WWE SmackDown 5 Takeaways: Top Heel Duo Loses Momentum

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With Clash of Champions in the rear view mirror, the Dec. 19 edition of WWE SmackDown saw the fallout of the pay-per-view and what the blue brand can expect moving forward.

Last night’s WWE SmackDown was a show of significance in a few different facets and it also saw a a possible major, and unexpected, development from one of its champions.  We also saw the emergence of more championship threats.

The blue brand has several storylines to build around leading into the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in late January, but last night was a positive start.  With that being said, let’s take a look at five takeaways from the Dec. 19 edition of SmackDown.

5. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable Emerge as Top SmackDown Tag Team Championship Challengers

The development of Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable as a tag team on SmackDown has added quality depth to the blue brand’s tag team division.  And as time goes on, this team continues to get better.

Benjamin and Gable have had a select number of shots at The Usos’ SmackDown Tag Team Championship, but last night might have shown they are closer than you think to dethroning the standard bearer among SmackDown’s tag team division.  And considering how stellar SmackDown’s tag team division is at the moment, Benjamin and Gable are holding their own and standing out.

Following an impressive performance in a Fatal 4-Way tag team match at Clash of Champions, Benjamin and Gable squared off with The Usos last night and announced their presence in the tag team title race.  The duo knocked off Jimmy and Jey in impressive fashion to all but lock up another SmackDown Tag Team Championship opportunity in the near future.

Whether the match comes at the Royal Rumble or another edition of SmackDown leading up to the Royal Rumble, Benjamin and Gable will undoubtedly get another shot at tag team gold.  Maybe another team or two will join the fold again, but last night proved that Benjamin and Gable are the top candidates to dethrone The Usos.

SmackDown’s tag team division has been on lock by the Uso Penitentiary, but Benjamin and Gable might have found the key to unlock The Usos’ grip on the division.