Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for January 30, 2026

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cody states that Jacob Fatu found that he was not the guy he thought he was before Drew McIntyre spoiled the fun, and states that Drew McIntyre may have won the title, but not the most important thing that comes with it. He says that Drew McIntyre likes to disguise his wit, but at the same time, he has dropped the ball. After entertaining the idea of winning the Royal Rumble a third time, Cody mentions Drew McIntyre's upcoming title defense against Sami Zayn. He also entertains the idea of facing CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship, stating that they have to do it eventually, then says he needs all the belief in the world for the Royal Rumble due to the experience that he has in it. Suddenly, Randy Orton shows up and heads to the ring. Orton tells Cody that he respects everything that he has done for the industry and understands how much it hurt when he lost the WWE Championship, and knows that a desperate Cody Rhodes is dangerous. He then says there is nothing more dangerous than a viper chasing "number fifteen," and tomorrow night, they will not be friends of brothers, and when he gets the chance, he will toss Cody over the top rope without hesitation. Orton tells Cody that he is not the only one to win the Royal Rumble twice before "Main Event" Jey Uso runs down the ramp to the ring. After Jey Uso states that he is winning his second consecutive Royal Rumble match and becoming World Heavyweight Champion again, Samy Zayn heads to the ring. Sami addresses the crowd in Arabic, then knows that he is in the ring with three of the absolute best right now. He says that tomorrow night is the culmination of three stories - winning the WWE Championship, finally beating Drew McIntyre, and never losing in Saudi Arabia - bubbling up for years. He tells Orton, Cody and Jey that if any of them win the Royal Rumble, it will be him, not McIntyre, waiting on the other side. Suddenly, The Vision ("The Oracle" Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, "Big" Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory) show up, and Paul Heyman proclaims that Sami will not be champion and that Orton, Cody and Jey will not win the Rumble. Heyman then proclaims that tomorrow night will be Bron Breakker's night, then Orton tells Heyman to shut up and dares The Vision to pull their heads out of Heyman's ass, get in the ring, and get a Saudi Arabian ass kicking. General Manager Nick Aldis shows up and makes this eight-man tag match official for tonight.

Carmelo Hayes' open challenge opponent is revealed to be Rey Fenix.

Carmelo Hayes retains the WWE United States Championship against Rey Fenix.

Backstage, Ilja Dragunov is met by The Miz, who lies and says that Carmelo Hayes came to him to protect the United States Championship. Dragunov says he does not know if Miz is working with Carmelo or not, but tonight, he will entertain.

We see footage from The Pat McAfee Show where Brock Lesnar declares for the men's Royal Rumble match.

Backstage, R-Truth makes ball jokes as he spins the Royal Rumble tumbler. Damian Priest shows up, and General Manager Nick Aldis says that Priest is in the Royal Rumble. Priest gets his number, and upon seeing it, says it just gives him more time to throw fools out.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Drew McIntyre, who says that Sami Zayn will always stick his stupid foot in his stupid mouth and get himself in an eight-man tag match. He says he will be watching, and tells Sami that he will do whatever it takes to keep his title before asking if Sami will do whatever it takes to keep it from him.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. Rhea says that they understand it is every woman for themselves in the Royal Rumble, but they will still be friends afterwards. As Iyo says they can handle the Rumble, Kiana James and Giulia show up. Kiana says their friendship will be their undoing, and that Giulia will soon become a triple champion. Lash Legend and Nia Jax say that everyone is getting ahead of themselves, as they are both entering the rumble, and that they have the winners for the women's tag titles. Everyone soon argues with each other.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss head to the ring. Charlotte says that she is winning the Royal Rumble and main eventing WrestleMania, and that there is no one else she would like to have her back. Alexa says she had the same plan, and Charlotte takes this as support before saying she is doing the same thing. Charlotte says she has won the Rumble twice, but Alexa Bliss says she has making history in Saudi Arabia on her side. Charlotte says it is every woman for herself, but Alexa admits that both of them will not need each others' help and that not everything is about Charlotte.Charlotte and Alexa asks each other if they will toss each other over the top rope, then Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez show up. Liv Morgan says that while Charlotte and Alexa are busy backstabbing each other, one of the three of them will win the Royal Rumble, but Alexa tells Liv that relying on friends is not really a plan before Charlotte tells the three of them to get in the ring. Liv teases getting in the ring with them, then says they have better things to do before General Manager Nick Aldis shows up and makes a tag team match between the three of them against Charlotte and Alexa that begins right now.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss beat The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez) after Stephanie Vaquer shows up and takes out Raquel Rodriguez to stop her from distracting Charlotte from the ring apron.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Jordynne Grace, who says that the Royal Rumble can change one's life and that she is betting on herself to win and face Jade Cargill. She is suddenly attacked by Jade Cargill, and both women brawl as referees try to break things up.

Backstage, Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae are met by General Manager Nick Aldis, who declares that Candice is banned from ringside and that if Axiom wins, he will get his blue mask back.

Axiom beats Johnny Gargano. During the match, Gargano rips Axiom's mask off, but Axiom puts his blue mask on and hits the Golden Ratio to win the match and his mask.

Backstage, Carmelo Hayes meets with Ilja Dragunov and says that he has nothing to do with The Miz. Dragunov says he will go out and fight Miz, and give Miz the same chance that he gave Carmelo.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Trick Williams. Trick shows off his shoes, then says that the fans love him all over the world as he puts on a show, and that Royal Rumble will be no different. He declares that he will be the last man standing in the ring with his sights set on championship gold.

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles heads to the ring. Styles tells the fans not to worry about tomorrow, because he is not worried. Styles tells the fans he will knock Gunther's teeth down his throat, and when he beats him, he will start his retirement tour and get his "one more times" against Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. As he states that he also wants to face CM Punk one more time, Gunther interrupts, and while he appreciates Styles fantasizing about his future, he says that none of that will happen, as Styles made such a severe mistake that it will cost him his career. Gunther proclaims that tomorrow, he will end Styles' career and do it the same way he did John Cena: making him tap out. Styles says it takes one to know one, and reminds Gunther that he tapped out to the Calf Crusher like a little bitch. Gunther takes off his jacket and angrily gets on the ring apron, then steps down and leaves.

Backstage, Shinsuke Nakamura is met by Tama Tonga. Tama says Nakamura used to be the man and that the Nakamura he knew would have beaten "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, then tells him to follow Styles on his way out. Nakamura says Tama has confidence, but he is still a young punk. He then says he will see him in the ring next week.

Ilja Dragunov beats The Miz after hitting him out of the air with Torpedo Moscow before hitting the H-Bomb for the win.

We hear from The MFTs (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo). Solo said he did what he said he would do, and now he has Bray Wyatt's lantern and the WWE Tag Team Championships. He says that he took everything Uncle Howdy loved away. He then declares that the tag team titles are not for him, but his family, and tomorrow, he will take back the WWE Champinoship. The Wyatt Sicks (Bo Dallas, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross) interrupt the promo, with Bo Dallas saying that Solo Sikoa has not won and is underestimating the weight of sacrifice. He says that the lantern and the tag team titles will come back to them, and when they do, the millions of fireflies around the world will illuminate Solo's insecurities. He says that they will not just take back what is theirs, but ensure that Solo's greed is his demise.

The Vision (Bron Breakker, "Big" Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory) vs. "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn and "Main Event" Jey Uso in an eight-man tag match ends with Drew McIntyre pulling Sami Zayn out of the ring as he goes for a Helluva Kick and attacking him on the outside in full view of the referee. After the match, McIntyre is about to attack Sami Zayn with the WWE Championship when Jacob Fatu's entrance theme hits. Jacob attacks McIntyre from behind, then Cody hits Jacob with a tope suicida and throws him into the ring post. McIntyre then attacks Cody, then gets him back in the ring for a Claymore before Sami intercepts him with a Helluva Kick. Sami then bends down to pick up the WWE Championship, but so does Cody Rhodes. Both of them are then Speared by Bron Breakker to end the show.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!