On January 30th, WWE made a grand entrance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, kicking off Royal Rumble weekend with the inaugural event at the new Royal Rumble Stadium. Friday Night SmackDown showcased several high-profile bouts, including an All-Star Tag Team Main Event, Ilya Dragunov facing The Miz, Judgment Day battling Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and Axiom versus Johnny Gargano. Each match provided crucial set-ups for the upcoming Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
Sportstar analyzed the entire SmackDown lineup from that night to highlight the best and worst matches, along with overall performance ratings.
5. Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs. Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez
Rating: 6.25/10
Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez incorporated some sneaky heel strategies early on to dominate the match, especially with interference from Raquel Rodriguez at ringside. Bliss struggled but eventually tagged in Flair, sparking a lively comeback. Flair electrified the crowd with powerful chops, a crossbody from the top rope, and strong power moves, although a risky moonsault slightly marred the action. The match also featured a confrontation between Stefani Vaquel and Rodriguez. Bliss ultimately allowed Perez to land her signature Sister Abigail for the victory.
4. Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso & Sami Zayn vs. Vision (Eight-Man Tag)
Rating: 6.75/10
The main event opened with a bang as Vision launched an ambush on the babyfaces, setting an intense tone. The heels worked cohesively to keep Cody Rhodes grounded until Orton sparked a heated tag. The match previewed the Men’s Royal Rumble with everyone “eliminating” each other in a frenzy. However, the bout ended abruptly after Drew McIntyre assaulted Sami Zayn, causing a disappointing disqualification ahead of the WWE Championship match. Though reminiscent of old-school All-Star tag encounters with good fan energy, the predictable storyline and ending left something to be desired.
3. Carmelo Hayes vs. Rey Fenix (United States Championship)
Rating: 7/10
This installment of the United States Championship Open Challenge delivered a fast-paced thriller with Fenix opening the show. Both wrestlers displayed a blend of offensive and defensive prowess with smooth execution and impactful strikes, although some high-flying spots didn’t fully mesh with the match flow. The psychology was light, but the crowd was captivated by their dynamic counters and stylish maneuvers. Hayes successfully defended his title by stopping Fenix’s Finisher and finishing with a crushing “Nothing But Net” move.
2. Axiom vs. Johnny Gargano
Rating: 7.25/10
Following Nathan Frazer’s prior victory over Gargano, Axiom stepped up without ringside interference from Candice LeRae, putting his stolen mask storyline on the line. The contest featured technical wrestling and mat work, though a few missteps like an uneasy Spanish fly and a risky dropkick added moments of tension. Overall, their chemistry was strong, complemented by an engaged crowd. In a clever finish, Gargano removed Axiom’s current mask, forcing him to don his old mask to win by the golden ratio—an inventive conclusion to the bout.
1. Ilya Dragunov vs. The Miz
Rating: 7.75/10
Contrasting wrestling styles set the stage for a compelling match, with The Miz delivering one of his best performances in recent memory. He matched Dragunov’s fierce and physical offense by intensifying his own aggression, resulting in a hard-fought, balanced battle. Miz convincingly sold Dragunov’s threat and kept momentum shifting back and forth. Late in the contest, Miz attempted to exploit the eye with a claw, but Dragunov capitalized, securing victory after a headbutt and finishing with a decisive “Hydrogen Bomb,” despite the partial impairment of his vision. Dragunov emerged victorious, but The Miz’s performance demonstrated impressive versatility within WWE.
Fan Take:
This SmackDown event in Riyadh was pivotal, showcasing WWE’s global expansion and the raw talent poised to shape the Royal Rumble narrative. The varied match styles and storytelling not only entertained but hinted at intriguing character developments, signaling an exciting buildup for WWE fans worldwide.
