand and now will aim to get one step closer to title contention when they face off with the reigning SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bar tonight on SmackDown LIVE.
In a high-stakes match, Jimmy & Jey will face off against Sheamus & Cesaro and, if The Usos can prevail, they will receive a future SmackDown Tag Team Title opportunity.
Can The Usos carry their 2018 success into the new year? Or, will The Bar bring the storied tag team back down to earth?

# Will Rusev be looking for retribution?

* Last Tuesday should have been a Happy New Year’s Day and a Happy Rusev Day for new United States Champion Rusev. However, The Bulgarian Brute’s championship celebration was cut short by former champion Shinsuke Nakamura. That set off a scrap which saw Rusev’s wife, Lana, come to her husband’s aid, only to be crushed by The King of Strong Style when Rusev hit him with a Machka Kick.
The Bulgarian Brute was downed after a Kinshasa. Will he be looking for payback against The Artist? Find out tonight on SmackDown LIVE at 8/7 C on USA Network!