WWE SmackDown Results, Highlights, Winners & Reactions for January 29, 2021

Welcome to Ringside News’ coverage of WWE SmackDown! Please keep refreshing throughout the show for constant updates once it kicks off at 8:00 PM EST.

For tonight’s go-home episode of SmackDown, only two segments have been announced, but let’s run down the card and see what SmackDown has in store for us tonight!

First, Bianca Belair will look for some amount of payback against Bayley before their participation in the Women’s Royal Rumble match. After Bayley attacked Belair following their obstacle course challenge last week, the former SmackDown Women’s Champion will need to be looking over her shoulder tonight.

Also on the card, Michael Cole will host a sit-down with Universal Champion Roman Reigns and his challenger at the Royal Rumble, Kevin Owens. WWE is advertising a “war-of-words” between the two competitors, so we will see what these two have in store for us before their Last Man Standing match.

All of this and more will feature on the final edition of SmackDown before the 2021 Royal Rumble! Remember to refresh the page throughout the night and leave your comments down below with your reactions to the show.

Opening Segment

SmackDown opens this week with Daniel Bryan already in the ring. He is in a suit, though, not dressed to wrestle.

He welcomes everyone to the show and “Royal Rumble Weekend.” He goes on to talk about how, while he has accomplished a lot in the WWE, he still has yet to win a Royal Rumble.

He talks about how winning the Rumble allows you to main event at WrestleMania, and he knows how life-changing it can be to main event at WrestleMania. It’s important to him because he says that he doesn’t know how many WrestleMania moments he has left.

He says that, thanks to Chad Gable and Otis, he is ready. As Bryan continues to hype up the Rumble, AJ Styles music hits. Styles comes down to the ring, Omos in tow.

Bryan asks why AJ Styles, a RAW superstar, is on SmackDown. Styles and Omos say that there is a “quarterly brand-to-brand invitational.” Styles goes on to say that he has been the gatekeeper of RAW for people who wanted to join the Royal Rumble match.

Styles says that Bryan isn’t ready because he looks like a GM again in his sports coat and Bryan looks like he has one foot out the door. Bryan challenges Styles to a one-on=one match tonight.

Styles says that he’s been getting ready by beating everyone on RAW, and he wants one more warm up against Bryan. Styles shoves Bryan down, and as Bryan looks to get back up and get in Styles’ face, Omos steps between them.

Bryan says that if Styles was “a real man,” he would face Bryan without Omos. As Styles goes to get out of the ring, Bryan says, “With or without Omos, I’m still going to kick your ass.” Styles and Omos leave the ring.

We get a promotion for the upcoming Face to Face sit-down with Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens. Then, we see a recap of the Obstacle Course Challenge between Bayley and Bianca Belair.

Backstage, Bayley is being interviewed by Kayla Braxton. Before Kayla can ask her about Bianca beating her, Bayley says that she still hurt Bianca by throwing her into the basketball post.

She says that she saw Belair’s special on the WWE Network, and she likes her, but Bianca has run away from everything in her life, and she can’t run away from Bayley. Her match with Belair is up next, after a commercial break.

*Commercial Break*

Bianca Belair vs. Bayley

Belair immediately pins Bayley in a corner, and the ref forces a break. Belair hits a scoop slam on Bayley. Bayley gets back to her feet and takes down Belair by attacking a shoulder. Belair catches Bayley in a suplex, pinning her for one count.

Bayley kicks at Belair, then clubs away at the back of Belair’s head. Bayley tosses Belair to the mat, then hits a sliding clothesline, pinning Belair for two. Bayley goes back to Belair’s injured shoulder, covering her for two.

Bayley grabs Belair’s hair, using it to taunt Bayley. Belair grabs her hair back and whips Bayley with it repeatedly. Belair shoves Baley hard into the turnbuckle. Bayely rolls to the apron and kicks at Belair’s injured arm, creating separation.

Belair takes Bayley back down with a dropkick and a standing moonsault, pinning her. Bayley gets her foot on the rope, breaking the pinfall attempt at two. Bayley rolls out of the ring, and we go to commercial.

*Commercial Break*

Back from commercial and Belair covers Bayley for two. Belair drives her shoulder into Bayley’s midsection in the corner. Bayley gets to the middle rope and takes Belair down by her injured shoulder, covering her for two.

Belair rolls Bayley up, but Bayley rolls through and catches Belair with a knee to the face, pinning her for two. Bayley climbs to the top rope and hits a diving elbow drop on Belair for two.

Belair catches Bayley, rolling her up in a crucifix pin for two. Bayley rolls up Belair, but Belair powers out at two. Belair tries for a backslide, but Bayley blocks. Belair hits Bayley with a right hand, sending her to the mat.

Belair goes for a Glam Slam, but her arm gives out. Bayley runs at Belair in the corner, but Belair catches Bayley, dropping her face on the top turnbuckle. Belair hits a K.O.D. on Bayley, pinning her for three.

Winner: Bianca Belair

Belair is interviewed at the top of the ramp by Kayla Braxton about her successful week. Belair talks about how meaningful it was to get a win over Bayley, the longest-reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion. Belair says that winning the Royal Rumble would be the best way to cap off her successful week.

We get a recap of Kevin Owens powerbombing Roman Reigns through a table last week.

The match between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan has been confirmed for later tonight. AJ Styles is shown backstage with Omos and Cesaro walks up to them, and they speak to each other inaudibly.

King Corbin starts to come down to the ring for a match, but his opponent for tonight, Dominik Mysterio, attacks Corbin from behind. He stomps away at Corbin as refs come down to separate them and we go to commercial.

*Commercial Break*

King Corbin vs. Dominik Mysterio

Rye Mysterio is on commentary. Corbin drives Dominik into the corner, but fights out. Corbin runs at Dominik, but Dominik catches Corbin with a kick and a knee to the head.

Dominik hits a dive onto Corbin to the outside. Dominik gets back in the ring and Corbin circles the ring before re-entering. He catches Dominik at plants him face first, then hits a back suplex.

Corbin picks up Dominik, then lays into him with a right hand, knocking him to the mat. Corbin picks up Dominik at hits him with another right hand and a splash in the corner.

Corbin runs at Dominik in the corner, but Dominik dodges, then hits Corbin with a dropkick and senton, covering Corbin for two. Corbin gets to his feet and Dominik takes Corbin down, sending him into the middle rope.

Dominik goes for a 619, but Corbin blocks. Dominik hits a hurricanrana, sending Corbin into the top turnbuckle. Dominik hits Corbin with a DDT, pinning him for two.

Corbin rolls to the apron. Dominik goes for a dropkick on Corbin to the outside. Corbin dodges and picks up Dominik, tossing him onto the top rope. Corbin hits Dominik with End of Days, covering him for three.

Winner: King Corbin

Rey Mysterio gets off commentary and goes to check on his son. Corbin catches Rey, but Rey escapes his hold and pushes him into the steel steps.

Backstage, Big E is talking to Sonia Deville and tries to bribe her with a dollar and an Arby’s coupon to try and get his number revealed early.

The Miz and John Morrison show up, and Big E asks why they are on SmackDown. He talks about how the upcoming confrontation between Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens brought The Miz with his briefcase to SmackDown.

Big E gets in The Miz’s face, but John Morrison jumps him. Big E fights off Morrison and Miz, but refs break them up.

*Commercial Break*

Back from commercial and we are told that Natalya will face off against Tamina on WWE Backstage and the winner will earn the #30 spot in the Women’s Royal Rumble.

We see a recap of Sasha Banks beating Reginald last week, leading to her upcoming title defense against Carmella.

Sasha Banks is backstage and Reginald brings a bottle of wine to Sasha Banks as a gift from Carmella. She asks Reginald about which wine would go best with Carmella losing her match, and she hands the wine back to Reginald.

We get a recap of the matches between Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns, including Roman beating Owens at TLC, in a steel cage, and tossing him off of a platform in the Thunderdome, then the showdown between Roman and Adam Pearce.

The “War of Words” between Owens and Reigns is up right after a commercial.

*Commercial Break*

Backstage, Sami Zayn calls over Shinsuke Nakamura. Zayn asks Nakamura if he and Cesaro are breaking up. Zayn says that he and Nakamura have a history, and he asks Nakamura for a favor.

He says that he needs to win his Intercontinental Championship back from Big E. He says that teaming up with Zayn would be best for Nakamura as well, because Nakamura was at his best when he was with Zayn. Nakamura tells Zayn to “go to hell.”

Michael Cole welcomes Roman and Kevin and Owens to their interview. Cole asks Owens what will be different this time to ensure that he wins the championship.

Owens says that nothing that Roman or his family can do will stop him from getting back up over and over again.

Heyman disparages the way Owens speaks of Roman Reigns, telling Owens to address Reigns with respect. Reigns says that Owens is making excuses by bringing up Reigns’ family, so he asks Owens about his own family.

Roman starts asking Owens about his father, but Owens starts to threaten Roman for talking about his family. Reigns says that he was merely wondering why his father didn’t teach Owens about his own limitations and that he doesn’t belong in WWE with Roman.

Reigns says that Owens will never be Universal Champion again, but he doesn’t blame Owens for not knowing that. He blames Owens’ father. He says that Roman is trying to get under his skin, so he tells Roman to watch what he is saying about Owens’ family.

Roman laments to Heyman that Owens still doesn’t understand, but he might understand when his family calls him a disgrace by fighting against Roman. Owens comes back by saying that his family would want him to fight Reigns. He says that Reigns is just an insecure bully.

Owens says that his family would be proud of him. Before he can finish talking, Roman grabs a remote from Heyman and turns off his video feed. Owens says that he will be the last man standing and walks off.

Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles

Styles does indeed come down to the ring without Omos at first. Omos joins Styles at his side, but Styles then seems to tell Omos to let him do it on his own, and he walks to the ring alone as we go to commercial.

*Commercial Break*

Cesaro is on commentary. They trade moves and reversals with neither man gaining an advantage until Bryn gets Styles in an armbar. Styles reaches the ropes for a break, but Bryan does not let up, getting in a hammerlock on Styles.

Styles pushes Bryan into the corner, and Styles runs the ropes, but Bryan takes Styles down with a kick, pinning him, but Styles kicks out immediately. Bryan gets Styles in the corner and hits him with a chop.

Bryan runs the ropes, but Styles catches him with a knee to the midsection. Bryan gets to his feet and hits a suplex on Styles. Brayn goes to get on the top rope, but Sami Zayn’s music hits, distracting Bryan.

Bryan resumes his climb, but Styles pushes him off the top to the outside. Zayn starts to make his way to ringside with his documentary crew. Styles goes to the outside and whips Bryan hard into the steel steps, then we go to commercial.

*Commercial Break*

Styles runs at Bryan in the corner. Bryan dodges and chops Styles. Bryan runs the ropes and hits Styles with a clothesline. Styles retreats to a corner and Bryan runs at him, hitting a running dropkick.

Bryan hits a hurricanrana, sending Styles to the mat. Bryan pins him for two. Bryan kicks Styles, but Styles catches Bryan’s leg, hitting him with a dragon screw takedown.

Styles pins Bryan in the corner, hitting him with an enziguri. Styles places Bryan’s leg across the middle rope, kicking him in the thigh area. Styles locks in the Calf Crusher. Bryan reaches the bottom rope and forces a break,

Styles runs at Bryan in the corner. Bryan dumps him to the apron. Styles goes for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Bryan catches Styles in a Yes Lock. Styles reaches the ropes, forcing a break.

Big E’s music hits and Big E comes down, staring at Sami, who is at ringside. Big E takes off his belt and his coat, then hits Zayn with a clothesline. Big E tosses Zayn into the commentary table.

Cesaro gets in Big E’s face, asking what that was about. Cesaro kicks Big E in the face. Cesaro attacks Big E back. Zayn gives marching orders to Cesaro, but Bryan hits a dive to Sami and Cesaro, taking out Big E in the process.

Styles goes out and grabs Bryan, tossing him back into the ring. Sami Zayn comes into the ring and attacks Bryan.

Winner: Daniel Bryan (via DQ)

Sami Zayn and AJ Styles attack Bryan and Cesaro rolls Big E back into the ring before attacking him. Shinsuke Nakamura’s music hits, and Nakamura runs down for the save.

Nakamura, Bryan, and Big E are able to fight off Cesaro, Zayn, and Styles, and we go to commercial.

*Commercial Break*

Back from commercial and we have a 6-man tag team match.

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

Big E hits Cesaro, but Cesaro comes back with uppercuts. Sami Zayn tags in and punches away at Big E. Zayn slaps at Big E’s head and runs the ropes, but Big E catches Zayn with an elbow to the head, pinning him for two.

Big E tags in Daniel Bryan. Bryan strikes at Zayn, then tags Big E back in. They hit a double hip toss on Zayn, and Big E pins him for two.

Big E tags in Zayn and holds Zayn’s arm, letting Bryan hit a diving elbow to it. Zayn fights back with a chop block and tags in Styles. Styles slams Bryan’s knee into the ring post repeatedly and we go to commercial.

*Commercial Break*

Back from commercial, Cesaro hits a spin on Bryan. Styles tags in and goes back after Bryan’s injured knee. Zayn tags in and punches away at Bryan’s head. Zayn picks up Bryan and sends him face first into the top turnbuckle.

Zayn places Bryan on the top turnbuckle. Zayn goes for a superplex, but Bryan fights him off. Zayn hits a missile dropkick onto Zayn.

Both Cesaro and Big E tag in. Big e hits a belly to belly suplex on Cesaro and AJ Styles. Cesaro hits a corkscrew uppercut onto Big E, pinning him for two. Cesaro geos for a neutralizer, but Big E hits a back body drop.

Big E stands in the corner and Cesaro runs at him, but Big E hits him with a ura nage. The Miz’s music hits, and he and John Morrison come out. They attack Shinsuke Nakamura and Big E.

Winners: Big E, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Daniel Bryan (via DQ)

As The Miz and Morrison attack Big E, Otis comes out. Otis takes out The Miz and Morrison, turning Morrison inside out with a clothesline, then hits a double Caterpillar on The Miz and Morrison, and we go to commercial.

*Commercial Break*

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

The Miz is kicking away at Daniel Bryan. The Miz locks in a Figure Four Leglock on Bryan. Bryan punches away at The Miz’s head, and Miz releases the hold.

Zayn tags in and hits a Blue Thunder Bomb on Bryan, pinning him for two. Cesaro tags in and he hits an elbow drop on Bryan. Cesaro hits a vertical suplex on Bryan, pinning him for two.

John Morrison tags in and pounds away at Bryan, then kicks him in the face. Morrison picks up Bryan and tags in Miz, who kicks Bryan in the midsection. Miz tags in Styles.

Bryan tries to fight back, but Styles stops his momentum. Styles tosses Bryan into the turnbuckle. Bryan ducks Styles and both men run the ropes, then collide with double crossbodies.

Cesaro, Styles, and Morrison take out Bryan’s partners, so Bryan has no one to tag in. Sami Zayn tags in, but Sheamus suddenly runs in and jumps on the apron.

Bryan tags Sheamus, and Sheamus clears house. Sheamus clubs away at Morrison, but Zayn rolls him up for two. Sheamus hits an Irish Curse backbreaker then locks in a Cloverleaf, but Morrison breaks up hte pin.

Otis hits a slam on Morrison, but Cesaro hits a double stomp on Otis. Big e tages out Cesaro, but Miz hits Big E with a Skullcrushing Finale. Shinsuke takes out Miz. Zayn hits Shinsuke with a Blue Thunder Bomb.

Zayn runs at Sheamus, looking for a Helluva Kick. Sheamus catches Zayn with a Brogue Kick, pinning Zayn.

Winners: Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, Otis, Big E, and Shinsuke Nakamura

The Miz and Morrison immediately attack Sheamus. Braun Strowman’s music hits and Strowman hits running power slams on Zayn and Cesaro.

The Miz and Morrison retreat up the ramp, and Strowman continues to manhandle Cesaro. Strowman stands tall in the ring with bodies all over the place.

And that’s the show! What did you think of tonight’s show? And who do you think will win the Royal Rumble matches? Let us know in the comments below, and make sure to check back here on Sunday for our coverage of the Royal Rumble!