WWE SmackDown (Jan. 23, 2026) Key Points
- Roman Reigns declared for the WWE Royal Rumble as part of a video package. Michael Cole announced his return for Saturday’s Royal Rumble match. Reigns has won one Royal Rumble in 2015. From 2014 to 2020, he appeared in the Final 4 in six out of seven years.
- The MFTs (Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga) defeated the Wyatt Sicks to win the WWE Tag Team Championships.
- Jacob Fatu and Cody Rhodes were involved in a highly personal, heated conversation backstage. Rhodes brought up Fatu’s criminal past, but both were able to keep their hands to themselves headed into their grudge match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
WWE SmackDown Results (Jan. 23, 2026)
- Carmelo Hayes def. Ilja Dragunov | US Title Open Challenge
- Jade Cargill def. Chelsea Green
- MFTs def. The Wyatt Sicks | WWE Tag Team Championship
- Nate Frazer def. Johnny Gargano
- Giulia and Kiana James def. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss; Nia Jax and Lash Legend
- Trick Williams def. Damian Priest by DQ
WWE Storylines For Royal Rumble And Saturday Night’s Main Event
Roman Reigns declared for the WWE Royal Rumble. He remains a favorite to win the event even before his declaration. Gunther is slightly behind him at +200 odds.
Jade Cargill scored a win over Chelsea Green in Chelsea’s home country of Canada. Newcomer Jordynne Grace was ringside and she challenged Jade to a title match on SmackDown. Jade declined, but these two figure to have a singles match at a PLE, or even a SmackDown this WrestleMania season.
Kiana James and Giulia are the new No. 1 contenders for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, and will take on either Rhiyo or Judgment Day. Kiana James stole the upset win in a match where she thoroughly outshined Giulia, who is an internet wrestling prototype with limited charisma to back up her otherwise strong wrestling pedigree.
Sami Zayn returned to his home country, and slapped the hell out of Drew McIntyre in a backstage segment that all but guaranteed he’d be the next No. 1 Contender for Drew’s belt.
In the main event of SmackDown, Trick Williams defeated Damian Priest by DQ after provoking Sami Zayn. The upstart Williams continues to immediately ingratiate himself to the main event picture.
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Updated Match Card
- Rhiyo vs. The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez) | WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
- Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu
- Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams, Damian Priest and Sami Zayn
- AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura