WWE fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming Royal Rumble, as the landscape for the Undisputed WWE Championship has started to take shape. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis has officially announced that the championship will be on the line during the Premium Live Event set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 31. To identify the challenger, WWE has arranged a qualifying tournament that will commence next week with a special broadcast from London, England.
The champion will defend their title against a number one contender who will emerge from four qualifying matches scheduled for the January 16 episode of WWE SmackDown. The winners of these matches will compete in a fatal four-way showdown at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24. The ultimate victor of this four-way match will then have the opportunity to challenge the champion at the Royal Rumble.
The bracket for the qualifying matches features a diverse lineup of both seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. Among the eight competitors are notable names such as Randy Orton, The Miz, Matt Cardona, and Trick Williams. Cardona’s recent return to WWE has generated buzz, especially after his impressive debut victory over Kit Wilson. The tournament will also include Damian Priest, Solo Sikoa, Sami Zayn, and Ilja Dragunov.
The matchups include Randy Orton squaring off against The Miz, Matt Cardona taking on Trick Williams, Damian Priest facing Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn battling Ilja Dragunov. The winners of these singles matches will advance to compete in a Fatal 4-Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event, with the winner earning a shot at the Undisputed Championship in Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, fans can expect the January 16 SmackDown episode in London to address the fallout from Cody Rhodes’ recent title defense against Drew McIntyre in Berlin, further heightening anticipation for the thrilling events to come. The buildup to the Royal Rumble showcases not only the star power within WWE but also the excitement that fans can look forward to in the months ahead.