January 30, 2026
Riyadh Season Stadium – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
WWE SmackDown Results
- United States Championship: Carmelo Hayes over Rey Fenix via Nothin’ But Net
- Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss over Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez via Sister Abigail
- Axiom over Johnny Gargano via Golden Ratio
The Greatest Promo Parade
WWE SmackDown from Saudi Arabia kicked off with Cody Rhodes cutting an in-ring promo hyping up the crowd ahead of tomorrow’s Royal Rumble event. Rhodes ran down Drew McIntyre and discussed winning the Rumble for a third time, prompting the crowd to boo. Cody turned his attention to CM Punk, saying they had to match up eventually. This brought out Randy Orton, who pointed out that Cody wasn’t the only one who had won the Rumble twice. This brought out Jey Uso and, shortly thereafter, Sami Zayn. Zayn noted that he has never beaten Drew McIntyre, but he has never lost a match in Saudi Arabia.
Paul Heyman and The Vision interrupted and stated that no one in the ring would win the Rumble tomorrow; instead, it would be Bron Breakker’s night. Orton begged The Vision to come down to the ring, but Nick Aldis appeared and made a eight man tag team match in what he called a “Royal Rumble Preview”.
🚨 Tonight’s SmackDown main event is set: The Vision vs Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and Cody Rhodes.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/YlvBFMojKm
— Anees X (@i_anees_x) January 30, 2026
United States Championship Open Challenge
The first match of the night was Carmelo Hayes’ open challenge for the United States Championship, which was answered by Rey Fenix. The two showed off their high-flying moveset, with momentum shifting back and forth between them as the crowd reacted to every big move. The match went through two commercial breaks, and upon return, Hayes finally caught Fenix with The First 48 and followed that up with Nothin’ But Net for the win.
The US Open Challenge simply never misses
Carmelo Hayes still RUNS THIS SHIT BABY#SmackDownpic.twitter.com/F90P3B9phk
— CrispyWrestling (@CrispyWrestlin) January 30, 2026
Backstage, Ilja Dragunov approached The Miz, who claimed Hayes came to him to attack Dragunov. Dragunov said he didn’t care whether he was working with Carmelo or not; he cost Carmelo his match, so he would feel the pain in their match later tonight.
R-Truth continued his “balls” jokes backstage with Nick Aldis, and Damien Priest appeared. Aldis said Priest was in the Rumble. Priest drew his number and wasn’t happy. Cathy Kelley interviewed Drew McIntyre, who said Sami Zayn was dumb for getting himself into a big tag team match the night before the biggest match of his life.
Next, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky were asked about facing each other in the Rumble match. Giulia and Kiana James interrupted, followed by Nia Jax and Lash Legend, and they all argued.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were out next, with each of them saying they would win the Rumble. This brought out Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Roxanne Perez. Nick Aldis appeared again and made a tag team match.
Flair & Bliss vs. Morgan & Perez
After a commercial break, the match was already underway with Charlotte & Alexa facing Liv & Roxanne. Charlotte and Alexa controlled the early portion of the match until Rodriguez got involved behind the referee’s back.
the crowd singing. oh charlotte flair, the queen that you are 👸🏼👑🐐☝🏼@MsCharlotteWWE #CharlotteFlair
#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/hjAUKaQFbs
— 𝙱𝙰𝙳𝙴𝚁🦩 (@B5oy_) January 30, 2026
Momentum swung back and forth until Stephanie Vaquer appeared and took out Raquel Rodriguez. Alexa Bliss hit the Sister Abigail on Roxanne Perez for the win.
Jordynne Grace was interviewed backstage, but was jumped by Jade Cargill, and the two started brawling until they were separated by WWE Officials.
Nick Aldis informed Johnny Gargano that Candice LeRae was banned from ringside, and if Axiom wins, he gets his mask back.
Johnny Gargano vs. Axiom
Do you think Johnny is texting Ciampa nonstop, wondering what it’s like on the other side? Gargano controlled the early goings and had the Axiom mask with him.
JOHNNY GARGANO UNMASKS AXIOM AGAIN#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/CqPGXYDrFZ
— Pratik (@Pratik_1137) January 30, 2026
Axiom picked up the win after Gargano ripped Axiom’s mask off and stared at it for some reason. Axiom grabbed his old mask and put it on, hitting the Golden Ratio for the pinfall.
Carmelo Hayes approached Ilja Dragunov backstage, stating that he knows him well enough to know he didn’t have anything to do with The Miz interfering. Ilja said he didn’t know what to think about it, but once he’s done with Miz, he’s coming for Hayes’ title.
Trick Williams was interviewed and talked about his website before saying his sights were set on the main event of WrestleMania.
AJ Styles’ Phenomenal Pharewell Tour
AJ Styles cut an in-ring promo ahead of his potential retirement match with Gunther at the Royal Rumble. Styles said he would beat Gunther tomorrow and that it would start his “Phenomenal Farewell Tour,” citing potential opponents such as Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and CM Punk. Gunther interrupted, saying that he would end Styles’ career at the Rumble. The two were about to fight, but Gunther backed down and walked away.
Tama Tonga approached Shinsuke Nakamura backstage, asked what happened to him, and suggested he retire like Styles. Nakamura challenged Tama to a match next week.
TAMA TONGA SO UNSERIOUS BRO SAID NAKAMURA NEEDS TO RETIRE NEXT LOL#Smackdown
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) January 30, 2026
The Miz vs. Ilja Dragunov
Next up was Ilja Dragunov taking on The Miz, as set up earlier in the night. Dragunov controlled the match at the bell, but Miz recovered and threw Ilja over the top rope to the outside, showing a potential precursor to tomorrow’s Rumble match.
