Episode Recap: January 15, 2015

The January 15 episode of WWE SmackDown was one for the books as the second longest-running episodic show in television history returned to Thursday nights after a decade of Friday Night Fights and former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan returned after an injury that kept him out of the ring for eight months.

Bryan's opponent was his former Team Hell No ally, Corporate Kane, the man responsible for his injury in the first place. Bryan made Kane feel the pain of the past eight months in a brutal match, which Bryan won via disqualification after being interrupted by J&J Security.

WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos & Naomi went up against The Miz, Damien Mizdow & Alicia Fox in a Mixed Tag Team Match. Naomi and Fox's ever-escalating Total Divas drama brought extra spice to the already intense Tag Team rivalry, from which The Miz, Mizdow & Alicia emerged victorious. 

Last Sunday, Seth Rollins put on quite a show after he Curb Stomped both John Cena and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar during the Royal Rumble Contract Signing on Raw. Tonight, Lesnar's manager Paul Heyman addressed the WWE universe in response to Mr. Money in the Bank's rather bold statement, resulting in an intense standoff.

Total Divas action was provided by Natalya defeating Divas Champion Nikki Bella in a non-title match.

Meanwhile, Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett put his title on the line against Sin Cara, who emerged the victor after the two faced off on January 9. Barrett emerged still the champ.

The evening closed with a completely insane Six-Man Tag Team Match: Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose (winners) vs. Kane, Big Show & Seth Rollins (losers).

It's all leading up to what's going to be a Royal Rumble to remember on Sunday, January 25.