WWE SmackDown delivered an exceptional night of action in the Saudi capital Riyadh, as part of the growing momentum leading up to the highly anticipated and historic Royal Rumble, set to take place tomorrow (Saturday) for the first time ever outside North America, within the events of Riyadh Season.
The show drew a packed crowd and strong fan engagement from the opening moments, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s rising stature as a global host for world-class professional wrestling events.
The night unfolded in an electric atmosphere that set the stage for a series of intense matchups, further escalating anticipation ahead of Royal Rumble. United States Champion Carmelo Hayes successfully retained his title following a hard-fought Open Challenge against Rey Fenix. The bout showcased evenly matched competition and high technical intensity, before Hayes sealed the victory with his experience in the closing moments, reaffirming his dominance atop the United States Championship.
In the women’s division, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss secured a key tag team victory over Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez, accompanied by Raquel Rodriguez. The match featured multiple interferences and escalating in-ring exchanges, marking a significant development in the heated build-up to the Women’s Royal Rumble, and drawing strong reactions from the audience.
The show also featured a standout singles contest between Axiom and Johnny Gargano, characterized by speed, balance, and momentum shifts. Axiom ultimately claimed the win at a decisive moment, delivering a composed performance that earned praise from the live crowd.
In another unexpected outcome, Ilja Dragunov defeated The Miz in a competitive encounter. Despite The Miz’s reliance on experience and ring awareness, Dragunov imposed his aggressive style in the later stages to secure the victory and signal his readiness for upcoming challenges.
The night concluded with a dramatic eight-man tag team match featuring Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn against The Vision. The bout ended without a decisive result following a surprise interference by Roman Reigns, who stormed the ring and triggered chaos, abruptly halting the match and further intensifying tensions ahead of Royal Rumble.
The SmackDown event was part of a broader slate of accompanying activities, including an afternoon Kick Off fan event that welcomed early-arriving spectators and offered an interactive experience for wrestling fans. Saudi wrestler Fahd Tuwaiq took part in the activation, expressing pride in representing the Kingdom and emphasizing that such appearances reflect the growing development and international presence of Saudi wrestling talent.
All events are being staged at the newly constructed WWE arena, completed in a record 35 days—a significant organizational and engineering achievement demonstrating rapid execution and high operational readiness. The arena was built to the highest international standards, with a capacity exceeding 25,000 spectators, and features advanced technical and visual specifications befitting major global productions.
As Royal Rumble approaches tomorrow, global attention now turns to the landmark showdown, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in professional wrestling, carrying unique competitive stakes and career-defining opportunities for its participants.