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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JANUARY 30, 2026
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA AT KAFD
AIRED ON DELAY ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Eric Corbridge review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpostshow@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
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[HOUR ONE]
-The WWE “Then, Now, Forever… Together” brand stamp aired, as always.
-Michael Cole introduced the show as they showed an aerial scene of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He called it “a vibrant, bustling metropolis… the country’s major financial hub in the center of the country.” They showed snippets of wrestlers doing stuff around town, then scenes of Gunther, A.J. Styles, Drew McIntyre, and Sami Zayn.
-A video package recapped Saturday Night’s Main Event.
-As they showed an aerial view of the outdoor venue across the highway from downtown, he said 18,000 fans were expected. He said, as is typical in Saudi Arabia, the crowd was late-arriving. The wide view showed a lot of empty seats on the hard camera side – like, it was almost completely empty.
-Cody Rhodes made his entrance. They cut to Cole and Wade Barrett at ringside. Cole said they couldn’t hear themselves with everyone singing Cody’s song. He said there’d be over 18,000 tonight and over 25,000 tomorrow night. He said all Drew won was the title and not the most important thing that comes with it, and he said Drew might never know what that means. He said Drew has a “Twitter-finger,” but here’s his chance to appear in front of the fans. He said instead he dropped the ball. Fans chanted, “Cody! Cody!” He brought up that Drew is facing Sami tomorrow night.
He said if he wins the Royal Rumble, he could choose to face Drew and that would be logical, but C.M. Punk is the World Champion, and “we gotta do this eventually, bud.” He said he is going into the Rumble with someone no one else in the field has, which is he’s won it twice before. Randy Orton’s theme song then played.
Orton walked out to big cheers. He slapped hands at ringside and soaked up fans singing his song. He said, “Saudi Arabia, I love you guys!” They’re 16 minutes into the show at this point. Orton said they’re more than friend, they’re brothers, and no one was more proud of him more when he won the title and on one knew more than him how much it tore up his gut to lose the title. “I know a desperate Cody Rhodes is dangerous,” he said. He added that with all of that said, he will gladly eliminate him. He told Cody to remember that he’s not the only one who has won the Rumble twice. Jey Uso’s music interrupted and he charged out to the ring.
Jey waved his arms with the fans for a while, including a second run through. Jey said he’s going to walk into and out of WrestleMania as the World Champion again. Fans chanted “Yeet!” during pauses. Sami Zayn’s music played and he walked out.
Sami spoke in Arabic first. He said since everyone is speaking about their Royal Rumble plans, he would add to it. He said he faces Drew for the World Title. He said it is the “one title that has eluded me the entire year.” He said Drew has defeated him 11 times and he has defeated him zero times. He said he has never lost a match in Saudi Arabia and he doesn’t plan to starting now. He said if any of them win the Royal Rumble, it won’t be Drew waiting to face them, “it will be me.” Paul Heyman interrupted.
He said his name is Paul Heyman. He was accompanied by Bronson Reed, Bron Breakker, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory. He said when he looks at his four men, he sees The Vision. He said when he looks at the ring, he sees four huge WWE Superstars “but no vision at all.” He said Sami won’t win the WWE Title and the other three will not win the Rumble. He said tomorrow night will be Bron Breakker’s night. Fans booed.
Orton interjected, “Paul, I’m going to have to beg you, I’m going to have to plead with you to shut the hell up.” He called them all to thering fo ran ass kicking. Breakker got wide-eyed. Logan was getting worked up. G.M. Nick Aldis stepped out and said everyone can see where this is going, “so let’s hurry up and get there.” He said it’s time to give Riyadh a Royal Rumble preview in an eight-man tag match.
-Cole plugged Carmelo Hayes would defend his U.S. Title next. [c]
(1) CARMELO HAYES vs. REY FENIX – U.S. Title Open Challenge match
Hayes came out first and they showed a clip of him defeating Ilja Dragunov last week and then getting into a shouting match with Miz. When Fenix made his entrance, Cole said, “Hell yeah!” The bell rang 37 minutes into the hour. Rey got in an early flurry of offense and they cut to a very early break after Fenix landed a running corkscrew plancha over the top rope. [c/db]
At 7:00, after a flurry of rapid-action, they kicked each other at the same time and both went down and were slow to get up. A minute later they collided mid-ring and they cut to a break at 8:00. [c]
Back from the break, Fenix landed his Fire Stomp off the top rope. Carmelo countered Fenix a minute later and scored a two count.
Hayes hit a First 48 and then climbed to the top rope and landed a Nothing But Net legdrop to the back of Fenix’s neck for the win. Cole said Fenix made one slight mistake and paid the price.
WINNER: Hayes in 15:00 to retain the U.S. Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Tremendous athleticism, as you’d expect with these two.)
-Miz approached Dragunov backstage. He said Carmelo is so worried about protecting his title last week that Carmelo did the one thing no one thought he’d do and he came to him. He said he doesn’t have a beef with Dragunov and doesn’t even know him. Dragunov introduced himself, then shook his hand. He squeeze hard and leaned into Miz, who was wincing, and he said, regardless of if he worked with Carmelo, “Your pain will entertain.” [c]
-Cole hyped the Rumble schedule.
-A clip aired of Brock Lesnar calling into the Pat McAfee Show that he was in the Rumble. McAfee said there are a lot of “young bucks” in the match. He said “young bucks” a few times.
-R-Truth asked Aldis how he likes his balls. Aldis said he handles them like a pro. Truth said, “It’s ain’t my first time.” Aldis said he didn’t doubt that. Damian Priest walked in and asked if he’s in the Rumble. Aldis said he made hit happen, so he’s in. Priest drew a number out of the tumbler and it wasn’t good. Truth looked at it and said, “My bad, you can go again.” Aldis said he can’t. Priest said it just gives him more time to throw some fools around.
[HOUR TWO]
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Drew about facing Sami Zayn. Drew said Sami has will always put his stupid foot in his stupid mouth and he got himself in an eight-man tag the night before the Rumble. He said he will do whatever it takes to keep his title. He asked if Sami is willing to do whatever it takes to take it from him. [c]
Kelley interviewed Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. She asked them if they’re thought about what happens if it comes down to just the two of them. Ripley said it is every woman for herself, but they’ll stay friends either way. Kiana James and Giulia interrupted. James said the Rhyo thing is cute, but it will ultimately be their undoing. James said it won’t come down to the two of them anyway. Nia Jax and Lash Legend stepped into the picture and soon they were all bickering. Producers and referees stepped in to try to calm them.
-Charlotte Flair made her entrance. Then Alexa Bliss. Barrett said he’s sensing tension between them. Cole pushed back hard on that. Charlotte said they are one day away from the Rumble. She said she is winning the Rumble and going on to WrestleMania, and there’s no one she wants watching her back more than Bliss. Bliss said she has the same plan. Charlotte thanked her. Bliss clarified she meant she’s going to win and she’ll love having Charlotte watching her back. Charlotte said she won’t help her win. Bliss said she’d toss her over the top since it’s every woman for herself. Charlotte asked if she’d really toss out their friendship. Bliss asked if she would. Liv Morgan’s music interrupted and she walked out with Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez.
Liv said it was “cute the two besties were fighting.” She said while they’re fighting, one of them will win the Rumble. Bliss said having the other two with her helping her win isn’t a plan. Charlotte told them to come to the ring. Fans chanted “Yes!” Liv said yes, but they stopped after a few steps. She said they have better things to do, which is prepare for the Rumble. Aldis walked out and said he has an official rule that if you step onto the stage, you are volunteering to step into the ring. He booked a tag match with two of them against Charlotte & Bliss. [c]
(2) CHARLOTTE & ALEXA BLISS vs. LIV MORGAN & ROXANNE PEREZ (w/Raquel Rodriguez)
The match was joined in progress 18 minutes into the hour. Cole talked about Bliss’s history of success in Saudi Arabia. They cut to a double-box break at 4:00 with Liv in control of Bliss. [c/db]
Back from the break, Stephanie Vaquer took out Raquel at ringside. Bliss then gave Perez a Sister Abigail for the win.
WINNES: Bliss & Charlotte in 12:00.
-Kelley interviewed Jordynn Grace backstage. Grave said the Rumble can change your life, and she always bets on herself. She said she’ll win and give Jade Cargill a reality check. Jade jumped her and said she won’t ever beat her. Grace popped up and they brawled, then were pulled apart by referees and producers.
-Axiom and Nathan Frazer made their ring entrance. [c]
-Cole hyped that the vacant NXT Title would be filled in a six-man ladder match next Tuesday.
-Backstage, Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae bumped into Aldis. Aldis told LeRae she was banned from ringside. They threw a fit. Aldis told Gargano he is protecting him from her. He also said if Axiom wins, he gets the mask back. Gargano said, “Are you kidding me? That’s a stupid stipulation, Nick.”
(3) JOHNNY GARGANO vs. AXIOM (w/Nathan Fraser)
The bell rang 41 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Gargano scored a near fall at 7:00 after slamming Axiom onto his head and shoulders. He followed up by climbing to the top rope. Axiom got up and kicked him in the head. Gargano yanked Axiom’s mask off. As he admired it, Axiom put his blue mask on that was on the ring apron. He then hit Golden Ratio for the win.
WINNERS: Axiom in 10:00.
-Dragunov approached Carmelo and said tonight he’s going to go out there and fight Miz. He said after that, he’s coming for him. He was skeptical he didn’t ask Miz for help. [c]
-Kelley interviewed Trick Williams who said he’s putting on a show wherever he goes. He said everyone should subscribe to his website, www.worldwidewilly.com. He said he is going to be the last man standing in the ring in the Rumble. “Let’s talk about it,” he said.
-Styles made his entrance. He said he was in the area and decided to stop by. He said he has a big match tomorrow.
[HOUR THREE]
Fans loudly chanted, “A.J. Styles!” He said not to worry about him. He said after he wins, he’ll start the Phenomenal Farewell Tour. He listed possible matches against Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes. Fans loudly chanted, “C.M. Punk!” He said, “One more time against C.M…” at which point he was interrupted by Gunther.
“Rah rah rah, A.J.” he said, strutting with self-satisfaction. Gunther said he made a mistake that will cost him his career. He vowed to make him tap out. Styles said, “You’re real funny, professor.” He said the last time he checked, it was Gunther who tapped out “like a little bitch.” Gunther leaped onto the ring apron angrily. Then he hopped down when Styles looked ready for a fight. Fans booed. Cole said Gunther wants to do things on his terms. Styles’s music played.
-Tama Tonga told Shinsuke Nakamura that it might be time for Nakamura to follow Styles on his way out. Nakamura said he has a funny confidence, but he’s a young punk. He sai dhe’d see him in the ring next week.
-Miz made his ring entrance. [c]
-Cole hyped the Royal Rumble. A graphic focused on Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Brock Lesnar, and Oba Femi in the first graphic; then Orton, Jey, Fatu, and Je’Von Evans, then Theory, Breakker, Logan, and Reed; then Rey, Fenix, Penta, and Solo, then Priest and three blacked out images.
(4) THE MIZ vs. ILYA DRAGUNOV
The bell rang 14 minutes into the hour. Cole noted Mi will enter his 14th Rumble, behind only Kane’s 17 appearances. Barrett said Dragunov is like Sheamus where when you know you’re getting in the ring with them, you wince in anticipation of what’s coming your way. They cut to an early break. [c]
Miz raked Dragunov’s eyes at 11:00. He leaped off the top rope, but Dragunov hit him with Torpedo Moscow and then finished him with an H-Bomb fistdrop for the win.
WINNER: Dragunov in 12:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good effort. Miz isn’t an ideal opponent for Dragunov, but they worked hard and put on a solid match.)
-A video aired with Solo Sikoa sitting at a table with his men behind him. He talked about being a man of his word. He said the WWE Tag Team Titles are for his family. He handed them to Talla Tonga. He said he’s going to win the Rumble. Bo Dallas interrupted and said Solo thinks he won, but he was mistaken and has severely underestimated the weight of sacrifice. He said the tag titles will come back to them. He said when they get the titles back, the Fireflies will illuminate his insecurities. He said he make sure their dream is their demise.
-They cut to Cole and Barrett at ringside who plugged the Rumble schedule.
-The Vision made their entrance. [c]
-An Oba Femi vignette aired.
(5) SAMI ZAYN & CODY RHODES & RANDY ORTON & JEY USO vs. THE VISION (Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed & Logan Paul & Austin Theory w/Paul Heyman)
Orton came out first, then Sami, and Jey. The Vision jumped them. Cody ran to the ring and evened the fight. The four babyfaces cleared the ring and then Sami and Jey dove onto them at ringside. They cut to a break with the faces satnding tall in the ring. [c/db]
The bell rang 44 minutes into the hour during the break. Cole said he doesn’t buy that if it came down to Logan Paul and Bron Breakker that Logan would sacrifice himself for Breakker and give up a chance to headline WrestleMania. The heels isolated and battered Cody for a couple minutes and then they cut to a break at 7:00. [c]
Reed scored a two count on Cody after the break. Cody avoided a Stinger Splash in the corner. Breakker tagged in, but Cody suplexed him. Theory quickly tagged in, but Cody avoided an elbowdrop. He tagged out to reed who missed with a senton splash. Cody then crawled over to tag in Orton. Reed also tagged in Theory. Orton beat up Theory including a snap powerslam. He followed up with a Draping DDT. He played to the crowd and then. signaled for an RKO. Logan hit Orton from behind. Sami threw Logan over the top rope. More chaos with the others followed. Cody ducked a charging Reed. Theory tossed Cody over the top. Orton then gave Theory an RKO for a near fall, with Logan breaking up the cover. Breakker entered and gave Jey a gut-buster. Cody then gave Breakker a Cross Rhodes.
Reed charged in and went after Cody. Sami avoided a corner splash by Reed, then landed a Tornado DDT. He went for a Helluva Kick. Drew yanked Sami out of the ring by his boot. The ref called for the bell.
WINNERS: No contest in 14:00.
-Drew wound up with the WWE Title belt in hand, but stopped when Jacob Fatu’s music played. Fatu attacked him from behind as he was looking at the stage. Fatu then dove through the ropes onto Drew after kicking him to the floor. Cody dove through the ropes and tackled him and then threw him into the ringside steps. Drew shoved Cody into the ringpost. Drew then waited for Cody to stand and set up a Claymore, but Sami intervened with a Helluva Kick. Sami stared down at the WWE Title belt on the mat as Cole asked if tomorrow he would finally win that title. Cody and Sami both lifted the title. Breakker then speared them as the show ended.
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Eric Corbridge review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpostshow@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
LINK TO BE A CALLER: https://streamyard.com/47ed3mj2hn
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).
OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
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