SmackDown 1/3/14 Recap

As the first televised WWE event of the year, the WWE needed to make sure that they put together an amazing show to start 2014, and boy did they deliver. The show began with a promo from The Shield which was then followed by a tag team match where Seth Rolling and Roman Reigns took on The Usos. SmackDown ended with a R
aw or even a Pay-Per-View quality main event.

Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns vs. Jimmy & Jay Uso:

Being the first match of 2014, the WWE Universe expected nothing but an amazing match, where two of the top teams in the tag team division went head to head. The two teams took nearly two TV segments to complete their match. Although this would be yet another bout between the two teams who have faced off many times in 2013, the match was high quality, and was a great show and year opener for the WWE.

The Usos took the win over The Shield, as the match ended in a highly suspected disqualification, which is trademark of The Shield.

Fandango vs. R-Truth 

With both superstars accompanied by their gimmick partners (Truth with Xavier Woods, Fandango with Summer Rae) they went head to head on the first SmackDown of the Year. Both superstars gave an average performance, it was nothing special. R-Truth took the victory off the distraction from Woods and Funkadactyls.

Renee Young Interviews Big E. Langston 

After the incident on Monday Night Raw where Mark Henry came to confront the newly returning Brock Lesnar, Renee Young looks to get Henry's partner Big E Langston's thoughts on what happened Monday night. Langston says that Henry is a bit beat up from the confrontation but he will be back in the ring shortly. He states that when his partner walked down to confront Lesnar that he was looking for a match, not a ringside fight. The interview was soon interrupted by Curtis Axel (Langston's opponent on SmackDown) who antagonizes Langston.  

Tag Team Title Match: The Brotherhood vs. The Wyatt Family

With a strong 2013, the tag team division was one of the most entertaining parts of the WWE lineup this past year. Not only did they close out strong, but they are opening strong as well with a championship match on the first SmackDown, and first televised event of 2014. With the absence of Bray Wyatt at ringside during this match, all eyes were on the superstars as they faced off for the titles. The match like most other tag team matches with the Rhodes was action packed and full of amazing moves in the ring. The brawled both in and out of the ring but all in all the Rhodes came out on top, retaining their tag team titles. If I had to guess, this match could lead to a potential rivalry where these two teams face off at future Pay-Per-Views like the Royal Rumble and Elimination chamber. Overall, it was an amazing performance, and an excellent way to begin 2014 for the already going strong tag team division.

Nikki Bella vs. Aksana

The Diva's division had an okay 2013. After suffering the loss of a strong and competitive Diva, Eve, they are lacking the non-hair pulling, and competitive Diva's who are looking to entertain the WWE Universe using wrestling as opposed to lame gimmicks. They gave an average performance, much like the rest of the Divas with the exception of the feud between the Total Diva's and the others in the locker room.

Big E. Langston vs. Curtis Axel 

After being provoked by his opponent earlier on that night during an interview, Big E headed to the ring to take on Curtis Axel. The match was a very basic match. It lacked the "wow factor," in my opinion. This could lead to a good feud between the team of Langston and Henry, and Ryback and Axel. In the end, Big E came out on top.

CM Punk & Usos vs. The Shield 

No matter how many times these teams take on The Shield, they never get old. These two teams have a sort of chemistry where they could fight over and over again and deliver an A+ performance over and over. With previous bouts between both CM Punk & the Usos with The Shield, the match was bound to be exciting. After CM Punk's 3-on-1 handicap match at the TLC PPV, any encounter between these 4 superstars is promising and exciting. The two teams put on an amazing main event, leaving everything in the ring. When the charismatic CM Punk is put together with the high flying Uso's, the live audience and those watching at home are engaged in the match and on the edge of their seats. CM Punk picked up the win with the GTS on Ambrose to win by pinfall.

Final Thoughts and Predictions for 2014

Overall, this SmackDown was an amazing way to begin 2014. Some predictions on my part are:

• The Shield will soon break up. Reigns will move on to a solo career while another rising star joins the already popular Rollins and Ambrose. 
• A Undertaker could soon return to start a feud with Brock Lesnar. After a confrontation at a UFC event where Lesnar lost the championship to Cain Velasquez, the two are likely to face off at WrestleMania. 
• Bryan will soon return as a part of the Wyatt Family, but he will reveal that he was only joining to turn on them and destruct them from the inside.