Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for January 28, 2022

Charlotte Flair heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Charlotte says that she will win the women's Royal Rumble match despite how unpredictable it can be, and says that she takes control of the situation instead of waiting for things to happen, which makes her the most dominant champion in WWE. She then says that she will change the game again when she wins the match and picks a challenger for WrestleMania, then "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler shows up. Shayna says Charlotte is an incredible performer, but she will not hesitate to snap her like a twig limb from limb, and after she throws her over the top rope, she will not hesitate to challenge her and hope she is healed up in time. Aliyah shows up and admits she has a lot of butterflies in her stomach from being in her first Royal Rumble and hopefully her first WrestleMania, but Charlotte says she has no chance. She mentions her win against Natalya, then Natalya shows up. Natalya says Aliyah is rude, clueless, delusional and lucky, but not optimistic, and says her win against her was a fluke and that she will hold a fourth Guinness World Record before Shotzi shows up. Shotzi says the situation allows her to sneak right in and seize the spotlight, then Charlotte says nobody belongs in the ring with her and has no chance tomorrow night when Sasha Banks shows up. Sasha says she is back and ready to rumble, then slaps Charlotte in the face. This starts a brawl, but Charlotte stands tall until she notices Sasha in the ring. Sasha tosses her over the top rope to be the last woman standing.

Backstage, Megan Morant interviews Ridge Holland and Sheamus. Ridge says he can still hear the crunch when his nose got injured, and he plans to stomp out Ricochet like the parasite that he is. Sheamus says that Ridge is just like him, then hands him his own face mask after saying that Ridge will smash Cesaro and Ricochet just like him.

Sheamus and Ridge Holland beat Cesaro and Ricochet after Ridge headbutts Cesaro with the mask as he goes for the Cesaro Swing on Sheamus. Before the match, it is announced that Ricochet will participate in the men's Royal Rumble match this year.

We see a video package of the Royal Rumble, by the numbers.

Before the next match, Sonya Deville demands to the referee that he call the match in her favor, but he refuses to listen to her and says he will call this down the middle.

Naomi beats Sonya Deville in a fair match called down the middle. After the match, Naomi says that after 153 days of Sonya Deville throwing everything she could at her, Sonya could not stop the glow and she shined through like she will shine through at the women's Royal Rumble match. Naomi then tells Sonya not to slip on her tears on the way out. Sonya heads to the back and grabs a microphone to tell Naomi that she cannot put her in the Royal Rumble without a little surprise: she is entering the match as well.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso). Jey says that just because they are banned from ringside, it does not mean that Roman Reigns will lose the Universal title. Suddenly, The Viking Raiders (Ivar and Erik) show up. The Usos make fun of them, but they admit that they love a fast and command a very manly odor before stating they love their axes, which they pull out before saying they can trim a beard or cut a championship belt in half with them. The Usos leave.

It's time for In-Zayn. Tonight's guests are Jinder Mahal and Shanky. Sami says the show has been re-tooled thanks to stunts being dangerous and Johnny Knoxville, and that the segment is now a live podcast. Sami says the show has been re-tooled thanks to stunts being dangerous and Johnny Knoxville, and that the segment is now a live podcast. Jinder says that he has beaten Shinsuke Nakamura before and that tonight will be no different, and when Sami apologizes for Shanky not knowing who Knoxville is, Jinder says Jackass is big in India, and Shanky says he likes the bungee port-a-potty. As Sami disagrees and says that all of the boos will be edited out of the live podcast, Rick Boogs then shows up and introduces Nakamura, then both men head to the ring. Sami yells at Nakamura only to get kicked in the head.

Sami Zayn guests on commentary for the next match.

Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs beat Jinder Mahal and Shanky after Sami Zayn yanks Nakamura off the apron and Boogs hits the Boogs Cruise on Shanky.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Sir Kofi Kingston and Big E. Kofi says it feels great to have Big E at his side once again and that it will feel great to be in the Royal Rumble. Big E says Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss will feel the power.

The New Day (Sir Kofi Kingston and Big E) beat Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss.

Roman Reigns heads to the ring. After the commercial break, Seth Rollins heads to the ring. Seth brags that he played Roman like a fiddle last week and thanks him for doing the right thing and getting The Usos disqualified so their match can be one-on-one. Roman says it was a simple decision of letting Rollins embarrass the family by pinning The Usos or punching Rollins in the face, then says that he is in "God Mode" now. Seth then talks about how he cashed the Money In The Bank briefcase on him or beating Roman, sent him packing for thirty days after coming back from injury and turned on him to break up The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns). Roman calls the first two things "water under the bridge," but the third one visibly gets under Roman's skin, and Rollins says that when he put the chair in his back, he did it for his own good and knew it would rocket him to superstardom. Seth then says that Roman has done it all except beat him when it matters most, and tomorrow night, it will not be personal when he beats him for the Universal Championship, because he will always love him. Roman says he tried to forgive Seth for destroying The Shield, then says he will never forgive what Seth did to them and says that he hates him, and Rollins says he will hate him even more when he makes him and his family a joke and makes it all end up in smoke. Roman shoves Seth, and Seth laughs before Roman feigns walking away only to go for a Superman Punch. Seth ducks it, then prances away to end the show.

This week on Talking Smack: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso)! Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs! Sheamus and Ridge Holland!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!