WWE SmackDown Preview: Intergender Match, NXT Call Up Teased For This Friday

On this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown, there is one scheduled segment: Bianca Belair vs. Bayley in an Obstacle Course. There is also one scheduled title match: Big E (c) vs. Apollo Crews for the Intercontinental Championship. Daniel Bryan, Otis, Jey Uso and Cesaro from WWE SmackDown will partake in the Men’s Royal Rumble, while Bianca Belair and Bayley from WWE SmackDown will partake in the Women’s Royal Rumble.

Speaking of WWE Royal Rumble 2021, there is one title match scheduled from the blue brand: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship. Some other title matches that could be added are: Sasha Banks (c) vs. Carmella for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, Big E (c) vs. Apollo Crews vs. Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship, and Dirty Dawgs (c) vs. Street Profits for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

WWE SmackDown is scheduled to take place on January 15, 2021 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT live on FOX. The following is a preview for this week’s show.

Bianca Belair vs. Bayley [Obstacle Course]

On last week’s WWE SmackDown, Bayley hosted her new show called ‘Ding Dong! Hello” and challenged Bianca Belair to an obstacle course for this week’s episode. Although this is not a repeat of NXT from 2010, the obstacle course seems to be a means of reminding everyone of Belair’s track experience, which has been indicative of her athletic prowess inside the ring. Henceforth, Belair will evidently win the obstacle course to solidify her noteworthy attributes.

Once Belair wins, Bayley will very likely play the typical heel shtick of being a sore loser about the result and attack Belair afterward to set up a match at the Rumble or merely continue her feud with Belair in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match itself. Belair still needs her babyface comeuppance after losing to Bayley in their first bout, so either defeating Bayley in a rematch or eliminating her in the Rumble should be sufficient in that regard.

Big E (c) vs. Apollo Crews [Intercontinental Championship]

On last week’s WWE SmackDown, Apollo Crews defeated Sami Zayn through nefarious means (i.e. pulling of the tights) to earn another shot at Big E’s Intercontinental Championship. Crews had a valid reason for an Intercontinental Championship rematch after his double pinfall finish with Big E two weeks ago. His teased alliance with Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and Jey Uso could also symbolize a forthcoming heel turn that might result in a midcard push.

However, there’s no way Sami Zayn will take his loss to Apollo Crews lightly, especially after the pulling of the tights. This title match between Big E and Crews will end inconclusively via disqualification after Sami Zayn interferes. This will probably be WWE’s way of setting up a triple threat Intercontinental Championship match at the Royal Rumble, teasing the idea that E could lose the title to Crews without getting pinned and still remain protected in defeat.

Will There Be An Intergender Match And/Or NXT Call Up This Week?

On last week’s WWE SmackDown, Sasha Banks challenged Reginald, Carmella’s special sommelier, to a match. It is unknown whether that match will occur on this episode or next week’s episode. However, Banks did assert that she wants to be in the ring with Reginald before she goes to war with Carmella at the Royal Rumble. Banks will win because she probably wants to take him out of commission so that he won’t be a distraction in her upcoming title match with Carmella.

On last week’s WWE SmackDown, King Corbin defeated Rey Mysterio after bullying Dominick Mysterio on commentary. Dominick seemed heated at Corbin’s actions, but Mysterio calmed him down to help him realize that he has a smarter plan to take down Corbin than simply battling him in grudge matches. Mysterio mentioned that Corbin is a former Golden Gloves Boxer, and he knows just the guy they need to talk to take Corbin down.

Damian Priest has a background in mixed martial arts, which could blend well or level up to Corbin’s boxing experience. Corey Graves also mentioned on commentary that Dominick may need a ‘priest’ for help to take down Corbin. Damian’s last in-ring name is Priest, so it would make sense to consider that a clear hint at an NXT call-up for Damian Priest on this week’s episode. In fact, there were even rumors about his call up after he lost to Karrion Kross in NXT.

Those rumors indicated that his originally planned storyline was with Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens in the Universal Title picture. After that idea was reportedly nixed for valid reasons, it seems that this storyline involving Corbin and the Mysterios could be the plan B for Damian Priest on SmackDown. Could Damian Priest’ call up to the main roster boom or bust on the road to WrestleMania 37? Stay tuned.