Tag Title & Royal Rumble Qualifier Set for WWE SmackDown January 6
WWE has announced a Tag Team Championship match and a Royal Rumble Qualifier match for January 6, 2023 edition for WWE SmackDown.
Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso will defend the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus on the January 6 episode of WWE SmackDown.
Originally scheduled for December 9 episode of SmackDown, the bout was postponed due to McIntyre being not medically cleared. He was suffering from a ruptured eardrum on 26th November’s Wargames match at Survivor Series.
Butch partnered with Sheamus instead to unsuccessfully challenge The Usos. McIntyre returned to WWE TV on SmackDown episode of December 30 to save Sheamus and The Brawling Brutes against Solo Sikoa & The Usos.
Ricochet will face Top Dolla in a Royal Rumble qualifier match. This week on SmackDown, New Day, MMM, and Madcap Moss were making fun of Top Dolla for botching a suicide dive a couple of weeks back on SmackDown. Top Dolla was severely scrutinized for the botch by the fans online, but he explained that he injured his leg during the spot.
When Ricochet joined the banter and added that Top Dolla’s botch shows that people do not realize he makes such moves look effortless, Top Dolla took offense and pushed Ricochet aside. Top Dolla then challenged Ricochet to face him in the ring.
WWE SmackDown episode of January 6, which will also be the first episode of SmackDown in 2023. The show will air from FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN. The current line-up is as below:
- The Usos(Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso)(c) vs Sheamus & Drew McIntyre – Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
- Ricochet vs Top Dolla – Royal Rumble Qualifying Match
