On the first stop of a busy eight-day stretch, WWE SmackDown emanated from Montreal, serving as the final build to Saturday Night’s Main Event on Jan. 24. Two nights later, WWE will follow up with Raw, before closing out the month with the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The episode featured a surprise addition to the Saturday Night’s Main Event card, the final build to the No. 1 contenders match that will determine who challenges Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship, and several other notable developments.
So, what stood out from the show? Let’s take a look.
Building To Saturday Night’s Main Event
When there’s a No. 1 Contenders match for a world title less than 24 hours away, it can feel a little awkward trying to add extra build when the story is already clear and not much more is needed. As a result, SmackDown largely served as a hurdle to get to Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn vs. Randy Orton vs. Damian Priest.
That said, they made good use of the time they had. The opening promo leaned into the idea that Williams is scared to fight Priest, while Zayn talked down to the upstart call-up, making it clear he does not see Williams as being on his level. Williams did not play the cool heel or try to outsmart everyone. Instead, he pointed out that Zayn failed to win the world title the last time he competed for it against Roman Reigns at Elimination Chamber 2023, struck Montreal’s own with a microphone, shoved Priest into Zayn to create tension, and then ran away.
It is those small character moments, paired with his presence, that continue to show just how much of a star Williams already feels like for WWE. That is without even mentioning the reaction he gets for his entrance.
As for why Orton was not in the ring, he delivered a fiery backstage promo explaining why he will win on Saturday night. At this point, that is more than enough, as his resume speaks for itself. Still, he made his presence felt later in the night, appearing after Zayn caused a disqualification in Priest vs. Williams to RKO both Williams and Zayn.
For perhaps the direction WWE is going with this match, backstage, Zayn slapped Drew McIntyre in the face. Maybe it means nothing, but it created some extra tension between the two. And given Zayn’s connection to Saudi Arabia, it makes sense to have him as the challenger for the title at Royal Rumble.
Setting The Stage For WrestleMania?
Seeds have slowly been planted for a potential breakup between Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. Their backstage segment ahead of the No. 1 Contenders match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship focused on the Royal Rumble, with Flair reflecting on how great last year’s Rumble win and subsequent title match at WrestleMania were, while seemingly overlooking Bliss’ major return. Bliss, for her part, pointed out that their friendship would not have happened if not for that return.
It feels like this is gradually building toward Bliss turning heel on Flair, possibly in time for WrestleMania. The groundwork is clearly being laid, and while it is not out of the question for either woman to win the Royal Rumble, it increasingly feels like WWE is positioning them for a singles match at the Show of Shows.
AJ Styles Gets Surprise Match At Saturday Night’s Main Event
AJ Styles appearing on SmackDown was notable, given that he has largely been a fixture of Monday nights. The visit was not only about Nick Aldis wanting to discuss Styles putting his career on the line against Gunther at the Royal Rumble, but also to bring out Shinsuke Nakamura, a longtime rival of the Phenomenal One from both New Japan Pro-Wrestling and WWE.
Nakamura challenged Styles to one final match, set for Saturday Night’s Main Event. It is an abrupt addition to the card, but one that leans heavily into nostalgia for fans familiar with their rivalry from a decade ago and the idea of seeing them share the ring one last time.
This match is unlikely to quiet speculation that Styles’ career truly ends after the Royal Rumble. It feels ceremonial, a one-last-hurrah moment designed to give Styles a familiar foe to face again, similar to the role he played for John Cena at Crown Jewel 2025.
So, soak it in, wrestling fans, because this could very well be the final week of AJ Styles’ in-ring career.
