The January 30 episode of Friday Night SmackDown is expected to be an exciting show because it is the final episode before the Royal Rumble. That’s why WWE has booked a solid lineup to ensure fans have a great time throughout the night.
Fresh off winning the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble, Liv Morgan is scheduled to appear on SmackDown after already making an impact on Raw. She’s said she’s still “exploring her options,” and her appearance on the blue brand is expected to be part of that process before she officially declares her WrestleMania 42 target. So it remains to be seen who Liv Morgan will choose in the end.
Shinsuke Nakamura will duke it out with Tama Tonga in singles competition for the first time on WWE television. Shinsuke Nakamura and Tama Tonga have a lot of history with each other in NJPW and after Tonga suggested Nakamura have a “Shinsuke Sayōnara” tour, WWE booked the match. So we’ll have ot see who will come out on top in the end.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown promises to deliver high drama and storylines that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. With appearances from Liv Morgan and more, it’s bound to be a show you won’t want to miss. Be sure to tune in live and follow along with Ringside News for full play-by-play coverage over in our SmackDown results section.
WWE SmackDown will air from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, starting at 8 PM ET on the USA Network and also on-demand viewing. Internationally, fans can also catch the show on streaming platforms like Netflix.
Who do you think Liv Morgan choose as her Wrestle Mania 42 opponent? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.