SmackDown Creative IS LIFELESS Heading Into The Royal Rumble | WWE SmackDown Review 1/23/26)

WWE SmackDown comes to Montreal as the final stop before Saturday Night’s Main Event, but instead of urgency, the show delivers a surprisingly lifeless build. On this SmackDown post show, I break down a night that should have felt important and instead raised serious questions about WWE’s creative direction heading into a major weekend.

AJ Styles returns following his shocking announcement, confronting SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis just days before putting his career on the line against GUNTHER. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes sits down to address Jacob Fatu as rumors surrounding Roman Reigns continue to swirl. With stakes this high, SmackDown needed energy — and largely failed to deliver it.

On this episode:

AJ Styles’ return and the fallout ahead of his career-threatening match

WWE’s lack of urgency heading into Saturday Night’s Main Event

Cody Rhodes’ interview and what it signals moving forward

Carmelo Hayes’ United States Championship open challenge

The Wyatt Sicks defending the WWE Tag Team Championships

Women’s division contender chaos and direction issues

Why SmackDown feels disconnected at a critical moment

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