WWE SmackDown Results – Jan. 30, 2026 – Drew McIntyre & Sami Zayn Go Face-To-Face, WWE United States Title Open Challenge

Jan 30, 2026

January 30, 2026
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – King Abdullah Financial District
Commentary: Michael Cole and Wade Barrett
Results via Alex Kahrs of WrestleView.com

Quick Match Results

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge match – Carmelo Hayes (c) defeated Rey Fenix via Nothing But Net (pinfall)
Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss defeated Judgement Day via Sister Abigail (pinfall)
Axiom defeated Johnny Gargano via Golden Ratio (pinfall)
Ilja Dragunov defeated The Miz via H-Bomb (pinfall)
Eight-Man Tag Team match – Jey Uso, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, & Cody Rhodes defeated The Vision via Disqualification

Pre-show Arrivals

We get a look at WWE festivities within Riyadh ahead of Royal Rumble weekend, and Superstar Arrivals.

Video: WWE SNME Recap

A video package highlighting Saturday Night’s Main Event.

In-Ring: Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, The Vision, Nick Aldis

We head to ringside where Cody Rhodes makes his entrance, the crowd singing along to his theme as the American Nightmare heads down the ramp. Rhodes is soaking in the adulation as he gets a microphone inside the ring. For a split second there’s a smattering of boos, but that is drowned out by a “Cody, Cody Rhodes” chant.

Cody eventually asks Saudi Arabia what they wanna talk about, saying he half expected to start trading punches with Jacob Fatu after what went down recently. The crowd is electric and Cody acknowledges this, saying it sounds like they’re ready for the Royal Rumble. Another big pop as Cody addresses Drew beating him for the title, saying he still hasn’t taken the biggest victory of all. He says Drew should be out here taking SmackDown for his own, before turning the subject to the Rumble.

He says it would make all the sense in the world if he were to win the Rumble a third time (which seems to get some boos?) and challenge Drew McIntyre for the title, though he knows Drew is defending against a good friend of his in Sami Zayn (who gets cheers and an “Ole” chant). He says it would make sense to challenge for the title that’s near and dear to him, but he also recognizes he could face CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. “CM Punk” chant as Cody says he’s won the Rumble twice (again, to boos from the crowd) before he’s interrupted by the music of Randy Orton.

Crowd sings along to “Voices” as the Legend Killer makes his way down the ramp. Orton enters the ring to get a mic as the crowd continues singing and transitions to an “RKO” chant. Orton acknowledges the crowd as he shows some love, which is reciprocated by the crowd. Orton says everyone knows how he feels about Cody. They’re more than friends, they’re brothers. Nobody was more proud than he was of Cody winning the title, and more torn over him losing. Orton knows that a desperate Cody Rhodes is dangerous…but, Cody, there is nothing more dangerous than a Viper chasing number fifteen.

Tomorrow we will not be friends, we will not be brothers. Orton will have no respect for Cody or anyone else, ready to throw anyone and everyone over the top rope to take his shot. Remember, Cody, you’re not the only one who’s won the Rumble twice.

Orton is interrupted by Jey Uso, the World Tag Team Champion (and fellow former Rumble winner) hustling down the ramp for a brief Yeet session with the crowd. The music fades out, but the crowd calls for an encore as I start to wonder if I’m gonna watch a single wrestling match in the first hour. Jey gets a microphone, catching his breath as he addresses heading into the Rumble once again, looking to become the World Champion once again. Four letters, one word…uh uh…Yeet.

Never mind all that, however, as Sami Zayn makes his entrance to a big pop from the crowd. Zayn enters the ring for a mic of his own as the crowd chants “Ole,” and Sami greets the crowd in Arabic. While he would love to continue on he also recognizes that he’s in the ring with three world champions as he gets ready to challenge for the WWE title tomorrow at the Royal Rumble. The crowd chants back to which Sami responds before talking about how the WWE title has eluded him, as has a win against Drew McIntyre.

That said, he also has never lost a match in Riyadh, and he doesn’t plan to start tomorrow. He tells these former world champions that they are not going to be facing Drew on the other side of things, before he is interrupted by Paul Heyman.

Heyman introduces himself before saying he sees four men in the ring with no Vision. He sees Sami Zayn who will NOT win the WWE title tomorrow, and he sees three men who will not win the Royal Rumble. He gets interrupted by the crowd chanting “shut the f–k up” to which he tries to shut them down before continuing. Orton has had enough, calling for the Vision to come fight them…but Nick Aldis steps out to address things first.

Aldis says everyone can see where this is going, so let’s give these people a preview of the Royal Rumble. Let’s give them The Vision versus Randy Orton, Jey Uso, Cody Rhodes, and Sami Zayn in an Eight-Man Tag Team Match. The crowd cheers as commentary hypes that match up along with the United States Championship Open Challenge, coming up next!

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge Match
Rey Fenix vs. Carmelo Hayes (c)

We head to ringside as Carmelo Hayes gets a nice pop from the crowd. The champ enters the ring as Rey Fenix makes his return to SmackDown to…no pop (other than his pyro, and Michael Cole saying “hell yeah”). Some fans in the front row are kind enough to give him high fives as Fenix heads to the ring, and this opening match gets underway!

Hayes is quickly taken off his game by the challenger, who sends Melo out of the ring for a dive and a nice pop as we head to “break” with muted audio.

Hayes makes his way back into the ring, going at it with Fenix before countering a pin attempt for a nearfall of his own. He takes Rey down for another close nearfall, but Fenix takes him to the corner for some shots. Hayes takes the challenger back down for another nearfall. Fenix takes the fight back to Melo as we return from “break”…

…in time for Fenix to roll Hayes around for a nearfall! Springboard elbow gets Animo another two count. Melo sends his challenger to the ropes and drops him hard to the mat with a cross body. Hayes with some forearms before he’s sent to the corner…but he responds with a leaping DDT that drops Fenix hard for a two count!

Fenix is able to counter a First 48 for a nearfall of his own, before sending the champ to the corner. Fenix looks for a Fenix Driver but is taken down by Melo for two. Melo and Fenix trade kicks before knocking each other down to the canvas as the crowd chants in appreciation.

Both men are slow to get up but manage to do so, only to double down off the ropes as the feed fades to black for a moment for a “break.”

Hayes is the first to his feet before Fenix kips up, and the two trade strikes before Fenix is sent to the canvas for a nearfall by the champ. Hayes takes the challenger to the corner, but Rey fights back from the turnbuckle as we return from “break.”

A slight stumble doesn’t stop Rey for long before landing a double stomp on the back of Melo, and Fenix follows up with a moonsault taking the champ down hard for a two count. Fenix dodges a lariat, but is taken down by Melo for a nearfall. He hits the ropes, sending Rey right back down for another two count. Hayes goes up top now, but Fenix dodges him for a DDT of his own for two.

Fenix runs to the corner, but runs into a First 48 followed by the Nothing But Net as Hayes takes the win to retain!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes via Pinfall to retain the WWE United States Championship.

Hayes celebrates.

Backstage: Ilja Dragunov, The Miz

We see Dragunov watching backstage, before Miz approaches him to insist that Melo asked him to interfere in last week’s match. Dragunov introduces himself, joking that they could’ve had a simple chat but no, Miz decided to get in his business instead…and this week, Miz’s pain will entertain.

Those two will face off tonight, and we head to commercial.

Video: Brock Lesnar

Commentary hypes up the weekend ahead before taking a look at Brock Lesnar declaring himself for the Rumble match on Pat McAfee.

Backstage: Damian Priest, R-Truth

Backstage, Truth asks Aldis how he likes his balls as he tumbles the ol’ tumbler for the Rumble. Damian Priest shows up and finds out he’s in the match as well, and Truth lets him touch his balls as he gets to pick his Rumble entry number. It doesn’t seem too good for Priest but he says that just means more time to throw fools out before he walks off.

Backstage: Drew McIntyre

Elsewhere, we hear from Drew McIntyre as he addresses the four men that opened the show. That includes a man who’s never won a world title and hasn’t beaten him yet, remarking on Zayn getting in an eight-man tag match before saying he will do whatever it takes to keep his title. Will Sami do whatever it takes?

Commentary hypes up the 8-Man Tag match before we go to commercial.

Backstage: Rhiyo, Kiana James, Giulia, Nia Jax, Lash Legend

Backstage we hear from Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley, who are interrupted by Kianna James and Giulia as they address the Rumble match tomorrow. This and the tag title scene are addressed further by the arrival of Nia Jax, until we reach a point I call “everybody talks but no one’s saying anything” before officials break it up.

In-Ring: Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Judgement Day, Nick Aldis

Back at ringside, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss make their entrance to a decent pop as they head down the ramp showcasing what to expect from the in-ring gear tomorrow. Charlotte speaks first as she stakes her claim to win the Rumble…and there’s no one she’d rather have by her side than Alexa Bliss. This gets some boos and, I think, a “Charlotte sucks” chant (the other universal language) before Bliss says she had the same plan…to win the Royal Rumble.

She talks up being in the first women’s WWE match in the Middle East and wanting to be the first to win the women’s Rumble in Riyadh. Flair is surprised by this, asking if she’s gonna toss Flair over the top rope (which gets a “yes” chant), before Bliss asks the same…and out comes Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, and Raquel Rodriguez.

The Judgment Day’s ladies talk some smack, but opt not to fight the pair in the ring as the Rumble is tomorrow…only for Aldis to come out, saying if you step onto the stage on SmackDown you’re qualified to step in the ring to fight! Any two of you will face Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair right now. The ladies on the stage argue with Aldis as we go to commercial break.

Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Judgement Day (Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez)

We start with Morgan and Flair, with Liv taking the advantage for a tag to Perez…only for the pair to be sent to the mat with a double suplex by Charlotte! She tags in Alexa as they send the Judgment Day to the outside for a Bliss dive. Perez goes after Alexa upon her return to the ring, stomping away at the former women’s champion in the corner.

She distracts the ref, allowing Morgan to attack Bliss some more before Alexa fights back. Tag made to Liv, but Alexa takes her to the mat before Roxanne distracts the ref some more, allowing Rodriguez to trip up Bliss. Morgan lands an enziguri for a two count. Perez tags in, taking Alexa down for a two count.

Bliss crawls over for a tag before Perez blindsides her, pulling her away for an uppercut before sending Alexa to the ropes for more damage. She drops Bliss to the canvas for a nearfall as we go to “break.”

Morgan lands Three Amigos to keep Alexa down, sending her to the corner as Charlotte tries to intervene. This only keeps the ref’s attention on her, as Raquel and Roxanne beat up on Alexa in the corner. Morgan stays on the attack, sending Bliss to the corner before driving her face into the canvas for two. Tag made to Perez, who puts on a cravat to keep Alexa out of commission…only for a snapmare counter by Bliss to get her some distance. She looks for a tag once again but Morgan tags in to keep her away, pounding away with right hands followed by a Davey Boy style chinlock (citation needed) as we return from “break.”

Bliss fights to her feet but is kept away from a tag by Morgan, before the two trade nearfalls and roll around. Some dizziness shown on the aftermath as Bliss slaps Morgan away for a tag to Flair, who takes Liv and Roxanne down with a cross body. They get back to their feet, only to take chops from Flair (to “woo” chants and everything!) as Charlotte fires up.

She has both women on the mat and walks on them before heading to the corner for a moonsault. Charlotte covers Morgan, who kicks out at two. Morgan fights back from the ropes before countering out of a Figure Eight with an enziguri. Bliss tags back in to take Liv down for two, but Perez breaks it up.

Roxanne gets the tag and a dropkick goes into a side leg sweep for two by Perez. Flair intervenes but is cut off by Rodriguez, who herself is taken out by Stephanie Vaquer as Bliss hits the Sister Abigail for the win!

Winner: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss via Pinfall.

The pair celebrate with Vaquer looking on

Backstage: Jordynne Grace, Jade Cargill

We head backstage, where Jordynne Grace is interviewed about entering the Royal Rumble tomorrow. Her comments are interrupted as Jade Cargill blindsides her, and this leads to a brawl between the two before officials come in to break it up.

Axiom vs. Johnny Gargano

Back at ringside, Fraxiom make their entrance (as someone on production accidentally spoils that Bron Breakker is entering the Men’s Royal Rumble at #1, whoopsie!) with Axiom taking on newly-unpartnered Johnny Gargano up next! …

We head backstage, where Johnny Gargano is informed by Nick Aldis that Candice LaRae is barred from ringside, and if Axiom wins he gets his mask back from last week. With that, Gargano makes his entrance as this match gets underway!

Axiom takes the fight to Johnny early on, but Gargano takes control as the crowd sings “oh, Johnny Gargano” to help fire him up. Axiom manages to get back in it however, chopping away at Gargano before the latter takes him down for two. Axiom brings him to the ropes but is dropped to the outside, and Johnny celebrates with the blue mask on the apron as we head to “break.”

Gargano continues the attack as the crowd chant “NXT,” before he takes Axiom down with a dragon screw leg whip. He goes after the mask before going back to work on the arm and leg, only for Axiom to cradle him for a two count. They fight back to their feet as we return from “break.”

Gargano sends Axiom to a knee, but takes a Spanish Fly when he hits the ropes and Axiom takes a nearfall. Gargano sent to the outside for a moonsault off the top by Axiom, who brings Johnny back into the ring. He goes up top for a missile dropkick, but it’s only good for two as Gargano kicks out.

Johnny sent to the ropes by Axiom, who takes a thrust kick before Gargano hits a driver for a nearfall. He heads to the corner but gets caught by Axiom, only for Johnny Wrestling to send him to the mat. He sets up another driver and picks up a two count, the ref checking on Axiom as Gargano goes up top. Step up kick by Axiom, who sends Johnny down with a Spanish Fly to the canvas.

Axiom heads to the corner, grabbing his old mask as he looks to the Golden Ratio…but he takes a thrust kick by Gargano instead! Johnny rips the red mask off off Axiom, which should’ve garnered a disqualification…but in the corner we see Axiom slip on the old mask, allowing him to catch Gargano with Golden Ratio for the win!

Winner: Axiom via Pinfall.

Fraxiom celebrates

Backstage: Ilja Dragunov, Carmelo Hayes

Backstage, Hayes tries to assure Dragunov he had nothing to do with Miz’s mess from last week. Dragunov doesn’t care, he’s focused on beating Miz tonight before looking ahead to the future.

Video: WWE 2K26

WWE 2K26 features CM Punk on the base game cover (aka the one non-HHH version), and pre-orders begin today!

Backstage: Trick Williams

Backstage, Trick Williams is here. Let’s talk about it. He talks about going all around the world, before telling people to subscribe to his website, WorldWideWilly.com (citation needed). He hypes himself up before promising to win the Royal Rumble tomorrow. Let’s talk about it. I assume he’s done talking about it as he walks off.

In-Ring: AJ Styles, Gunther

We head to ringside as AJ Styles makes his entrance to a big pop from the crowd. Commentary hypes up his match tomorrow, as they make note that he must retire if he loses to Gunther. Styles enters the ring for a mic as the crowd chants his name.

AJ welcomes Riyadh to SmackDown, the house that AJ Styles built! He’s got “kind of a big match” tomorrow at the Rumble. Crowd interrupts by chanting his name, and AJ says some of them are worried about tomorrow. He’s not worried about tomorrow, in fact he’s gonna knock Gunther’s teeth down his throat, and that will kick off the Phenomenal Farewell Tour. He talks about the “one more time” matches against the likes of Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.

Crowd chants for CM Punk and Styles agrees, but he is quickly cut off by Gunther to a round of boos from the crowd. Gunther steps onto the announce table as he continues, giving Styles credit for his fantasy before saying none of that is going to happen. He says AJ made a mistake so severe it’s going to cost him his career.

Tomorrow at the Royal Rumble, Gunther is going to end AJ’s career, and he’s going to do it the same way he did to John Cena. He’s going to make AJ tap out. Styles says you’re really funny, Professor, because last time he checked Gunther was the one who tapped out…like a little b—h!

This riles up Gunther as he takes his blazer off and hops onto the apron…but he decides not to, grabbing his jacket and leaving through the crowd as AJ’s music hits.

Backstage: Shinsuke Nakamura, Tama Tonga

We head backstage as Tama Tonga confronts Shinsuke Nakamura, saying the Shinsuke he knows would’ve beaten AJ Styles last week. Nakamura says to him, Tonga is still a young punk, but anyway he needs to give a gift. He runs down Tama down in Japanese before saying he’ll see him in the ring next week.

Video: Roman Reigns

We get a video package highlighting Roman Reigns ahead of the Royal Rumble tomorrow, and a graphic highlighting the men’s Rumble match.

The Miz vs. Ilja Dragunov

The two lock up with Dragunov quickly taking Miz off his feet. Miz fights back up, sending Dragunov to the corner before the ref intervenes. Dragunov fires up and goes back after the arm of Miz, taking the former WWE Champion to the mat.

This brings both men to the corner, where Miz dodges a chop to get a side headlock. Shoulder tackle off the ropes by Miz, who ducks a clothesline only to take a chop to the chest by Ilja who boots him to the corner.

Running boot twice over takes Miz to the apron, but Miz blocks a suplex to hang Dragunov up on the top rope. Miz hits the ropes for a boot of his own, sending Dragunov through the ropes to the outside as we go to “break.”

Miz continues the attack, sending Dragunov to the floor before sending him into the barricade (right in front of Green Shirt Guy by the looks of it). Ilja back on his feet, only to be sent into the barricade once more by The Miz who mouths off with the crowd before sending Dragunov back into the ring for a boot to the face. He hits another running boot on Dragunov, attacking the back and face of the former United States Champion before cinching in a chinlock. Dragunov fights to his feet, but Miz jumps on his back as we return from “break.”

Ilja drops down to his knees but is back up, sending Miz into the corner. This gives him an opening for a few shots before looking for a powerbomb, but Miz counters to get a nearfall. He boots Ilja in the face a couple times, and this gets Dragunov up on his feet to land a flurry of shots.

Miz fights back with a chop, only to take a step up enziguri sending him into the ropes. He climbs up in the corner, taking a set of chops before fighting back with one of his own. Machine gun chops by the Mad Dragon, but Miz responds with a boot from the corner. Standing switch is reversed, sending Dragunov into the ropes…but a Constantine Special lays Miz out for two!

German suplex by Dragunov, and he holds on for a second on Miz. He lands a third before heading to the corner, but Miz counters an H-Bomb into a DDT for a nearfall. Skull Crushing Finale is countered, but Miz lays in some It Kicks to wear Dragunov down. Running clothesline in the corner now, and Miz goes up top only to take a slap by Dragunov. The two fight it out on the top turnbuckle, until Miz shoves Dragunov off to the canvas below.

Flying nothing as Miz takes a Torpedo and the H-Bomb, and Dragunov takes the win!

Winner: Ilja Dragunov via Pinfall.

Dragunov celebrates.

Backstage: Solo Sikoa, The MFTs, Wyatt Sicks

We cut to a video package of Solo Sikoa talking about making good on his promises. He took Uncle Howdy’s lantern and the Wyatt Sicks’s tag titles. He’s a man of his word, but these tag titles aren’t for him…they’re for his family. The job is not done yet, as Solo is going to win the Royal Rumble to take everything back where it belongs.

The video glitches out into a vignette from the Wyatt Sicks, as Bo Dallas tells Solo he’s wrong. Our lantern and the tag team championships will come back to the Sicks, and when they do the millions of fireflies around the world will illuminate the insecurities of Sikoa. They will not only take back what belongs to them, but they will make Solo’s greed his demise.

Royal Rumble 2026 Card Rundown

Commentary hypes up the card for the Royal Rumble.

Video: Oba Femi

Oba Femi is coming…and he is heading to the Royal Rumble!

Eight-Man Tag Team Match
The Vision (Austin Theory, Logan Paul, “Big” Bronson Reed, & Bron Breakker) vs. Jey Uso, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, & Cody Rhodes

We head to ringside for our main event, with The Vision making their entrance as we go to commercial break …

Back at ringside, Jey Uso has entered the ring as Randy Orton makes his entrance to a big pop. The crowd sings along to his theme as he heads to the ring. Out next is Sami Zayn to a big pop as well, but The Vision blindsides the three men in the ring before Cody Rhodes comes running out for the save! The crowd is singing along to Cody’s theme even though it’s not playing, as The Vision get sent out of the ring before we go to “break.”

“Ole” chants from the crowd as The Vision regroup on the outside, and all eight men stare each other down as the ref tries to get things going. We finally get the match underway with Theory and Sami starting things off!

Theory with a side headlock before he’s sent to the ropes, and Zayn takes control forcing Austin to the corner. Tag made to Breakker, who sends Zayn to the corner for some more damage, but Zayn fights back to tag in Jey Uso as we return from “break.”

Uso sends Breakker to the corner for some punches before knocking him to the mat. Rhodes tags in for a few shots on Bron before tagging Zayn back in, and they trade tags as they continue to wear down Breakker. Cody works over the arm of Breakker as he reaches for a tag to Orton, but Breakker takes Rhodes to the mat instead.

Tag made to Bronson Reed as the two big men go to work on the American Nightmare for a nearfall. Tag to Theory, but Rhodes starts fighting back before Austin lays into him against the ropes. Tag made to Bronson, who hangs up Cody on the ropes before Logan tags himself in for even more damage with some stomps in the corner. Gutwrench suplex by Paul, but a cover only gets a one count.

Cody looks for a tag but is kept away by Logan as Bron tags in, landing a suplex to take Rhodes back to the canvas. Cody tries to leap over him but Bron takes him right back to the corner, sending him out as The Vision gang up on him before we go to “break.”

Theory slams Cody before sending him back into the ring for some punches. He goes to work on the legs of Rhodes now, as Cody once again scrambles to his corner for a tag but to no avail. Suplex by Theory for two. Tag made to Paul, who keeps Rhodes worn down until Reed tags in as we return from “break.”

Breakker with a tag and the two big men double-team Rhodes for a two count. Tag made to Paul, who sends Cody to the corner for a splash…but Cody dodges it! Logan with a tag to Bron to keep Cody isolated, as Theory and then Reed tag to continue the attack. Sami and Jey get knocked off the apron as Reed misses a splash, and that allows Cody to get the tag to Orton!

Theory is the main target of Orton’s attack, as he takes a draping DDT from the Viper. Logan blindsides Orton to stop an RKO, but he is then sent out of the ring by Sami. It’s absolute bedlam now as Reed tries to clear out the ring, only to be sent out of the ring by Cody who gets sent out by Theory…who takes an RKO by Orton!

Cover by Orton, but Logan breaks it up. Cody comes in for a Cross Rhodes before Reed takes him down. Sami gets in on the action, sending Reed down with a tornado DDT before setting him up for a Helluva Kick…only for Drew to pull him out of the ring, attacking him as the ref calls for the bell!

Winner: Jey Uso, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, & Cody Rhodes via Disqualification.

The attack on Sami continues until Jacob Fatu’s music hits…but the Samoan Werewolf blindsides him! He sends Drew to the outside before leaving as we turn our attention to Sami in the ring, looking at the WWE Championship that was left behind. He goes to pick it up, but so does Cody Rhodes…before they both get taken out by a Bron Breakker spear! He stands tall as SmackDown comes to a close.