Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, former Tag Team Champions and close allies in recent months, appear to be setting the stage for a surprising split during this weekend’s Royal Rumble event. Both women featured prominently on this week’s WWE SmackDown, where Flair suggested changes may be imminent between the duo, stirring speculation about a possible betrayal that could alter storylines significantly.
SmackDown Developments Leading to the Royal Rumble
Before the anticipated Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia, SmackDown has seen a series of intense matches and backstage segments shaping the landscape. Sami Zayn and Drew McIntyre will face off in a high-profile bout at the Royal Rumble, but McIntyre already made an impression by interfering in an eight-man tag team contest. The match featured The Vision against a team including Zayn, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and Randy Orton.
Meanwhile, Damien Priest secured his place in the Royal Rumble through a backstage segment alongside Nick Aldis, signaling his momentum as a contender. Axiom’s recent SmackDown appearance was marked by a production error that accidentally displayed Bron Breakker’s graphics during Axiom’s match against Johnny Gargano, highlighting some of the unpredictability in the lead-up to the event.
Storylines Impacting Key Wrestlers’ Futures
AJ Styles faces a potentially career-defining moment tomorrow night when he takes on Gunther, known as the Career Killer, at the Royal Rumble. Despite the stakes, Styles conveyed confidence ahead of the match, believing his career will continue regardless of the outcome. This match has garnered attention not only due to its implications for Styles but also as part of a broader narrative involving top WWE stars.
Tensions between wrestlers have also been underscored by ongoing feuds. For example, Axiom and Johnny Gargano have engaged in a storyline that reached a turning point on SmackDown recently, coinciding with Tommaso Ciampa‘s departure from WWE and debut in AEW. Candice LeRae’s involvement in these developments adds another layer of context to the evolving rivalries.
Major Entry Announcements and Future Prospects
Brock Lesnar confirmed his entry into the 2026 Royal Rumble during a segment on the Pat McAfee Show, followed shortly by Roman Reigns, who shared his perspectives on Lesnar’s impact within WWE. The ongoing event buildup also includes WWE 2K26’s promotional releases, featuring editions highlighting Triple H and the King of Kings, signaling continued marketing momentum alongside the wrestling action.
Anticipation Builds as Betrayal Could Redefine Alliances
The possible conflict between Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss highlights an important narrative thread heading into the Royal Rumble night. Their friendship and former tag team success suggest this betrayal, if confirmed, could influence not only their characters’ trajectories but also the wider championship dynamics within WWE. Fans will be watching closely to see if this hinted rupture sparks new rivalries and reshapes the competition.
“She was part of SmackDown this week, and Flair claimed that she was […]” – Anonymous Source
