What happened on WWE SmackDown?
- Kevin Owens def. Santos Escobar via pinfall after hitting a stunner. Owens won a tournament to determine U.S. champion Paul’s challenger at the Royal Rumble. Owens punched out Paul post-match.
- Karrion Kross and the returning Authors of Pain joined forces to lay out Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits. AOP and Paul Ellering have not been seen in WWE since 2020. Lashley declared his entry into the Royal Rumble moments before the assault.
- WWE women’s championship — Iyo Sky (c) def. Michin via pinfall after hitting her signature moonsault to retain her title.
- Butch and Tyler Bate def. Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson) via pinfall following a double Tyler Driver. Bate was Butch’s surprise tag team partner.
- Ashante Adonis asked SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis for an opportunity. Aldis said he was a believer in Adonis and had things in mind.
- AJ Styles vs. LA Knight vs. Randy Orton ends in a no-contest due to an interference from the bloodline, resulting in Nick Aldis announcing a Fatal 4 way match at Royal Rumble between Roman Reigns, AJ Styles, Randy Orton & L.A Knight for the title.