Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown Live recap for January 2, 2018

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles shows up to start tonight's show. Styles welcomes everyone to the show, then says it is a new year with new chances and new beginnings. Superstars on both the red and blue brands have made New Year's Resolutions to win their Royal Rumble Match. He resolves to take the WWE title to WrestleMania, and walk out it still champion. He also resolves to beat Sami Zayn tonight. Styles asks if Kevin Owens will be in Sami Zayn's corner, then says General Manager Daniel Bryan will tell us tonight. Daniel Bryan shows up, followed by Commissioner Shane McMahon. Shane says he had the best intentions when he came down to the ring last week and asked the referee to eject Sami Zayn from last week's main event. He says that everyone would rather watch a match dependent on ability rather than distractions. Shane apologizes for costing Styles a win last week. He then says that he has been accused by Owens and Sami of having a vendetta against them. As much as he has issues with them both, he mentions that Daniel Bryan has a bit of a likeness or kinship with them. He asks Daniel why he would allow Sami Zayn to be at ringside, and if he is turning the "Yes Movement" into the "Yep Movement." Shane then says that if Owens will be in Sami's corner, then he will be at ringside during the match itself. Daniel says that wasn't what he was thinking, but he agrees to the idea anyway. He also states that if Owens and Shane will be at ringside, then he might as well be at ringside, too. Shane says 2018 is going to start off with a bang, and with that, Daniel says "Yes!"

Before the next match, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) know that Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable want to start the year off as SmackDown Tag Team Champions, but Benjamin and Gable have them to deal with first. The Usos welcome Benjamin and Gable to the Uso Penitentary.

Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable beat The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships...almost. After another referee shows up, referee Ryan Tran realizes that he has made a mistake, as neither Chad Gable or Jey Uso were the legal man when the pinfall was made. Therefore, the results of the match are null and void and the match is immediately restarted.

The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) retain the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable.

Renee Young interviews Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Owens says this week's match will be no different from last week's match, and that the outcome will remain the same. Sami Zayn says that Commissioner Shane McMahon is accusing General Manager Daniel Bryan of favoritism, but Daniel is just being a good GM and that this is the Kevin and Sami Show. Owens says Sami will prove it when he beats "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles.

Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) vs. The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) ends before it can begin when The Bludgeon Brothers decimate Breezango before the bell rings. The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) run in to try to make the save for Breezango, but they fare no better.

Xavier Woods is swinging a Kendo stick while blindfolded when Kofi Kingston and Big E present pancakes in the shape of "2018" covered in whipped cream. Woods is looking forward to becoming United States Champion. Before Xavier Woods can blow out the candle on the pancakes, Rusev and Aiden English show up. Aiden English wishes that every day could be Rusev Day. He then says that is what will happen when he beats Woods and goes on to become United States Champion. Rusev then makes fun of the pancakes and then bows out the candle before Woods can.

Mojo Rawley says that next week, after he beats Zack Ryder in the United States title tournament, Ryder will be in the past where he belongs.

Before the next match, Rusev sings a Rusev Day song about Aiden English winning the WWE United States Championship.

Xavier Woods beats Aiden English to advance in the United States Championship Tournament. During the match, Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers (Sunil and Samir Singh) are watching the match from backstage, as Jinder faces the winner of the match in the semi-finals.

Dasha Fuentes interviews Natalya, Carmella, Lana and Tamina. Natalya says the welcoming committee left The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Liv Morgan) running last week, and they feel good. Before the Squad, there was them. Carmella says The Riott Squad had their fun in 2017, but it is 2018 and the party is over. Lana says the Squad made their big splash, but they showed their hand. Tamina says that was foolish. Natalya says that while imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, there is no substitute for the real thing.

Karl Malone is seen in the front row, performing Diamond Dallas Page's signature taunt.

The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Liv Morgan) beats Natalya, Carmella and Tamina after Ruby Riott distracts the referee so that Liv Morgan can push Tamina Snuka off the top rope. After the match, Ruby Riott says everyone in the Orlando, Florida crowd must believe in magic, then says magic is not real and that is just like everyone in the crowd: phony. Day in and day out, the people pretend their way through their dreary lives, pretending to be happy when they are all really miserable. She tells the crowd they need a strong dose of reality, and tells them to get a good look as The Riott Squad is real. Their destruction and success are real, and that is why they are all entering the Women's Royal Rumble Match. Before she can speak more, Charlotte Flair shows up. She congratulates them on their victory, and says that was quite the speech from Ruby Riott, but she is a dreamer. Like everyone here, she believes in the power and magic of her dreams. Find something you're passionate about, and your world can change. If Ruby Riott believes in reality, then she will give her a taste of reality, as actions have consequences. She then brings out two people who want to teach them a lesson: Naomi and Becky Lynch, the latter of whom has been out for weeks. The three of them charge the ring, and The Riott Squad meet them at ringside, starting a brawl where The Riott Squad are overpowered.

Baron Corbin says if there was ever a fight designed for him, it is the Royal Rumble Match. He cannot wait to throw everyone over the top rope, as he is officially in the Men's Match, and he cannot wait to main event WrestleMania.

Sami Zayn beats "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles in a match with Kevin Owens, Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan all at ringside. During the match, referee Mike Chioda tumbles out of the ring to avoid Styles pushing Sami into the ropes, and Kevin Owens gets in his way. Shane pushes Owens to the floor, then demands Owens be ejected, which Chioda does. Daniel Bryan then tells Shane that if he is going to toss Owens out, then he will have to leave with him. As Shane stares at Daniel bemusedly, Owens distracts Styles, allowing Sami Zayn to hit the Helluva Kick for the win. After the match, Styles tells Shane and Daniel to stop bickering like children after asking Owens and Sami if they can't win a match on their own, and says he wants to entertain the fans without somebody interfering. He then demands a 2-on-1 handicap match against Owens and Sami. General Manager Daniel Bryan makes the match official for Royal Rumble, with the WWE Championship on the line.

Here are the top 10 moments from tonight's show!