WWE SmackDown 22 January 2021: Preview, Matches, Start Time
Check out the preview, matches announced and start time for WWE Friday Night SmackDown episode of 22 January 2021(1/22/2021) featuring Big E vs Apollo Crews match, Kevin Owens’ address to WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and more buildup towards WWE Royal Rumble 2021.
Date- 22 January 2021
Location- Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL, US
Time- 8 PM EST(23 January 2021 1 AM GMT/6:30 AM IST)
Big E vs Apollo Crews – Intercontinental Championship Match
Last time Big E and Crews faced-off for the Intercontinental title two weeks back, the original match ended in a double pin. Big E was able to retain the title after the match restarted. That incident drew a reaction from Paul Heyman. And Paul Heyman getting involved means Roman Reigns is intrested.
Then, last week we saw Crews getting suggestions from Roman Reigns in a move that could be the turning point for Crews’ career. Heyman arranged for a #1 contender match for the title and Crews defeated Sami Zayn to set up another clash against Big E. But will the result be different this time?
A heel turn is around the corner for Apollo Crews for sure after he seems to be aligning with Roman. But will it result in Roman getting involved more and costing Big E the title? And will it spark a fued between Roman & Big E on the road to WrestleMania?
Kevin Owens to Address Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns tried to stamp his will on Adam Pearce and get him in his ring at Royal Rumble. However, Pearce outsmarted him by putting up Kevin Owens in his place.
Owens has come close to dethrone Roman twice last month. But both times, Jey Uso interfered and helped out Roman to retain the title. Now, fate has given him another chance for the title that he helped make popular.
Will Kevin Owens be prepared for the double threat of Roman & Jey(or possible triple threat with Apollo Crews)?
Bianca Beliar vs Sasha Banks- Obstacle Course Contest
Bianca Beliar is trying to make her name as the next big star on SmackDown. However, in her next big feud, she has been unable to defeat Bayley in multiple chances. Last week, the EST of WWE was the inaugural guest for Bayley’s “Ding Dong! Hello!!” segment where things got heated up once again and Bayley ended up challenging Beliar for an obstacle course contest.
Earlier in the year, Beliar was seen beating other Performance Center Rookies in these obstacle courses with ease. But with a formidable opponent in Bayley, will it be a cakewalk for her again?
What happened on Last Week’s SmackDown?
- After being subjected to torture from WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman, WWE Official Adam Pearce managed to get his way and come out of his match against Reigns. In the closing segment, Pearce, due to his injury, nominated Kevin Owens in place to face Reigns at Royal Rumble.
- Apollo Crews defeated Sami Zayn to become #1 contender for Intercontinental Championship
- Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Jey Uso after Uso boasted about Nakamura being defeated in the Gauntlet match.
- Cesaro pinned Daniel Bryan clean in the ring, which can be seen as the start of a big push for the Nakamura & Cesaro duo.
- Sasha Banks offered to face Carmella’s sommelier in a match. No other details provided yet.
- Street Profits cut a promo and they want revenge for their tag team titles loss to Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode.
- Bayley hosted Bianca Beliar in her new talk show segment – Ding Dong! Hello!! – and ended up challenging her for an obstacle course competition.
- Sonya Deville tries to share Adam Pearce’s workload and has many ideas.
