WWE SmackDown Results: Review, Grades, Card For January 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Our WWE SmackDown results for tonight include Carmelo Hayes continuing the United States Championship Open Challenge, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre facing off with Sami Zayn, appearances from Cody Rhodes and much more.
This afternoon’s episode of WWE SmackDown takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The show is airing live internationally on Netflix, and it will air on a delay in the United States on USA Network at 8 pm EST.
WWE SmackDown Card
The announced match card for WWE SmackDown includes:
- Carmelo Hayes’ United States Title Open Challenge
- Sami Zayn goes face-to-face with Drew McIntyre before the Royal Rumble
- Cody Rhodes appears
- Ilja Dragunov looks for retribution on The Miz
- Axiom vs. Johnny Gargano
WWE SmackDown Results
This week’s show opened with a promo by Cody Rhodes, who praised the Saudi Arabian fans. Cody plugged the Royal Rumble before teasing that his win could mean he challenges Drew McIntyre, CM Punk or Sami Zayn as champion. It’s also worth noting that Rhodes said he would be a three-time Royal Rumble winner, which got some boos.
Randy Orton interrupted Cody and said there’s nothing more dangerous than a Viper chasing “15,” then Jey Uso, Sami Zayn and The Vision all came out and made their case for winning the Royal Rumble match. Orton reacted to The Vision’s run-in by challenging them to an 8-man tag match, which General Manager Nick Aldis made official for later in the show.
Carmelo Hayes’ US Open Challenge
Hayes open challenge is answered by Rey Fenix
Winner – Carmelo Hayes
Grade: B+
Hayes wins after hitting the First 48 and Nothing But Net for the pinfall win. This was a solid opener with both opponents getting in a considerable amount of offense. Melo’s open challenge continues to be a highlight, and giving him great opponents only enhances it.
Ilja Dragunov asks for a good reason why he shouldn’t attack Miz, who says they have no beef with each other. Ilja panders to Miz and shakes his hand, then pulls him in and says they could have been cordial, but Miz got in his business. He’s not sure if Miz and Melo are in cahoots, but his pain will entertain tonight.
R-Truth and Nick Aldis are backstage with a ball tumbler, and Truth asks how Aldis likes his balls. Aldis says Truth knows how to handle his balls, and Truth says it’s not his first time. Aldis says he doesn’t doubt it. Damian Priest is officially in the Royal Rumble, and he selects his entry number backstage. He doesn’t look happy about the pick, and Truth says he can pick again. Aldis corrects him, but Priest says it’s OK because this gives him more time to throw people over the top rope.
Cathy Kelley speaks with WWE Champion Drew McIntyre backstage, and he calls out some of the Royal Rumble hopefuls seen earlier in the show. Drew says Sami Zayn will always stick his foot in his month, then issues a stern threat. Drew is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his title, but is Sami willing to go that far to take it from him?
Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY are asked if they thought about what might happen in the Royal Rumble. They say they’ll still be friends afterward, but IYO’s remarks are cut off by Kiana James and Giulia. IYO and Giulia bicker in Japanese before James says RHIYO’s titles are in jeopardy. Nia Jax and Lash Legend walk in and make their claim for the tag titles, then they all argue before agents break it up.
Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez
Charlotte and Alexa Bliss argue over who will win the Royal Rumble between the two of them. Alexa says, “not everything is about Charlotte,” and Charlotte asks if she would really throw their friendship out like that. The promo is interrupted by Liv and Roxanne, who are accompanied by Raquel.
Liv mocks the “besties” for fighting with each other, then make their own claim to winning the WWE Royal Rumble. Charlotte challenges them to a match, and Liv agrees and walks to the ring before renegging and trying to leave. Nick Aldis says he won’t let it happen and books the match on the spot.
Raquel Rodriguez was interfering on the apron, but Stephanie Vaquer ran in and pulled her off the apron. This allowed Alexa Bliss to hit Roxanne Perez with Sister Abigail for the pinfall win.
Winners – Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss
Grade: B-
The match itself wasn’t bad, but nothing great. I know it’s the “Allies of Convenience” gimmick, but there’s already way too much talking on this show. We’re an hour in and it’s been mostly promos so far.
Jordynne Grace says she is going to win the Royal Rumble and give Jade Cargill the reality check she needs. Jade runs in and attacks her, and they get into a heated brawl before agents pull them apart.
Axiom vs. Johnny Gargano
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae are walking to the ring when Nick Aldis tells Candice she’s banned from ringside. Aldis also says that if Axiom wins, he gets his mask back.
Axiom gets the pinfall win, and his mask back, after hitting Gargano with the Golden Ratio
Winner – Axiom
Grade: B-
Again, another fine match, nothing great. The feud was silly to begin with, so I’m kinda glad it’s over now.
Trick Williams makes the cameraman get a look at his Lemon Peppa Steppas, the cuts a promo about how captivating he is. He encourages everyone to join the Whoop That movement, because he’s on his way to WrestleMania.
AJ Styles comes to the ring and says fans shouldn’t worry about him losing tomorrow. He’s going to start his Phenomenal Farewell Tour, and he’ll face off with names like Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton and CM Punk. Gunther cuts him off and says Styles made a grave mistake. Gunther says he’s going to end AJ’s career, and he’s going to do it by making Styles tap out, the same thing he did to his “buddy,” John Cena.
Styles says the last he checked, Gunther was the one that tapped out like a little bitch. That remark pisses Gunther off, and the newly-crowned “Career Killer” jumps on the apron. Gunther ends up backing down and leaving through the crowd.
AJ Styles says Gunther tapped out like a little B*TCH and that ENRAGES Gunther!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ZKPdaCNXuG
— The Movement – Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) January 30, 2026
Tama Tonga calls out Shinsuke Nakamura for losing to AJ Styles and says maybe he should retire along with Styles. Tama calls it the Nakamura Sayonara Tour, then Shinsuke says Tama is still a little punk and makes a challenge for next week.
The Miz vs. Ilja Dragunov
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