WWE SmackDown Results & Highlights 30-jan-2026: Bron Breakker stands tall, US title open challenge, AJ Styles appears before Royal Rumble match and more

WWE broadcast its January 30 episode of Friday Night SmackDown from the KAPD Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was the go-home edition of the show for the upcoming Royal Rumble PLE, set to take place tomorrow at the same venue. It featured an explosive title bout, possibly AJ Styles final appearance on SmackDown who was mocked by Gunther and a chaotic eight-man tag team showdown.The show opened with Cody Rhodes coming down to the ring to hype his participation in the 2026 Men's Royal Rumble match. He was joined in the ring by fellow competitors, Randy Orton and Jey Uso, and then Sami Zayn, who declared that he would beat Drew McIntyre to win the Undisputed WWE title. Paul Heyman and The Vision came out next to berate them, which led to GM Nick Aldis making an eight-man tag team match for the night.The reigning US Champion, Carmelo Hayes' call for a challenge was answered by Rey Fenix this week for the open challenge. The two captivating stars delivered an excellent bout in Saudi Arabia. As the dust settled, it was Hayes who used a combination of First 48 and Nothin by Net to put down Fenix and retain his title.The match was made following an in-ring segment between both sides. The two teams showed excellent commaradery and produced an exciting match on SmackDown. Raquel Rodriguez tried to run interference but was stopped by Stephanie Vaquer. This Alexa Bliss to hit the Sister Abigal DDT on Roxanne Perez to pick up the win for her team.This was a singles match as the feud between the two had been brewing for weeks over Axiom's mask. The captivating bout saw Johnny Gargano attempting to pull off Axiom's mask, but he was revealed to be wearing another one underneath. This caught him off guard allowing Axiom to hit the Golden Ratio to secure the pinfall.The two squared off in the ring following a confrontation backstage. Ilja Dragunov put a huge fight against a veteran like The Miz and took him the victory following a Torpedo Moscow and H Bomb to secure the pinfall.The Vision battled the team of Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Jey Uso and Sami Zayn. It was a fast-paced and chaotic in-ring encounter, a sign of what fans can expect at tomorrow's Royal Rumble event. The match ended in a DQ victory for the other side, as Drew McIntyre pulled Sami Zayn out of the ring and attacked him. Jacob Fatu then arrived and fought with McIntyre and Rhodes. Finally, Zayn took out McIntyre with a Helluva Kick. He then held the WWE title in his hands, but Cody picked it up too. However, the show came to an end with Bron Breakker spearing both of them to stand tall. Also read: CM Punk unveiled as the official cover star for WWE 2K26