Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs AJ Styles 2 on 1 title match set for Royal Rumble

The power struggle at the top of the blue brand approached nuclear levels heading into the main event of tonight’s (Jan. 2) SmackDown. With an AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn bout already scheduled for the evening’s main event, the WWE champion opened the episode with a mic in his hand.

Styles promo was quickly interrupted by Shane McMahon to apologize and Daniel Bryan for an explanation.

With Kevin Owens set to be in his best friends corner, McMahon volunteered to be in Styles corner but then so did Bryan. All three men outside of the ring also immediately made their presence felt in the main event match.

In a shortened affair, both Styles and Zayn filled upped their personal highlight reels.

Then business picked up on the outside. First with Owens saving his friend from a three count by distracting the ref. The blatant interference led Owens to get tossed from ringside but then McMahon was tossed by Bryan for attacking KO.

Zayn would pick up the win over a distracted Styles but what happened post-match is what shocked everyone watching SmackDown.

Thanks to the verbal lashing AJ Styles gave Daniel Bryan, the SmackDown GM booked the WWE champion in a handicap championship match versus Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for the Royal Rumble.

The odds are stacked, how will Styles walkout of the Royal Rumble with his title still intact?