This week’s episode of WWE SmackDown saw a 28-year-old capitalize on a brief window and steal a number one contender’s spot.

We got an unexpected title change this evening on WWE SmackDown. On tonight’s episode of SmackDown, the Wyatt Sicks defended the WWE Tag Team Titles against Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga of The MFTs. But for fans who believed Uncle Howdy would get back his lantern tonight ended up with a rude awakening.

The 2026 Royal Rumble go-home show is in the books — here are three things we hated and three things we loved about the 1/30/26 episode of "WWE SmackDown!"

WWE SmackDown's go-home episode before the Royal Rumble is live from the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

WWE SmackDown airs live from Berlin on Jan. 9 with a Three Stages of Hell main event and potential surprises. Here's the full card.

WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown! travels all the way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for Royal Rumble preshow on Friday, January 30 at 8 p.m. ET. Here’s how to watch the show live, for free, as Sami Zayn comes face-to-face with Drew McIntyre in the ramp up to Saturday’s card.