WWE SmackDown Grades: The Real AJ Styles Is Royal Rumble Bound

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The Jan. 1 edition of WWE SmackDown kicked off the new year on a positive note for the blue brand with a pretty impactful show from top to bottom, featuring the return of a 16-time world champion.

The first WWE SmackDown of 2019 was a nice way to ring in the new year as John Cena made his on-screen return and the new number one contender for the WWE Championship was crowned.

With the Royal Rumble on deck in a few weeks, the blue brand has plenty of momentum heading into one of the biggest events of the year.  Let’s take a look at a few grades from the Jan. 1 edition of WWE SmackDown.

5. Opening Segment

The start of the new year is a celebration unlike any other with folks everywhere looking to become a new person.  A trio of colorful superstars in the WWE that have no plans of changing any time soon are known as The New Day.

Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods are among the most entertaining superstars in WWE history, so what better way to open up 2019 in the WWE than kicking off last night’s SmackDown with The New Day?  That’s exactly what happened last night and, like only they can, The New Day rang in the new year.

They addressed the WWE universe in their usual entertaining way, with Big E dressed as a baby no less.  They made cultural movie references, took a shot at Brock Lesnar, and announced they would all be participating in the Royal Rumble match later this month, just to name a few.  It was vintage New Day, even if it wasn’t the most exciting segment they’ve ever had.

The trio finished things off by introducing the following match between Jeff Hardy and Samoa Joe.  Overall, this segment was pretty standard stuff and vintage New Day at the same time.  They always find a way to be entertaining and last night was no exception as they look to have a huge 2019.

New Day rocks and The New Day kicked off the new year in style like only they can.

Final Grade: B