Popular stars hospitalized, wrestling legend returns: 5 Bold predictions for SmackDown 1/24
From former champions being hospitalised to wrestling legend making his return, here are 5 Bold Predictions for SmackDown 1/24.
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5 Bold Predictions for SmackDown 1/24 (via WWE)
WWE SmackDown has moved to being a three-hour show since the beginning of 2025. This new run time has allowed for more and more superstars to be featured on the show, as well as allowed for big moments like Tiffany Stratton‘s successful cash-in to win the WWE Women’s Championship. With the next episode just a day away, fans have started to make some bold predictions for SmackDown, set to take place on 1/23/25.
The next episode of SmackDown emanates from the Moody Centre in Austin, Texas. Now, the blue brand has faced some criticism for its past few episodes, and the promotion likely wants to turn this perception around by putting on a banger show. WWE has already announced several segments and matches for the episode, but they can surely turn it up with some unexpected and exciting moments.
With that said, here are five bold predictions for SmackDown on 1/24:
5. DIY hospitalize Motor City Machine Guns following their match against Pretty Deadly
WWE did a phenomenal job with the DIY heel turn. Tommaso Ciampa slowly pulled Johnny Gargano to the dark side with him and got him to turn on his good friend, the Motor City Machine Guns. This also earned them the WWE Tag Team Championship, which they rightly deserve. However, the current champions still need to do something more to establish themselves as the top tag heels of the blue brand.
The Motor City Machine Guns are set to take on Pretty Deadly on the next episode of SmackDown. After the match concludes, DIY could show up to attack these two teams. Pretty Deadly could slither out and escape, leaving the former TNA World Champions to fend for their own.
DIY could brutalize and hospitalize MCMG. This would definitely establish them as top heels, having decimated people who were once so close to Gargano. Furthermore, storyline-wise, they just took out a serious contender for their tag belts.
4. Carmelo Hayes announces moving to Raw after getting frustrated with Nick Aldis
Over the past few weeks, Carmelo Hayes has had a few altercations with Nick Aldis, none of which went his way. The former NXT Champion even said that if he isn’t respected on the blue brand, he will utilize the transfer window to move over to Raw. Furthermore, this could be the perfect time to send ‘him’ to the red brand.
Hayes has already gone for the United States Championship multiple times and failed. Additionally, it doesn’t look like there is any room for him on the SmackDown mid-card. Moving to Raw for the first time in his career would open up many opportunities for him. He and Bron Breakker could run back the incredible matches that they had for the NXT Championship during their time in the developmental brand, this time for the Intercontinental title.
3. Tiffany Stratton gets a new challenger in the form of Naomi
The way that Tiffany Stratton won her championship on the first episode of SmackDown in 2025 set up a lot of contenders for her to face during her title reign. Firstly, Nia Jax may be lurking and come back for revenge at any moment after being betrayed by her protege. Naomi is also pretty upset as the former Ms. Money in the Bank ruined her championship opportunity after cashing in.
Nia Jax currently going for the Women’s World Championship and Stratton has already beat Bayley. Thus, it appears that Naomi is next in line. The former TNA Knockouts Champion could surely assert himself into the title picture on Friday. Furthermore, WWE can announce a high-profile match for the Royal Rumble, giving the Buff Barbie her first singles opportunity on a PLE.
2. Randy Orton returns to confront Kevin Owens
Randy Orton has been missing from WWE programming for nearly two months now. Kevin Owens took him out with a devastating piledriver, and the promotion announced that the Viper had suffered some serious injuries. Now, the Prizefighter would be signing the contract for his ladder match against Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Thus, the Apex Predator striking right before this huge segment could be perfect, and his return on Friday is one of the bold predictions for SmackDown. Orton could ambush Owens in order to get his revenge and stack the odds against the Canadian. Feeling outnumbered, the Winged Eagle title-holder once again approaches Sami Zayn for help, as he did on the latest episode of Raw. The interplay of character dynamics between all these characters would truly be cinema.
1. Roman Reigns confronts Cody Rhodes, declares coming after him following the Royal Rumble
One of the most memorable moments of 2024 was when Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble and immediately pointed at Roman Reigns, signaling his intentions. With the shoe being on the other foot this time, WWE can tell the story of the OTC having to go through the 30-man match to reclaim his title.
Roman Reigns had already announced that he is done with his family business and gets the Ula Fala back, he would be coming after the WWE Undisputed Championship once again. Furthermore, the Samoan has already declared for the Royal Rumble match. Undoubtedly, he is one of the favorites to win it, exactly 10 years after his first victory in the stipulation.
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Mokshit Batra
(1367 Articles Published)