‘WWE Smackdown’ Review (Jan 30th 2026)
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: United States Championship – Carmelo Hayes def. Rey Fenix
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Rey Fenix answered the United States Title Open Challenge from Carmelo Hayes as they fought for the first time ever.Fenix made a fast start as Hayes found very few answers to combat his opponent. Fenix hit the fire stomp before hitting a springboard moonsault, but Hayes stunned Fenix with the First 48 and Nothing But Net to win the match and retain his title.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss def. Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After The Judgment Day confronted Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez clashed with Bliss and Flair. Perez and Morgan grounded Bliss until she tagged in The Queen, who came in fired up to take down The Judgment Day. As Rodriguez tried to interfere, Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer attacked Rodriguez. This allowed Bliss to nail Sister Abigail on Perez to win the match.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Axiom def. Johnny Gargano
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Axiom took on Johnny Gargano, seeking to take back the mask that Gargano had stolen. Before the match, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis barred Candice LeRae from ringside. Axiom nailed a standing Spanish fly, but Gargano used the mask to distract Axiom. Gargano grabbed Axiom’s mask off his face, but Axiom put his old mask back on and stunned Gargano to hit the Golden Ratio, winning the match and getting back his mask.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Ilja Dragunov def. The Miz
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After The Miz cost Ilja Dragunov the chance to become United States Champion last week, the Superstars went one-on-one for the first time. The Awesome One wore down The Mad Dragon, but Dragunov landed the Torpedo Moscow followed by the H-Bomb to vanquish The Miz.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: The Vision (Bronson Reed, Bron Breakker, Logan Paul & Austin Theory) vs. Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and Cody Rhodes (DQ)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul and Austin Theory ventured to SmackDown to take on Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn and World Tag Team Champion Jey Uso one night before the Royal Rumble. The Vision attacked before Rhodes made his entrance, looking to take advantage of the numbers game. The Vision isolated Rhodes until he tagged in Orton, who came in like a house on fire and nailed a draping DDT on Theory. Orton delivered an RKO out of nowhere to Theory, which sent the match into turmoil as the eight Superstars battered each other with their finishers. Just as the match was nearing its conclusion, Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre attacked to end the match in a no-contest.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
This week’s episode felt very much like a holding pattern show – not bad, not essential, but clearly designed to funnel everything toward the looming Royal Rumble rather than stand on its own. Carmelo Hayes vs. Rey Fenix was easily the highlight, delivering a brisk, athletic opener that teased something special without quite getting there. Ilja Dragunov dismantling The Miz was solid and effective, even if it followed a familiar formula. Elsewhere, things dipped. The women’s tag match felt more like storyline maintenance than a match worth investing in, while Axiom vs. Gargano leaned heavily on gimmicks rather than genuine drama. The chaotic main event had energy and star power, but the predictable no-contest finish robbed it of any real payoff. Overall, the show wasn’t a chore to watch, but it rarely rose above “fine.”
