WWE SmackDown Spoilers & Results (January 30, 2026): Drew McIntyre attacks Sami Zayn to kick off massive brawl before Royal Rumble; Bron Breakker flatlines Cody Rhodes & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
Jade Cargill, Jordynne Grace brawl; AJ Styles Gunther face off & more!
The Road to WrestleMania will officially begin at the Royal Rumble, but WWE SmackDown on January 30, 2026, carried major momentum coming out of an explosive WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.
The episode aired live from the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The go-home show of the Blue brand set the stage for the first PLE of 2026, with multiple promos, segments, and brawls. The U.S. title open challenge also continued on the show.
Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winners’ list for the 01/30 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
The American Nightmare in Riyadh
Cody Rhodes hyped up the Riyadh crowd ahead of the Royal Rumble and criticized Drew McIntyre, calling out McIntyre, urging him to stand up and be a role model. Rhodes then suggested that it would make sense if he won the Royal Rumble for a third time. This drew a chorus of boos and loud “NO” chants from the crowd.
Rhodes then added that even if he won the Rumble, he might not end up facing McIntyre, noting that McIntyre was set to defend the Undisputed title against Cody’s friend Sami Zayn tomorrow. Cody went on to tease choosing CM Punk, saying they would have to get to that eventually, before reminding everyone that he had already won the Royal Rumble twice.
Randy Orton then made his way out and expressed his love for the crowd, spoke about his relationship with Cody, calling him a brother, and praising his accomplishments. He then stated that at the Royal Rumble, every man was for himself. While Orton acknowledged that a desperate Cody Rhodes was dangerous, he warned that nothing was more dangerous than a Viper chasing number 15.
Orton made it clear that they would not be brothers the next night and that he would not hesitate to eliminate Cody if given the chance. He also reminded Rhodes that he was not the only one to have won the Royal Rumble twice.
That brought out Jey Uso, who entered the ring full of energy after the crowd’s “yeet” chants. Jey said the others were talking about winning the Rumble three times, but his goal was to win back-to-back Rumbles and reclaim the World Heavyweight Championship.
Sami Zayn then joined them, greeting the crowd in Arabic before switching to English. Zayn said he was standing in the ring with three of the very best and, since everyone was discussing their Royal Rumble plans, he wanted to share his own.
He reminded everyone that he would be challenging Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed title and said the match represented three stories for him: his desire to finally win a world title, his 0–11 record against McIntyre, and the fact that he had never lost a match in Saudi Arabia. Zayn said he planned to walk out as champion and warned that whoever won the Rumble would not be facing McIntyre, but him.
Paul Heyman then appeared alongside the Vision, consisting of Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory. Heyman said he saw four superstars in the ring but no Vision, before declaring that Zayn would not become champion. The crowd erupted with chants telling Heyman to shut up as he continued, claiming that the night would belong to Bron Breakker.
Orton responded by telling Heyman to be quiet and challenged the Vision to get in the ring for a fight. GM Nick Aldis then arrived to restore order and announced an eight-man tag team main event, pitting the Vision against Zayn, Jey Uso, Cody Rhodes, and Randy Orton, making the match official.
Grade: B+
Insights & Backstage Moments:
- A great segment to kick off the go-home show, the Saudi fans were loud for the babyfaces, especially Sami and Randy.
Carmelo Hayes (c) vs Rey Fenix – U.S. title open challenge
Rey Fenix answered the United States Open Challenge to battle Carmelo Hayes in the first match of the show. Despite a tough fight, Fenix was unable to secure the pin as Hayes recovered to hit First 48, followed by Nothin But Net to secure the pin and retain the title.
Winner & Still: Carmelo Hayes
Grade: B+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- This is the first singles clash between Hayes and Fenix, as noted by Cole during the commentary.
- Hayes defended the title for the fifth time against Fenix. His title reign is now approaching 50 days (42 right now).
- Backstage, Miz caught up with Ilja Dragunov, stating that it was not his idea to cost Dragunov the title match against Carmelo and revealing that Hayes had come to him with the plan. Dragunov said that he did not know whether Miz was working with Melo, but pain will entertain either way, putting the A-Lister on notice ahead of their clash.
- Backstage, Aldis and R-Truth were discussing the entry-number tumbler when Damian Priest arrived. Aldis informed Priest that he would be competing in the Royal Rumble match. R-Truth spun the tumbler to reveal Priest’s entry number, which was far from ideal. Truth offered to spin again, but Priest brushed it off, saying it simply meant he would have more time to throw people out.
- Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Drew McIntyre, where the champion took a verbal shot at Sami Zayn for competing the night before their title match. McIntyre said he was prepared to go to any lengths to remain champion and questioned whether Zayn was willing to make the same kind of commitment.
Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez) – Tag Team match
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss bickered over who should win the Rumble match, both making a case for their own win until Liv Morgan interuppted alongside Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez. Morgan mocked the two, leading Flair to challenge them to a match. Liv rejected, stating that they have better things to do, but Nick Aldis appeared to make the match official right away.
Perez and Liv gained the upper hand due to interferences from Raquel and a wise game plan of isolating Bliss. However, it all fell apart when Stephanie Vaquer arrived, taking Rodriguez out of the equation. Bliss hit Sister Abigail DDT on Perez and secured the win.
Winner: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
Grade: B
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Backstage before the match, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky spoke about their plans for the Royal Rumble with Cathy Kelley, stressing that despite the chaos of the match, they intended to remain aligned once it was over. The conversation was soon interrupted by Kiana James and Giulia, before Nia Jax and Lash Legend also arrived, with each staking their claim to winning the Royal Rumble and aiming for the Tag Team titles next.
- Backstage, Cathy Kelley’s interview with Jordynne Grace turned into chaos as Jade Cargill attacked Grace, leading to a brawl between the two until security arrived.
Axiom vs Johnny Gargano
Before the match, GM Nick Aldis informed Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae that LeRae was banned from the ringside and that if Axiom wins, he will get his mask back. Nathan Frazer was ringisde during the match as Axiom looked to replicate his tag partner’s win from last week and take back his stolen mask.
Axiom managed to defeat Gargano, despite the latter once again ripping off his mask, as Axiom put on the stolen mask to hit the Golden Ratio and pin Gargano to secure the win.
Winner: Axiom
Grade: B-
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Backstage, Carmelo Hayes confronted Ilja Dragunov over Dragunov’s belief that he had a hand in The Miz’s interference the previous week. Dragunov pointed out that Hayes had been right there during the incident, leaving him unsure of what to believe. Hayes attempted to defend himself, but Dragunov made it clear that he would deal with The Miz first and then turn his attention back to Hayes, adding that he was not asking for another match; he was expecting it.
- In an interview with Cathy Kelley backstage, Trick Williams declared his entry into the 2026 men’s Royal Rumble match.
AJ Styles – Gunther face off
AJ Styles welcomed Riyadh to the house that ‘AJ Styles built’ before turning his attention to his major match at the Royal Rumble tomorrow. The Phenomenal One told the fans they had nothing to worry about, promising to defeat Gunther and officially kick off his Phenomenal Farewell Tour.
AJ then named several stars he wanted one more run with, including Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and CM Punk. Gunther interrupted and climbed onto the announce desk, saying he appreciated AJ’s fantasies but none of them would come true. He claimed that deep down, Styles knew facing him was a mistake that would ultimately cost him his career.
Gunther declared that he would end AJ’s career at the Royal Rumble, saying he would do it the same way he did to Styles’ longtime friend John Cena, by making him tap out.
Styles fired back by reminding Gunther that he had made him tap out in their previous match, mocking him in the process. This angered Gunther, who stepped onto the apron as AJ challenged him to enter the ring. Gunther ultimately backed down, stepping off the apron and leaving, while Styles celebrated with the crowd.
Grade: B
Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Backstage, Tama Tonga ran into Shinsuke Nakamura and couldn’t resist teasing his former NJPW colleague about his loss to Styles at SNME, joking that Nakamura should kick off his own retirement tour, dubbed the “Shinsuke Sayonara Tour.” Nakamura just shook his head, stating that Tonga got some confidence, but for him, he is “still a young punk,” and said he’d see him next week.
Ilja Dragunov vs The Miz
Ilja Dragunov handed Miz another loss in their singles clash after delivering the H-Bomb, catching Miz mid-air from the ropes. Dragunov followed it up with the Torpedo Moscow to secure the win as he looks to challenge Carmelo Hayes for the U.S. title once again.
Winner: Ilja Dragunov
Grade: B-
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- With another defeat, The Miz has now gone without a singles win since February 5, 2024.
- Solo Sikoa cut a promo, claiming he had followed through on his promises to The Wyatt Sicks and Uncle Howdy. He insisted that the tag titles weren’t just for him; they were the gold he had vowed to bring to his family. Solo vowed to win both the Royal Rumble and the WWE Championship. Uncle Howdy fired back, warning that the MFTs had yet to taste victory, that they would reclaim the lantern and the belts, and that the fireflies would be on their side. He added that Solo’s own greed would ultimately be his downfall.
The Vision (Bron Breakker, Austin Theory, Logan Paul & Bronson Reed) vs Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso & Cody Rhodes – Eight-man tag team match
The main eight-man tag team match between The Vision (Bron Breakker, Austin Theory, Logan Paul & Bronson Reed) vs Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso & Cody Rhodes ended in disqualification when Drew McIntyre dragged Sami out of the ring and attacked him, sparking a massive brawl.
McIntyre then brought Sami back into the ring and lined up to strike him when Jacob Fatu arrived, attacking Drew from behind, taking him out with a dive from the ropes, and Cody followed up by hitting Fatu with his own dive from the ropes.
Rhodes slammed Fatu into the ring post, but Drew quickly retaliated, driving Cody into the post before sending him back into the ring for a Claymore. As Drew lined up for the Claymore, Sami dropped him with a Helluva Kick. Zayn glanced at the title and reached for it, while Cody also went to pick it up. The two men began talking when Breakker ran in and flatlined them both with a double spear to end the show.
Winner: Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso & Cody Rhodes via DQ
Grade: B+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Another Oba Femi vignette aired before the main event, hyping up his main roster debut at the Royal Rumble.
- A great show to set the stage for the Royal Rumble PLE, every match delivered as expected, and the backstage segment further helped the build.
WWE SmackDown Results 01/30
- Carmelo Hayes (c) pinned Rey Fenix – U.S title open challenge
- Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss defeated The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez) – Tag Team match
- Axiom defeated Johnny Gargano
- Ilja Dragunov pinned The Miz
- The Vision (Bron Breakker, Austin Theory, Logan Paul & Bronson Reed) vs Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso & Cody Rhodes ended in DQ as Drew McIntyre attacked Sami
Who won in the main event of WWE SmackDown tonight?
The main event clash between The Vision (Bron Breakker, Austin Theory, Logan Paul & Bronson Reed) vs Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso & Cody Rhodes ended in DQ as Drew McIntyre attacked Sami.
When and where will the 2026 edition of the Royal Rumble take place?
The 39th annual Royal Rumble will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.