WWE SmackDown Preview & Match Card, January 13, 2022
WWE SmackDown episode of January 13, 2023, will feature two huge singles matches as it continues the buildup for the Royal Rumble 2023 event.
Gunther will defend his Intercontinental championship against Braun Strowman. Kevin Owens will face the Honorary Uce, Sami Zayn. More participants will announce their entry into the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches. Read below to check the complete preview and match card of WWE SmackDown January 13, 2023.
Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn
Kevin Owens teamed up with John Cena to face Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn on the December 30 episode of SmackDown. Owens pinned Zayn to give Roman his first loss in nearly three years. Last week, Roman got frustrated and put the blame on Sami. At the same time, Owens challenged Reigns to a match at Royal Rumble arguing that Owens is actually the crux of his problems. Roman agreed to the match for Royal Rumble.
Later, Roman apologized to Sami for the public outburst, and then Paul Heyman suggested a match between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens to allow Sami to put Owens in his place. Will the Honorary Uce be able to restore the honor of the Bloodline? Will this match prove to be the set-up for the eventual breakup between Sami and The Bloodline?
Gunther vs Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman has been feuding with Gunther since Imperium cost him the semifinal match of SmackDown World Cup. The match between them was finally announced on December 30 when Braun Strowman confronted Gunther and fought off Kaiser and Vinci. However, when he was about to attack Gunther, he moved aside, and Strowman crashed into a barricade. Gunther then attacked Strowman with a chair to close the segment.
Gunther has been able to fend off every challenge so far in his title reign and is yet to be pinned or defeated in singles matches since his arrival to SmackDown. So, will Braun Strowman be the first one to beat him? Will we see Strowman winning the IC title once again on SmackDown January 13 episode?
What More to Expect?
Charlotte Flair defeated Sonya Deville last week in her first defense of SmackDown Women’s Championship. Will she get some serious challenger for her next defense?
Hit-Row turned heel last week when Top Dolla lost his cool after losing to Ricochet. Top Dolla was particularly angry about all the mocking he faced from the locker room. This included Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Madcap Moss, Mace and Mansoor among others. Will any of them be their next victim?
The Viking Raiders attacked Drew McIntyre and Sheamus after their defeat to The Usos last week after SmackDown went off the air. How will McIntyre and Sheamus answer this?
What else do you expect to happen on SmackDown January 13, 2023 episode?
