On Smackdown...

It's almost here.

The 2013 Royal Rumble will take place - live and exclusive on Sky Box Office - in the early hours of Monday morning, with CM Punk and The Rock battling for possession of the WWE Title and 30 men fighting for a main-event spot at WrestleMania.

But there is one more port of call for the WWE Superstars before the action unfurls in Phoenix, Arizona: Friday Night Smackdown, which comes your way at 10pm on Sky Sports 2 HD.

Here's what's in store...

FOCUS ON THE SHIELD - The Rock was unceremoniously attacked by The Shield on Monday Night Raw, but will address the rogue trio on Friday evening. What will the Great One have to say, and will Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns get physical with him again?

THE CHAMP IS HERE - WWE titlist Punk will also converse with the destructive threesome after WWE chairman Vince McMahon announced that should they interfere in his match - as they have done on multiple occasions previously - the Second City Saint would be stripped of his strap

LAST RITES? - Big Show warmed up for his World Heavyweight Championship Last Man Standing clash with Alberto Del Rio at the Rumble by knocking out Zack Ryder in quick-fire fashion on Raw. Will the giant showcase his strength again this evening?

RUMBLERS COLLIDE - Irish grappler Sheamus and British Brawler Wade Barrett will both enter the Royal Rumble match this weekend, but will tangle with each other in Sacramento, California. Which European will garner some vital momentum?

AN AWESOME EVENING? - The Miz, who will also be part of the 30-man extravaganza, will go one-on-one with Prime Time Player Darren Young - but will the man he has been embroiled in a war of word with over recent weeks, Antonio Cesaro, interfere in the Awesome One's bout?

Don't miss WWE Smackdown, 10pm, Fri, Sky Sports 2 HD and then tune into WWE Royal Rumble, 1am, Sunday, Sky Box Office (Monday morning).

Booking details

WWE Royal Rumble will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 743) and in high definition on Sky Box Office HD (channel 752) on Sunday, January 27 at 1am (Mon).

WWE Royal Rumble will be repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 743) - but NOT on Sky Sports Box Office HD (channel 752) - between 9am on Monday January 28 and 9pm on Saturday February 2. Repeat showings will last for three hours.

The event is priced at £14.95 for UK customers, €21.95 for customers in the Republic of Ireland.

You can order WWE Royal Rumble by pressing the Box Office button on your remote. Select 'sports & events' and follow the on-screen instructions.

Viewers are also able to call 08442 410 888 to book WWE Royal Rumble. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).

You can also book WWE Royal Rumble online by clicking this link www.sky.com/orderboxoffice

Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.