WWE SmackDown 5 Takeaways: AJ Styles’ Odds Improve Even In Defeat

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4. Chad Gable Looks Awesome In Rare Singles Opportunity

A key tag team match is set for the Royal Rumble between two of the best teams in the WWE.  The Usos will battle Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, but last night was all about singles action.

Two of the four participants in that tag team match battled last night when Jey Uso took on Chad Gable.  The winner would get momentum for not only himself, but his team leading into the Royal Rumble.  And as it turned out, both individuals would shine.

In particular, Gable really shined.  As a former amateur wrestler, Gable displayed a lot of pure wrestling and showed almost every weapon in his wide bag of tricks.  After a very solid match, Gable got the win and reminded everybody watching just how great of a wrestler he is.

Of course, Gable winning and getting momentum for him and Benjamin leading into the Royal Rumble is probably the kiss of death in their attempt to capture tag team gold.  But time will tell and, if nothing else, Gable showed he could have a solid singles career sometime down the road following his tag team stint.

Gable impressed greatly last night, but the question remains if he and Benjamin can do the same at the Royal Rumble and capture tag team gold.