Sat Jan 31 13:30:00 UTC 2026: ### “SmackDown” Goes Off the Rails in Royal Rumble Go-Home Show

The Story:
The final “SmackDown” before the Royal Rumble descended into chaos in Riyadh, signaling a potentially turbulent event on Saturday. The show’s main event, an 8-man tag team match featuring The Vision, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Jey Uso against Sami Zayn, ended in a disqualification after Drew McIntyre interfered, dragging Zayn out of the ring. The situation escalated quickly with Jacob Fatu attacking McIntyre and Bron Breakker closing the show by spearing both Rhodes and Zayn.

Earlier in the evening, Carmelo Hayes defended his United States Championship against Rey Fenix, AJ Styles and Gunther engaged in a heated verbal exchange, and Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss defeated Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez from The Judgement Day.

Key Points:

  • The Royal Rumble go-home “SmackDown” ended in a chaotic brawl.
  • Drew McIntyre’s interference in the 8-man tag match triggered the escalation.
  • Jacob Fatu and Bron Breakker added to the chaos with attacks on McIntyre, Rhodes, and Zayn.
  • Carmelo Hayes defended his United States Championship.
  • AJ Styles and Gunther had a verbal confrontation.
  • Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss defeated Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez.

Critical Analysis:
The chaos on “SmackDown” follows a familiar pattern of heightening tensions and uncertainty before major WWE events like the Royal Rumble. The interference and attacks by multiple wrestlers, especially the focus on top stars like Rhodes, McIntyre, and Zayn, suggests a deliberate strategy to blur the lines between alliances and rivalries heading into the match.

Key Takeaways:

  • The unpredictable nature of “SmackDown” suggests the Royal Rumble match itself will be equally chaotic.
  • Drew McIntyre’s actions indicate a potential change in alignment or a renewed focus on a specific rivalry with Sami Zayn.
  • The involvement of Jacob Fatu and Bron Breakker raises questions about their roles and potential impacts on the Royal Rumble.
  • The verbal exchange between AJ Styles and Gunther foreshadows a likely feud or match between the two.
  • The outcomes of matches earlier in the show contribute to ongoing storylines and potential future conflicts.

Impact Analysis:

The volatile conclusion to “SmackDown” serves to amplify the anticipation and excitement surrounding the Royal Rumble. The interweaving of multiple storylines and the lack of clear alliances creates a sense of uncertainty, making it difficult to predict the outcome of the event. This unpredictability is a key factor in driving viewership and engagement for WWE’s major pay-per-views. The actions of Fatu and Breakker signal their likely involvement in key storylines moving forward, potentially solidifying their positions as major players on the SmackDown roster.

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