WWE SmackDown Tonight: Royal Rumble Go-Home Show 1/30/26

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Jackson | Last updated Jan 30, 2026 2:02 AM ET

WWE heads to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the final SmackDown before Royal Rumble 2026 , and this go-home show arrives with less than 24 hours until one of the biggest events of the year. Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn will stand face-to-face before their Undisputed WWE Championship clash on Saturday, while Carmelo Hayes continues his hot U.S. Championship open challenge streak.

The card also features Axiom battling Johnny Gargano, giving the high-flyer another chance to get his mask back. WWE's keeping most of the show under wraps, but with a stacked roster advertised for Riyadh, expect surprises and last-minute Royal Rumble hype.

Sami Zayn has waited years for another night like this in Montreal—but will it end in triumph or another 'Ghost' of a failure? (Photo: Getty Images)Getty Images

How to Watch WWE SmackDown (January 30, 2026)

Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
Network:USA Network
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

What's Confirmed for SmackDown

WWE's announced several key segments and matches for the go-home show:

Face-to-Face: Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn meet one final time before their title match Saturday night
U.S. Championship Open Challenge:Carmelo Hayes defends against all comers
Singles Match: Axiom vs. Johnny Gargano
Tag Team Action: Solo Sikoa's faction makes an appearance, though WWE hasn't revealed any details

Advertised Superstars

Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Solo Sikoa, Ilja Dragunov, Jade Cargill, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Giulia, Nia Jax, and Tiffany Stratton are all scheduled for the broadcast.

WWE's clearly holding back announcements for the show itself. Will McIntyre get one last psychological edge over Zayn? Can Hayes survive another open challenge unscathed? Friday night's your last chance to find out before the Rumble kicks off Saturday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: