WWE SmackDown Notes: Damian Priest, Jacob Fatu, Santos Escobar Declares for Men’s Rumble, Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, Zelina Vega, & Candice LeRae Declares for Women’s Rumble, Stephanie McMahon Surprise Appearance, R-Truth Moved Over to SmackDown

Jan 31, 2025

Damian Priest & Santos Escobar Declares for Men’s Royal Rumble Match

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana featured Damian Priest and Santos Escobar officially declaring himself for the Men’s Royal Rumble match at this Saturday’s Royal Rumble 2025 event at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

During the show, Priest came out to the ring and talked about his time on the RAW brand and his new home on SmackDown. Priest stated that he isn’t trying to make a name or impact here. Priest stated that his goal is championships. Priest then stated that starts tomorrow when he throws asses over the top rope and claimed he will win the Royal Rumble, officially announcing himself in the process.

"Here, the goal is championships."@ArcherOfInfamy has his eyes on the World Heavyweight Championship 👀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/gD4hKsJTu9
— WWE (@WWE) February 1, 2025

This led to Jacob Fatu’s music playing and him coming out to the ring with fellow The Bloodline member Tama Tonga. After some heated streets-related banter between Fatu and Priest, Fatu also declared himself for the Men’s Rumble and a brawl broke out that ended with LA Knight running out with a chair and helped clear the ring of The Bloodline.

Later in the show, Legado Del Fantasma were seen backstage talking about their upcoming Eight-Man Tag Team match and got interrupted by Motor City Machine Guns. MCMG asked Los Garzas is they have their backs and they all need to win. This led to Escobar responding back telling MCMG they already have it easy since they have their chance at gold tomorrow while he has to win the whole thing to get that chance, in the process revealing that he will be competing in the Men’s Royal Rumble match. After some more words, Escobar and Elektra Lopez left and Los Garzas told MCMG if they win the tag titles back, then they want the first shot at it.

Santos Escobar entra al Royal Rumble Varonil #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/9X5t5VvkzR
— Fightful Español (@FightfulEspanol) February 1, 2025

Current field for Men’s Royal Rumble match at 2025 WWE Royal Rumble:

LA Knight
John Cena
CM Punk
Jey Uso
Roman Reigns
Seth Rollins
Drew McIntyre
Rey Mysterio
Sami Zayn
Shinsuke Nakamura
Logan Paul
Penta
Chad Gable
Bron Breakker
Carmelo Hayes
Damian Priest
Jacob Fatu
Santos Escobar

Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, Zelina Vega, & Candice LeRae Declares for Women’s Rumble Match

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, Zelina Vega, and Candice LeRae officially declaring themselves for this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble match at Saturday’s Royal Rumble 2025 event.

During the show, Green and Piper Niven were seen backstage for an interview with Byron Saxton. Green talked about her upcoming Women’s United States title defense against Michin on the show and officially declared both herself and Niven for the Women’s Royal Rumble match and claimed she will win it.

Later in the show, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton was seen walking backstage only to be stopped by Vega who told Stratton that she has her eyes on Stratton’s title and declared herself for the Women’s Rumble.

Zelina Vega is in the Royal Rumble and is going after Tiffany Stratton, LETS GO. That’s my Iron Woman right there #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/0BvWs2KvFs
— Generation (@GEnErationalll) February 1, 2025

In another segment later in the show, Stratton came out to the ring for an interview with Michael Cole and Pat McAfee only to be interrupted for the second time on the show by LeRae. During her promo badmouthing Stratton, LeRae also declared herself for the Women’s Rumble.

Nia Jax got some payback on @tiffstrattonwwe 😤#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/UDxSM2uvWk
— WWE (@WWE) February 1, 2025

Current field for Women’s Royal Rumble match at 2025 WWE Royal Rumble:

Nia Jax
Bayley
Charlotte Flair
Naomi
Bianca Belair
Liv Morgan
Raquel Rodriguez
Lyra Valkyria
Ivy Nile
IYO SKY
Chelsea Green
Piper Niven
Zelina Vega
Candice LeRae

Stephanie McMahon Makes Surprise Appearance on Friday’s WWE SmackDown Show

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured former WWE co-CEO Stephanie McMahon making a surprise appearance.

Prior to the start of Damian Priest’s in-ring promo segment, McMahon was shown seated at ringside with a child next to her.

Original WWE SmackDown GM Stephanie McMahon was in the crowd tonight.pic.twitter.com/uYvbMw7HhW
— Robert DeFelice (@dudefelice) February 1, 2025

R-Truth Moved Over to SmackDown Brand

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured RAW brand talent R-Truth being announced to have officially been moved over to the SmackDown brand.

During the show, Damian Priest was seen walking backstage and was stopped by Santos Escobar. Escobar told Priest that SmackDown is a hard place to survive and he is here if he needs help only for Priest to reject the offer. Priest then looked over the other direction revealing R-Truth just hanging around. R-Truth welcomed Priest to RAW, which led to Priest responding stating that its Friday and this is SmackDown. After some words, Truth stated that he talked to Adam Pierce who has hair and an accent now. This led to Priest giving a facepalm look and told Truth to never change before stepping away.