This article contains spoilers and the results from WWE Friday Night SmackDown on January 30, 2026. With just one day remaining before the inaugural international WWE Royal Rumble, anticipation is high as many Superstars prepare for a thrilling eight-man tag team match headlining tonight’s show, each vying for a shot at the WrestleMania 42 main event.
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair continued their Best Friends Tour, securing victories over Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez, while Carmelo Hayes successfully defended his United States Title against Rey Fenix. Additional matches saw Axiom defeat Johnny Gargano, Ilya Dragunov overcome The Miz, and the team of Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and Randy Orton win against The Vision due to a disqualification caused by Drew McIntyre’s interference.
Key moments of the evening included Cody Rhodes opening the show by reflecting on his recent loss to Drew McIntyre and asserting his intent to reclaim the top spot in WWE through victory at the Royal Rumble. Randy Orton and Jey Uso also made appearances, each sharing their perspectives on the upcoming event. Sami Zayn connected with fans by greeting them in Arabic and highlighted his undefeated streak in Saudi Arabia before a heated confrontation with Paul Heyman and The Vision led to the announcement of the main event by Nick Aldis.
Backstage, Jordynne Grace expressed her determination to seize the life-changing opportunity of the Royal Rumble before being interrupted by Jade Cargill, resulting in a scuffle. AJ Styles boldly proclaimed his confidence in defeating Gunther at the Royal Rumble, signaling the start of his “Amazing Farewell Tour” to face top stars one last time. Meanwhile, in another backstage segment, Shinsuke Nakamura discussed his recent performance with Tama Tonga, setting the stage for their upcoming match.
Tonight’s SmackDown also showcased the rising stars of Jordynne Grace, Julia, and Tama Tonga, who are shining brightly amid WWE’s current expansion phase. Since joining the main roster, Grace has positioned herself strongly against WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill, Tonga’s growing rivalry with Nakamura echoes his New Japan Pro Wrestling roots, and Julia is gaining momentum with significant screen time alongside notable talents like IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley, signaling her ascendance in the women’s division.
Fan Take: With the Royal Rumble just around the corner, these developments set the stage for a high-stakes path to WrestleMania 42, making this a thrilling time for WWE fans. The rise of fresh faces alongside established veterans hints at an exhilarating evolution in the sport’s landscape.
