WWE SmackDown Notes: Randy Orton, Damian Priest, & Ilja Dragunov Declared for Men’s Royal Rumble, WWE Accidentally Spoils Bron Breakker Being #1 Entrant for Men’s Royal Rumble

Randy Orton, Damian Priest, & Ilja Dragunov Declared for Men’s Royal Rumble

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia featured Randy Orton, Damian Priest, and Ilja Dragunov officially declaring themselves for this year’s Men’s Royal Rumble match at Royal Rumble 2026, which takes place on January 31st at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Orton declared himself during a very lengthy promo segment that featured Orton, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and The Vision all talking about their involvement in this year’s Men’s Royal Rumble match. Orton, Rhodes, Uso, and Zayn all made their claims for why they will win it this year while Paul Heyman made his claim for why Bron Breakker will win it with the help of The Vision.

Randy Orton tells Cody Rhodes if he has the chance, he’ll eliminate him from the Royal Rumble without hesitation #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/qiFJubowQq

— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) January 30, 2026

In another segment, Priest was declared for the Men’s Royal Rumble during a backstage promo segment involving Priest, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and R-Truth.

Nick Aldis announces that Damian Priest is in the Royal Rumble.

Priest drew his number, which didn’t seem good. He said it at least gives him more time to throw people out.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/JOEYPPf7Tt

— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) January 30, 2026

In another segment, Dragunov came out for his match against The Miz and Michael Cole revealed that Dragunov will be competing in his first ever Men’s Royal Rumble match at this Saturday’s event.

MICHAEL COLE ANNOUNCES THAT ILJA DRAGUNOV AND THE MIZ WILL FIGHT TOMORROW IN THE ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/5bCXvoY9XW

— Lyra Valkyria,Roman Reigns,The Heads Of Industry. (@AldoEmpire2003) January 30, 2026

Current field for 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match:

• Cody Rhodes
• Gunther
• Jey Uso
• Penta
• Dragon Lee
• Rey Mysterio
• Roman Reigns
• Solo Sikoa
• R-Truth
• Jacob Fatu
• Bron Breakker
• “Big” Bronson Reed
• Logan Paul
• Austin Theory
• Je’Von Evans
• Oba Femi
• Gunther
• Randy Orton
• Damian Priest
• Ilja Dragunov

Current card for WWE Royal Rumble 2026:

• Undisputed WWE Championship – Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre (c)
• AJ Styles career threatening match – AJ Styles vs. Gunther
• Men’s Royal Rumble match – Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther vs. Jey Uso vs. Penta vs. Dragon Lee vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa vs. R-Truth vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Bron Breakker vs. “Big” Bronson Reed vs. Logan Paul vs. Austin Theory vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton vs. Damian Priest vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. TBAs
• Women’s Royal Rumble match – Rhea Ripley vs. IYO SKY vs. Liv Morgan vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Kairi Sane vs. Asuka vs. Chelsea Green vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax vs. Lash Legend vs. Giulia vs. Kiana James vs. Becky Lynch vs. TBAs

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WWE Accidentally Spoils Bron Breakker Being #1 Entrant in Men’s Royal Rumble

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured WWE accidentally spoiling who will enter first in the Men’s Royal Rumble match at this Saturday’s Royal Rumble 2026 event.

During Axiom’s entrance for his singles match against Johnny Gargano, the wrong name plate graphic was displayed on the screen that stated Bron Breakker as being the first entrant for this year’s Men’s Royal Rumble event.

Uhhhh did WWE just spoil that Bron Breakker is number one in the Royal Rumble??? 💀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/NUuD3Pp1mE

— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) January 30, 2026