WWE SmackDown Spoilers: Complete Results and Analysis for January 22, 2015

Just five days away from its Royal Rumble extravaganza, WWE rolled into Austin, Texas, for this week's SmackDown tapings.

On Monday's Raw, John Cena defeated Seth Rollins, Kane and The Big Show. As a result, Dolph Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan, now rehired thanks to Cena, made their television returns to kick off the festivities. Would they be able to earn spots in this weekend's Royal Rumble match?

That question would be answered throughout the evening. Each Superstar competed in a singles contest for the opportunity to join some of the top stars in the industry in Sunday's main event.

Would heartbreak turn to triumph, or would Bad News Barrett, Rusev and Luke Harper spoil their homecoming?

Fans in the Lone Star State found out Tuesday night. If you cannot wait until the broadcast hits the Syfy airwaves this Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/PT, here are spoilers for the show, courtesy of our friends over at WrestlingInc.com.

Venue

Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas

Broadcast Team

Michael Cole, Byron Saxton and John Bradshaw Layfield

Results

• Daniel Bryan kicked off the show, introducing Ziggler, Ryback and Rowan to the audience. The segment was interrupted by The Authority (minus Triple H and Stephanie), who announced that the formerly fired stars would earn spots in the Royal Rumble if they won their singles bouts later in the evening.
• Ziggler defeated intercontinental champion Barrett in a non-title match with the Zig Zag. Ziggler qualified for the Royal Rumble.
• Renee Young interviewed Roman Reigns.
• Ryback defeated WWE United States champion Rusev via count-out. After the match, Rusev escaped a Shell Shocked attempt and retreated. Ryback qualified for the Royal Rumble.
• Brie Bella pinned Naomi. Paige and Natalya were on commentary.
• Luke Harper defeated Rowan. Rowan does NOT qualify for the Royal Rumble.
• The Miz and Damien Mizdow displayed tension during a backstage segment in which the Hollywood A-lister talked down to his stunt double.
• Bryan defeated Kane in a No Disqualification match. A huge brawl between the top babyfaces and The Authority erupted, with Bryan, Ziggler, Reigns, Ryback and Dean Ambrose standing tall to close out the show.

Analysis

WWE easily could have booked another tiresome Six-Man Tag Team match involving Ziggler, Ryback and Rowan, determining their entries into the Royal Rumble with a single contest. Instead, WWE Creative opted to go the less obvious route by booking three quality singles bouts.

Even better, those singles bouts play to the history of each competitor.

It was Barrett who defeated Ziggler to capture the IC title. It was Rusev with whom Ryback was engaged in an intense rivalry before his sudden termination. It was Harper who spent a year teaming with Rowan before they were suddenly released from the care of Bray Wyatt.

Those are the stories intricately woven into a much bigger one that will play out during this week's show.

Interestingly, Ziggler and Ryback qualify for the Rumble, while Rowan does not. Could that mean WWE Creative is planning on taking Rowan in a new direction and using his latest disappointment to serve as the emphasis for doing so?

Bryan, one week after his much-anticipated in-ring return to the show, battles Kane in the main event. With his spot in the Royal Rumble on the line in a No Disqualification match, his comeback may be for naught.

Luckily for fans, that is not the case. Bryan defeats Kane in a match that suddenly segues into a huge brawl between babyfaces and heels, a trademark of the final episode of SmackDown before every Royal Rumble.

Like last week's show, the results seem to indicate a much more energetic and interesting show than SmackDown had been prior to its return to Thursday nights. While some grew tired of seeing the same commercials hyping the move, it has done wonders for the pace and excitement surrounding the show.

Whether the company can sustain that pace, that excitement and undeniable energy remains to be seen. For now, fans should consider it a welcome change.