This Friday, WWE SmackDown will air at a special early time to accommodate its live event at KAFD Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Coinciding with the lead-up to the 2026 Royal Rumble, the show will start at 12:00 PM EST (9:00 AM PST) on Netflix, with the local Riyadh time being 8:00 PM AST.
Viewing Arrangements and Broadcast Details
International viewers, including those using a VPN, can stream the event live on Netflix. Meanwhile, fans in the United States will have the option to watch SmackDown later the same day as it airs on tape delay at 8:00 PM EST on the USA Network.
Featured Wrestlers and Upcoming Storylines
The episode expected on January 30 will showcase developments following Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC. The special opened with a confrontation between Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu that escalated into a brawl before the match officially began. Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, known as the Scottish Warrior, intervened and assaulted both combatants, delivering a spectacular table-breaking attack.
McIntyre also attempted a sneak attack on the number one contender Sami Zayn, but Zayn successfully repelled him. Among the stars slated to appear are WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Damian Priest, and Cody Rhodes.
Significance and What to Expect Next
This episode of SmackDown is poised to build on the intense rivalries and storylines from Saturday Night’s Main Event, setting the stage for future matches and events related to the Royal Rumble. WWE fans can follow live updates and detailed coverage every Friday through multiple platforms.
“The segment ended with Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre attacking both Rhodes and Fatu, sending them through tables.” ?WrestleZone
“The Scottish Warrior later attempted a sneak attack on number one contender Sami Zayn, but Zayn threw him out of the ring.” ?WrestleZone
