You Nearly Missed: WWE Smackdown takes over Rogers Arena

by Mike Usinger on January 3rd, 2024 at 12:44 PM

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Love the def rebel banger “Nobody Better Than Me”? Part of a family that collects monster trucks and rusted-out Airstreams? Not into the price of Jerry Seinfeld’s three-night Vancouver stand this weekend? If the answer is “yes” to at least two, and more likely all, of those questions, then you’re already jacked about the return of WWE Smackdown to Vancouver this Friday (January 5).

And because you speak the language, you’ll have zero trouble deciphering this bit of pre-hype from World Wrestling Entertainment: “As Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight prepare to battle in a Triple Threat Match to determine Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns’ challenger at Royal Rumble, The Head of the Table returns to the blue brand.”

The translation of that goes something like, “Rogers Arena hosts the multi-match evening, dubbed New Year’s Revolution, with Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles doing battle in a Triple Threat bout. The winner will then step into the ring with Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble on January 27.”

At least that’s what we think it means.

On the undercard, Michin squares off against IYO SKY, while Kevin Owens pounds the crap out of Santos Escobar—or vice versa, depending on where they’re at in the script.

YouTube celebrity Logan Paul is also scheduled to make an appearance, sizing up the competition as Escobar or Owens will square off to see who faces him in a future Royal Rumble.

One of the crown jewels of WWE’s empire, Smackdown has made previous visits to Vancouver, including a pre-pandemic stop at Rogers in the spring of 2020. Will 16-time WWE champ (and frequent Vancouver visitor) John Cena make an appearance? Only time will tell.

Geared to those who enjoy their mayhem in the afternoon, the event gets underway at 4:45pm, with doors opening at 3:15pm.

All together now: “Let’s get ready to rummmbllllle!!!!!!!!” And, yes, we know that’s actually a WCW catchphrase. We just wanted to make sure you were paying attention.