WWE SmackDown Predictions For January 13, 2023: Sami Zayn Will Officially Leave The Bloodline

WWE SmackDown is on the road to WWE Royal Rumble 2023. In this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown, there are two scheduled matches: Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn as well as Gunther (c) vs. Braun Strowman for the Intercontinental Championship.

In terms of the upcoming PPV, there is one SmackDown-affiliated match already scheduled in Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight in a Pitch Black match, and it is expected that Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Ronda Rousey (w/Shayna Baszler) as well as Karrion Kross vs. Rey Mysterio will be added to the card.

The following will provide some rapid-fire predictions for what should be an exciting show of WWE SmackDown tonight.

WWE SmackDown is scheduled to take place on January 13, 2023, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT live on FOX. Here are some predictions for this week’s show.

Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn [Grudge Match]

Kevin Owens will defeat Sami Zayn because he needs to maintain his momentum on the road to the Rumble as the number one contender to the World Title. Sami Zayn could very well be the special guest referee for their title match because Reigns will want to see where Zayn’s loyalty lies and somehow manipulate Zayn into ruining Owens’ chances of winning the title match there. Zayn’s mishaps here should lead to a departure from the Bloodline, a title match with Reigns at Elimination Chamber 2023, and a reunion with Owens to dethrone the Usos at WrestleMania 39.

Prediction: Kevin Owens

Gunther (c) vs. Braun Strowman [Intercontinental Championship]

Gunther will retain the Intercontinental Championship against Braun Strowman after already running through World Cup Winner Ricochet because Gunther needs to continue his dominance as the champ on the road to Mania and Strowman ruined any chances of becoming champion anytime soon after his recent unprofessional rant on Twitter regarding indie wrestlers. Gunther is rumored to battle Lesnar at Mania, so he will likely lose his title to McIntyre before then because McIntyre desperately needs a consolation prize from losing to Reigns at Clash at the Castle.

Prediction: Gunther

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