Chaos Reigns in Riyadh: SmackDown Ends in All-Out Brawl Ahead of Royal Rumble

New Delhi, january 31, 2026: The road to the Royal Rumble reached a fever pitch this past Friday night as WWE SmackDown delivered an explosive go-home show from the KAFD Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With tensions already at a breaking point, the night concluded in absolute mayhem during a star-studded eight-man tag team main event that left the WWE Universe breathless.

A Main Event Melt-Down

The night’s centerpiece featured the formidable alliance of Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn taking on the collective force of The Vision (Bron Breakker, Austin Theory, Logan Paul, and Bronson Reed). The match was a high-octane preview of the stakes involved in the upcoming Rumble match, with each superstar looking to claim momentum.

However, the “order” of the match was short-lived. As Sami Zayn—the hometown hero of sorts in Riyadh—looked to secure a win, the Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre stormed the ring. “The Scottish Warrior” brutally attacked Zayn, forcing a disqualification and triggering a chain reaction of violence.

Bloodline and Rivalries Collide

The chaos didn’t stop with McIntyre. Jacob Fatu soon sprinted to the ring, blindsiding McIntyre and reigniting their personal feud. Within seconds, the ring was a whirlwind of finishers and fury. Cody Rhodes took to the skies to wipe out Fatu, only to be leveled by a devastating Claymore Kick from McIntyre.

In a moment of pure poetic justice for the Riyadh crowd, Sami Zayn managed to recover and blast McIntyre with a thunderous Helluva Kick. For a brief second, Zayn stood tall, hoisting the Undisputed WWE Championship over his head alongside Cody Rhodes—a visual that many hope to see repeated at the Royal Rumble.

Bron Breakker’s Final Word

Just as the “good guys” seemed to have cleared the ring, Bron Breakker proved why he is the most dangerous man in the 2026 Royal Rumble. With the speed of a freight train, Breakker delivered a massive double spear to both Zayn and Rhodes, leaving the two fan favorites crumpled in the center of the ring. The show went off the air with Breakker standing over the fallen stars, a chilling reminder of the destruction awaiting 29 other men tomorrow night.

Quick Results from SmackDown (Jan. 30, 2026):

• United States Championship: Carmelo Hayes (c) def. Rey Fenix to retain his title.
• Grudge Match: Axiom def. Johnny Gargano to finally reclaim his stolen mask.
• Women’s Tag Action: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss def. The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez).
• Singles Bout: Ilja Dragunov def. The Miz in a brutal encounter.
• Main Event: Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Jey Uso & Sami Zayn def. The Vision via DQ.

The stage is now officially set. With the 2026 Royal Rumble only hours away, the power balance in WWE has never felt more volatile.