WWE SmackDown on January 31st was the last stop before the Royal Rumble 2025. WWE presented the go-home show from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The show featured the final hype for the Royal Rumble matches. Michin challenged Chelsea Green for the Women’s US Title. Naomi faced Liv Morgan while Jimmy Uso went one-on-one with Carmelo Hayes. Hours before the Royal Rumble, let’s delve into the Key Takeaways from WWE SmackDown January 31.
CM Punk is here!
The show opened with Michael Cole who introduced the hometown boy, Pat McAfee. He welcomed fans and praised the Indianapolis city’s crowd. In the ring, Joe Tessitore had the Winged Eagle and the Undisputed WWE Championships lowered down. Kevin Owens came down to the ring. He called Joe a Cody fanboy. Tessitore apologized to Owens which the Prizefighter won’t accept.
Owens unhinged the Winged Eagle Championship and vowed to take the Undisputed Title on Royal Rumble. As KO was leaving, CM Punk’s music hit, and he arrived at a thunderous ovation. Punk proposed a scenario of a match between him and Owens if they both can win at the Royal Rumble. Owens said that Punk is his least favourite superstar in the 30-man Royal Rumble match. KO teased Punk about how he had never main-evented WrestleMania.
Kevin was leaving, and Punk ran down a list of his accomplishments. He brought KO’s title match losses at the Royal Rumble and his loss to Logan Paul. Punk dared Owens to get in the ring. KO left with the Winged Eagle Championship. CM Punk had a great run in the past few weeks and he is a winner contender in WWE Royal Rumble 2025 Predictions.
Jimmy Uso victorious
Jimmy Uso took down Carmelo Hayes in a thrilling battle on SmackDown. After a long time, Uso got a win on the blue brand. Hayes is a promising talent but lacks a major storyline. In the end, Jimmy got the win via rollup. Thankfully, the match had nothing to do with the New Bloodline.
Chelsea Green survives Michin
Michin continued her quest for the Women’s United States Championship in a failed attempt against the champion, Chelsea Green. Piper Niven was there to support her best friend. B-Fab got the best of Niven at ringside. When Chelsea saw the match going away from her hands, she used a kendo stick and the match ended in disqualification. Chelsea’s run in the tournament was amazing, but her reign lacks an interesting storyline.
The Queen returns to Rumble: One of the Key Takeaways from WWE SmackDown January 31
Charlotte Flair’s video vignette aired and her return in the Royal Rumble match was announced. The Queen has a new make-over and it would be interesting to see her new ventures. The women’s division has lacked a mega star like her in the past few months and she will be clearly challenging for a world title at WrestleMania 41. Flair is a major contender to win the 30-woman Royal Rumble match.
Damian Priest meets Jacob Fatu
Damian Priest started his run on the blue brand with a strong promo. The former World Heavyweight Champion vowed to throw 29 other superstars out of the Royal Rumble. Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu interrupted. Fatu made him an offer to lay low, or they’ll make him. Priest wasn’t backing down from a fight. LA Knight joined him, and a tag team match was made official for the night.
Tag Team Bedlam
WWE Tag Team Champions DIY teamed with Pretty Deadly to take on Motor City Machine Guns and Los Garza. The alliance between DIY and Pretty Deadly was affected by an accidental attack by Ciampa on Pretty Deadly. This allowed the Motor City Machine Guns to take home the victory. They will challenge DIY in a 2-out-of-3 falls match at the Royal Rumble for the titles.
Naomi has the momentum before the Royal Rumble
Naomi took on the former Women’s World Champion, Liv Morgan. At ringside, Raquel Rodriguez and Bianca Belair supported their partners. In the end, it was a rollup victory for Naomi. After the match, Liv and Raquel attacked the women’s tag team champions and delivered a statement.
Nia Jax attacked Tiffany Stratton
Pat McAfee interviewed Tiffany Stratton. The WWE Women’s Champion said that she won’t be bothered by the winner of the Royal Rumble match as there’s always Tiffy Time. Candice LeRae interrupted and called her pathetic. This move was just an interruption as Jax attacked Stratton from behind. Nia destroyed the champion with an Annihilator.
LA Knight and Damian Priest vs Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga
The main event of the night was a tag team battle where LA Knight and Damian Priest teamed against Jacobb Fatu and Tama Tonga of the Bloodline. The face team got the upper hand in the match with a devastating South of Heaven from Priest. However, Fatu attacked from behind as the show closed.
Overall, it was a fun show just before the Royal Rumble. Do you agree with Key Takeaways from WWE SmackDown January 31?
