This past Friday’s SmackDown took place at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. The show was supposed to kick off with the match between Cameron Grimes and Grayson Waller. The Bloodline attacked Grimes while he was making his entrance. The A-Town Down Under then left the ring. Paul Heyman grabbed a microphone and complained about the upcoming Fatal 4-Way match at Royal Rumble. Nick Aldis told Heyman that the bout is officially booked for the Royal Rumble. Aldis then announced that The Bloodline would face Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight in the main event. Heyman told Aldis that Roman Reigns wasn’t in Lincoln. SmackDown General Manager told Wise Man that they should find the tag partner.
Angel and Humberto defeated The LWO (Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde) in a Tag Team match.
In a backstage segment, Nick Aldis booked Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory for the show.
Paul Heyman tried to manipulate Carlito to team up with Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso by giving him an apple. Carlito told Heyman that he only wants to fight Santos Escobar.
Bianca Belair defeated Bayley with a KOD.
Bobby Lashley and Street Profits called out AOP and Karrion Kross to come to the ring. Kross appeared on the big screen and revealed his faction’s name as “The Final Testament.”
Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory ended in a referee stoppage after both were injured during the match.
In the main event, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight defeated Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa in a 3-on-2 Handicap match. Orton, Styles, and Knight attacked The Bloodline after the match.
According to Nielsen via SpoilerTV, the January 12th episode of WWE SmackDown drew 2.384 million viewers on FOX and a 0.64 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
WWE SmackDown viewership & ratings for the past few weeks
| Episode of WWE SmackDown | Viewership | 18-49 demographic |
| January 12 | 2.384 million | 0.64 |
| January 5 | 2.465 million | 0.67 |
| December 29 | 1.355 million | 0.28 |
| December 22 | 2.108 million | 0.55 |
| December 15 | 2.154 million | 0.51 |
| December 8 | 2.384 million | 0.63 |
| December 1 | 2.044 million | 0.59 |