🔴WWE SmackDown Review (1/23/26) SmackDown Creative Is Lifeless Heading Into the Royal Rumble

WWE SmackDown is LIVE from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and this is the final stop before Saturday Night’s Main Event. On paper, tonight should feel important. In reality, WWE is struggling to create urgency as key stories limp toward the weekend.

AJ Styles returns to confront SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis following his shocking announcement, just days before putting his career on the line against GUNTHER. Is this truly the beginning of the end for AJ Styles, or another example of WWE forcing drama without momentum? Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes sits down for an exclusive interview to address Jacob Fatu, as rumors surrounding Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes continue to dominate the headlines.

On tonight’s SmackDown LIVE review, I break down what works, what doesn’t, and why this show feels disconnected at a time when WWE should be firing on all cylinders heading into Saturday Nights Main Event.

On tonight’s WWE SmackDown:
AJ Styles returns to face Nick Aldis ahead of his career-threatening match with GUNTHER
WWE Tag Team Championships: The Wyatt Sicks defend against The MFTs
United States Championship Open Challenge: Carmelo Hayes answers the call
Number One Contender Triple Threat featuring Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Giulia, and Kiana James
Grudge match between Trick Williams and Damian Priest
Jade Cargill goes one-on-one with Chelsea Green
Nathan Frazer vs Johnny Gargano with Axiom’s mask on the line

📍Support The Channel:
♦Join the "Off The Script" VIP Club: 👉   / jdfromny206  
♦Get Your JDfromNY Merch: 👉https://www.bonfire.com/store/off-the...
♦Follow on Twitter/X: 👉  / jdfromny206  
♦Follow on Instagram: 👉  / jdfromny206  
♦Follow on Tik Tok: 👉  / jdfromny  
♦Follow on Twitch: 👉http://www.twitch.com/jdfromnewyork
♦Request A Cameo: 👉http://www.cameo.com/jdfromny

🤝Sponsors:
♦ Blue Chew (Use Code "JD"): https://go.bluechew.com
♦ Turtle Beach (Code "SCRIPT"): http://www.turtlebeach.com/script

🎵The Official Off The Script Music Playlist:
♦Spotify 👉https://tinyurl.com/49arna26

📢Off The Script Podcast on iTunes & Spotify:
♦Apple Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3r53nycv
♦Spotify Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/yt8k63t2

#WWE #SmackDown #WrestlingNews #ProWrestling #CodyRhodes