Tensions Boil Over on WWE SmackDown Ahead of the Royal Rumble

The final night before WWE’s Road to WrestleMania officially gets underway kicked off from the Riyadh Season Stadium in the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as Friday Night SmackDown got the ball rolling.

The fans were in for a huge night as the go-home show for the Royal Rumble was packed with some exciting matches and segments, including a face-to-face meeting between Sami Zayn and the Undisputed WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre.

The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, opened the show tonight, addressing his brawl with Jacob Fatu at last week’s Saturday Night’s Main Event and the eventual interference from McIntyre.

Former Royal Rumble winners kick off WWE SmackDown

He announced his intention to win the Royal Rumble for a third time tomorrow night and use the platform to challenge Drew once again at WrestleMania 42. He even nodded towards a potential match with CM Punk for his World Heavyweight Championship.

His promo was cut short by his friend and former mentor, Randy Orton, who was serenaded by the Riyadh crowd as he made his way to the ring. Orton acknowledged Cody’s past achievements, but made his intentions about winning the Rumble clear to him.

He warned Cody that he would throw him over the rope if the chance arose without any hesitation, and before he could go further, he was interrupted by last year’s winner, Jey Uso.

They were joined by Sami Zayn in the ring and he stated that he would beat Drew for the first time in his career tomorrow and win the Undisputed WWE Championship.

The Vision then interrupted the four men in the ring when Nick Aldis announced a four-on-four match between The Vision and Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, and Jey Uso for the main event.

Make TJR Wrestling your choice for news by clicking here.