WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, News And Notes On January 29, 2021

WWE Friday Night SmackDown aired its go-home show for the 2021 Royal Rumble. The broadcast advertised a war of words between Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns—billed as the Final Showdown—in addition to Bianca Belair seeking payback after being attacked by Bayley following their obstacle course challenge. SmackDown also saw the return of Braun Strowman.

Last week’s broadcast of SmackDown garnered 2.383 million viewers as viewership continues to rise headed into the 2021 Royal Rumble.

• January 22, 2021—2.383 million
• January 15, 2021—2.262 million
• January 8, 2021—2.120 million
• January 1, 2021—2.013 million
• December 25, 2020—3.303 million

WWE Friday Night SmackDown—Key Competition

• Mainstream Cable News Coverage

Pro Wrestling Bits—WWE Sells Network to Peacock as it Keeps Getting Rich from its Past

WWE SmackDown Total YouTube Viewership this past Friday 11,268,106 views (Up from 6,404,739)

• Most-Viewed: Sasha Banks vs. Reginald (1,738,665 views) 
• Least-Viewed: Sami Zayn Handcuffs himself to the Barricade (162,189 views)
• Median Viewership: 637,858

WWE SmackDown Results—Friday, January 29, 2020

Opening Segment Featuring Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles

AJ Styles shamelessly stole my joke from last week about Daniel Bryan dressing like a GM.

Daniel Bryan is my pick to win the 2021 Royal Rumble, but given how wide open this field is, I don’t feel good bout it at all.

Bianca Belair def. Bayley

Bianca Belair performed a bridge that almost went south but she used pure core strength to complete the transition and it was one of the most impressive things she’s done in a young career that is already filled with highlights.

Another highlight in a very good match came when Bayley overheard Michael Cole calling her jealous, to which Bayley responded with “I’m not jealous, Michael Cole!”

Bianca Belair has enough potential to be WWE’s next John Cena. I hope they see that.

Baron Corin def. Dominik Mysterio

Dominik Mysterio had an uncharacteristically rough match with multiple botched spots, but it plays into the story they’re telling of Dominik regressing while trying to do things his way.

At this point it’s pretty much a guarantee that Dominik Mysterio will be responsible for Rey Mysterio’s elimination or vice versa.

Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns come Face-to-Face

Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns did a good job with a last-minute pitch to really sell their match this Sunday, and if it were on any show other than the Royal Rumble—where the Royal Rumble match is the attraction—I might be excited to see them run it back yet again.

Roman Reigns turning the television off with a remote is certain to become the next great meme in pro wrestling.

AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan; Daniel Bryan Shinsuke Nakamura and Big E vs. AJ Styles, Cesaro and Sami Zayn

The fact that WWE continues to parade Cesaro around as a potential Royal Rumble favorite tells you just how discombobulated this year’s Royal Rumble picture is.

Sami Zayn insisting that he’s peacefully protesting would be so much more hilarious if he were wearing a pair of horns.

Earlier in the evening, Shinsuke Nakamura officially ended his relationship with Sami Zayn. He may as well have said “Sami, I’m a babyface now, we can’t hang out anymore.”

If Miz and Morrison can casually stroll through Friday Night SmackDown, there’s no reason The New Day can’t do the same.

Each of these matches ended in disqualification after Otis, The Miz and Morrison hit the ring because nothing builds up a Royal Rumble like a run-in disqualification.

Daniel Bryan, Big E, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sheamus and Otis def. AJ Styles, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, The Miz and Morrison

This never-ending segment went on to become the main event as a one-on-one match ballooned into a ten-man tag.

It’s good to see WWE continue to play up the rivalry between The Miz and Daniel Bryan. Hell, even calling back to Miz-Otis feud was impressive for them.

WWE couldn’t have saved Braun Strowman as a surprise entrant. If this Royal Rumble doesn’t have any worthwhile surprises I’ll be baffled.