On the last WWE SmackDown episode before the Royal Rumble, Drew McIntyre, the Undisputed WWE Champion, interrupted an 8-man tag team main event to confront his upcoming Royal Rumble adversary, Sami Zayn. The bout featured Zayn alongside Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Jey Uso against The Vision’s Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory.
Just as Zayn seemed poised to score the deciding pinfall for his side, McIntyre appeared unexpectedly, dragging Zayn out of the ring and triggering a disqualification finish. This intervention escalated tensions right before their scheduled championship confrontation.
Post-Match Chaos Escalates Rivalries
Immediately following the match, Jacob Fatu‘s entrance music signaled further conflict. Fatu charged at McIntyre, knocking him outside the ring and delivering a suicide dive onto him on the floor. Cody Rhodes quickly engaged, responding with a suicide dive onto Fatu at ringside, then forcing Fatu into the ringside post.
The chaos intensified with Drew and Cody exchanging blows, each sending the other into the ring post. McIntyre prepared to execute his signature Claymore Kick, but Zayn countered with a Helluva Kick, knocking McIntyre off balance and outside the ring.
With McIntyre down, Zayn reached for the WWE Title lying on the mat, but Cody intercepted simultaneously. Both men turned to see Bron Breakker return with a double Spear, bringing the intense segment to a close as the show ended.
Drew McIntyre Expresses Desire to Wrestle at Tokyo Dome
During the SmackDown broadcast from Saudi Arabia, McIntyre spoke with Japanese outlet ABEMA about his aspirations to compete at the renowned Tokyo Dome in Japan. This venue is iconic within professional wrestling, notably hosting New Japan Pro Wrestling’s annual Wrestle Kingdom event each January.
“Japan. I’m coming back. Roppongi, wait for me. I’ve never had a big match at the Tokyo Dome, so I’d like to do it.” – Drew McIntyre
WWE’s history in Japan usually involves arenas smaller than the Tokyo Dome, but McIntyre’s comments open the door for WWE to consider holding marquee shows at this prestigious venue in the future.
Upcoming Royal Rumble Highlights and Broadcast Details
The Royal Rumble event is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The card includes the Men’s Royal Rumble Match and the highly anticipated Undisputed WWE Championship bout pitting Drew McIntyre against Sami Zayn.
Additional featured matches include the Women’s Royal Rumble Match and a high-stakes contest between AJ Styles and Gunther, with Styles facing possible retirement if he loses.
The event will stream live at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, airing exclusively on ESPN in the United States and Netflix for international audiences.
Additional WWE Royal Rumble Developments
Beyond McIntyre’s ambitions and the Royal Rumble lineup, there have been notable updates within WWE: lawyers are discussing a WWE legend’s Royal Rumble appearance, Paige’s potential comeback remains a topic of speculation, and Gunther has officially received a new WWE nickname.
Meanwhile, Paul Heyman introduced a new moniker for Austin Theory as part of his “The Vision” persona. Speculation also surrounds a possible newcomer making their WWE debut during the Royal Rumble match, adding to the event’s unpredictability.
Cody Rhodes shared a deeply personal wish related to his wrestling career, requesting an unconventional funeral tied to the wrestling world once his time arrives. Additionally, Jey Uso made a lighthearted mistake in an Instagram story previewing the Royal Rumble, injecting humor amid the tense build-up.
Rumors abound that WWE might have inadvertently revealed the #1 entrant in the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble following a surprising botch during SmackDown.
Significance of McIntyre’s Tokyo Dome Ambition and Royal Rumble Context
Drew McIntyre’s expressed goal to wrestle at the Tokyo Dome signifies a desire to solidify his legacy by performing at one of wrestling’s most hallowed stages. Achieving this would mark a significant milestone, given the venue’s status and Japan’s passionate wrestling fanbase.
The Royal Rumble itself remains crucial for shaping WWE’s upcoming storylines, championships, and star trajectories. With McIntyre and Sami Zayn’s rivalry heating up and additional surprising developments ahead, this Royal Rumble is poised to intensify drama and create lasting impacts on the wrestling landscape. Fans will be watching closely as events unfold both in Saudi Arabia and potentially in Japan in the near future.
