On January 30, 2026, WWE SmackDown held its 1,380th episode live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). The event was simulcast internationally on Netflix with a same-day delay on USA Network. The episode built intense anticipation for the upcoming Royal Rumble, focusing specifically on Sami Zayn’s surprising positioning in the WWE Championship picture.
The show’s kickoff featured Michael Cole highlighting Riyadh as the host city and previewing key superstars arriving backstage, including Gunther, AJ Styles, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, and Sami Zayn. A recap of Saturday Night’s Main Event set the stage for the evening’s high-stakes matches and confrontations.
Top Contenders Weigh in on Royal Rumble Prospects
Cody Rhodes opened the night with an in-ring promo, declaring his ambitions to win the Royal Rumble for a third time and targeting Drew McIntyre’s WWE Championship. Rhodes acknowledged that Drew might not retain the title and hinted competition from his friend, Sami Zayn. He also teased a potential World Heavyweight Championship challenge against CM Punk, emphasizing his unique advantage as a two-time Royal Rumble winner. Despite these claims, the crowd responded with mixed reactions.
The mood shifted as Randy Orton entered to loud cheers, expressing his admiration for Saudi fans and signaling a competitive rivalry with Cody despite their friendship. Orton warned Rhodes that during the Rumble, their camaraderie would end, promising to eliminate him without hesitation while reminding fans he too has claimed two Rumble victories. Jey Uso arrived next, proclaiming his intent to win back-to-back Royal Rumbles, reinforcing the competitive atmosphere among leading candidates.
Sami Zayn Stands Confident Before the Championship Showdown
The fans erupted as Sami Zayn made his entrance, singing along to his entrance music and raising cellphone lights in a sea of support. Zayn addressed the crowd with a brief statement in Arabic and outlined three crucial points: his opportunity to capture the WWE Championship, the formidable Drew McIntyre’s unbeaten 11-0 record against him, and his undefeated streak in Saudi Arabia. He boldly predicted that he would leave Riyadh as the new WWE Champion, staking his claim on the biggest stage.
Paul Heyman Challenges Zayn’s Odds; Eight-Man Tag Match Announced
Offstage, Paul Heyman appeared with The Vision’s Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory, expressing doubt in Zayn’s chances and mocking the four contenders in the ring for lacking vision. A tense verbal exchange ensued, leading Orton to threaten Heyman’s group, which escalated the rivalry further.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis intervened to prevent chaos, booking an eight-man tag team match featuring Sami Zayn, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Jey Uso against The Vision faction later in the show. The setup was intended to preview conflicts and alliances heading into the Royal Rumble.
U.S. Championship Open Challenge Showcases Carmelo Hayes
Carmelo Hayes made his entrance to issue an open challenge for the U.S. Championship, met by Rey Fenix as a surprise opponent. Their bout was a hard-fought, action-packed exchange filled with dynamic offense from both sides. Despite a strong showing from Fenix, Hayes executed his signature First 48 followed by Nothing But Net to retain his title after a 14-minute contest.
Backstage, a tense moment unfolded between Ilja Dragunov and The Miz, as Miz claimed to have been acting under Hayes’ direction during an attack on Dragunov. Dragunov remained cold but cordial, hinting at unresolved tensions ahead and foreshadowing confrontations to come.
Brock Lesnar Confirms Royal Rumble Entry
Adding to the event’s growing excitement, a video message from Brock Lesnar announced his participation in the Royal Rumble match, signaling a major threat to existing competitors and enhancing the show’s unpredictability.
Royal Rumble Draw Results Stir Mixed Reactions
Backstage segments included R-Truth and Nick Aldis conducting the Royal Rumble number draw, with Damian Priest drawing a number that Aldis secretly expressed concern about. Priest maintained confidence, declaring he would use the advantage to dominate the competition and win the Rumble.
Drew McIntyre Responds to Sami Zayn’s Challenge
Champion Drew McIntyre, interviewed by Cathy Kelley, dismissed Zayn’s earlier provocations, labeling them self-defeating. McIntyre acknowledged having to compete in an eight-man tag event alongside Zayn the night before their anticipated title match but vowed to defend his championship with ruthless determination, questioning whether Zayn was prepared for the challenge.
Women’s Division Highlights and Rivalries Heat Up
The women’s division saw significant developments as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky discussed the competitive nature of the Rumble alongside challengers Giulia and Kiana James, who predicted the downfall of Ripley and Sky. The segment concluded with tension among Ripley, Sky, Giulia, James, and additional contenders Nia Jax and Lash Legend, hinting at future clashes.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss made their entrance, each asserting bold plans to win the Royal Rumble. Their interaction revealed underlying mistrust, with Bliss challenging whether they would cooperate or betray each other. The spectacle was interrupted by heels Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Roxanne Perez, leading to an impromptu tag match.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss Defeat Morgan and Perez in Tag Match
The impromptu tag team match featured intense action, with Flair and Bliss overcoming Morgan and Perez despite Rodriguez’s interference. A surprise appearance by Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer helped tilt the match in favor of the babyface team, who secured the victory after Bliss’s Sister Abigail finisher. Perez suffered noticeable bleeding during the match, adding drama and concern.
Jordynne Grace vs. Jade Cargill Backstage Altercation Adds Heat
During an interview, Jordynne Grace expressed confidence in the life-changing potential of winning the Royal Rumble. Her segment was abruptly ended when WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill blindsided Grace, triggering a physical altercation that intensified the competitive suspense leading into the event.
Unexpected Production Error Surfaces During Segment
A production mistake mistakenly displayed Bron Breakker’s entrance graphic with the U.S. flag and incorrect height and weight information, raising questions about potential plans or confusion. Observers speculated on whether adjustments would be made before the show’s airing in the United States to correct the error.
Mask Saga Concludes in Competitive Bout Between Axiom and Johnny Gargano
A pivotal match between Axiom and Johnny Gargano centered on the significance of Axiom’s mask. Gargano’s surprise removal of Axiom’s mask led to a dramatic finish, with Axiom ultimately reclaiming the mask and defeating Gargano. Despite the storyline’s intent, crowd engagement appeared muted during the contest.
Rising Tensions Between Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov Build Storyline Depth
Before the main event, Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov exchanged intense words backstage, each questioning their allegiance and hinting at future conflict. Dragunov expressed uncertainty over Carmelo’s possible involvement with The Miz’s attack and vowed retribution after their upcoming matches.
AJ Styles and Gunther Exchange Heated Words in a Fiery Segment
AJ Styles delivered a heartfelt promo addressing concerns about his upcoming Royal Rumble match, affirming his confidence in beating Gunther on the way to a farewell tour. Gunther interrupted, issuing direct threats to end Styles’ career, referencing his previous destruction of John Cena.
“I’m going to make you tap out,”
Gunther declared.
Styles responded defiantly, recalling that Gunther himself had submitted in the past. The exchange ended with Gunther physically confronting Styles before departing, heightening anticipation for their clash.
WWE Rivalries and Alliances Continue to Unfold Backstage
Backstage conversations involved Tama Tonga challenging Shinsuke Nakamura to reaffirm his strong style dominance in their upcoming match, while The Miz prepared to face Ilja Dragunov in a competitive bout. Nadis Aldis and other officials managed roster tensions as the Royal Rumble approached.
Ilja Dragunov Defeats The Miz in Hard-Hitting Match
In a spirited contest, Ilja Dragunov overcame The Miz with a blend of resilience and signature moves, closing with his powerful H-Bomb for victory. Despite a subdued live crowd reaction, the match was noted for its competitiveness and technical displays.
Tag Team Title Angle and Wyatt Sicks Storyline Advance
Solo Sikoa appeared in a symbolic backstage segment, passing the WWE Tag Team Championship belts to his family members as he expressed his Royal Rumble ambitions to reclaim the WWE Championship. Meanwhile, Wyatt Sicks and his faction spoke of retribution against Solo’s group, deepening faction rivalries.
Royal Rumble Lineup and Main Event Excitement Builds
Paul Heyman entered ringside with The Vision team for the eight-man tag main event, while Jey Uso, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, and Cody Rhodes countered as the babyface representatives. The match featured high-energy sequences, with heels initially dominating before the babyface team rallied with coordinated offense, including a notable handshake and synchronized flip dives by Sami Zayn and Jey Uso.
The eight-man tag showcased potential storylines and rival team dynamics that will likely influence the Royal Rumble outcomes, setting the stage for intense competition and shifting alliances.
Why Sami Zayn’s Role at Royal Rumble Is a Game-Changer
Sami Zayn’s elevation into the WWE Championship spotlight ahead of the Royal Rumble marks a significant disruption in expected narratives. Despite Drew McIntyre’s dominant record over him and the challenge of participating in a taxing eight-man tag match the night before their title bout, Zayn’s confidence and fan support position him as a genuine threat. This shift increases tension among top contenders like Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and others, injecting unpredictability into the Royal Rumble event.
The events in Riyadh, from backstage confrontations to in-ring battles and evolving alliances, reflect growing frustration and urgency among WWE’s elite competitors. With Brock Lesnar confirmed for the Rumble and multiple story arcs reaching critical points, the next few days promise high stakes and dramatic outcomes that could reshape WWE’s championship landscape.
