Tonight, WWE returns with Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIII streaming live from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT on Peacock (U.S.) and internationally on Netflix. This special event marks one of the biggest TV-branded episodes of the year, coming exactly one week before Royal Rumble 2026 — the first Royal Rumble ever held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The stakes couldn’t be higher as WWE uses the Montreal stage to launch the final chapter in the Rumble build with title implications, personal grudge warfare, and career-defining moments all on the line.

Here Is Everything Advertised For Tonight’s Show

• Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest vs. Sami Zayn (Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender Fatal 4-Way)

• Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY (c) vs. Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship)

• Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu

• AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Full Breakdown & Analysis

Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender Fatal 4-Way

Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest vs. Sami Zayn

This Fatal 4-Way is the cornerstone of tonight’s show — a high-stakes collision that will determine who earns the right to challenge Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre at Royal Rumble 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The match combines veteran poise, rising star potential, relentless athleticism, and hometown electricity into a chaotic decision-maker bout.

Randy Orton brings decades of championship pedigree and clutch performance ability. He is the “safe hand” in this match, someone WWE can trust in balancing the storytelling with credible threat. Orton’s psychological savvy and finish-game instincts make him a perpetual contender whenever a marquee opportunity arises.

Sami Zayn enters with emotional momentum — he’s a Montreal favorite, and his journey to the Fatal 4-Way has been marked by grit and crowd-driven support. Zayn’s qualifiers included an intense victory over Ilja Dragunov, which showcased his tenacity and technical savvy. The crowd reaction around Zayn’s participation tonight is unmistakable, adding not just volume but narrative weight to his presence in the match.

Trick Williams is the wildcard whose stock has surged in recent weeks. After ambushing Zayn on SmackDown and earning his Fatal 4-Way spot, Trick finds himself at the precipice of a main event breakthrough. The crowd’s reaction in Montreal — initially adulation that turned into heat when he attacked Zayn — underscores the dual-edged sword of his growing persona. Tonight may very well be Trick’s defining moment — either he cements himself as future top-tier talent or he cedes ground to more established players.

Damian Priest, with his imposing presence and athletic repertoire, rounds out the group as the brawler with genuine threat potential. Though considered by some analysts as the longer shot in terms of odds, his capabilities in a multi-man context make him a dangerous variable.

Analytically, WWE is building this match not just as a qualifier but as a microcosm of the Rumble’s unpredictability. Each competitor has something to prove: Orton wants to re-establish championship relevance, Zayn aims to convert hometown glory into title contention, Trick seeks a meteoric rise, and Priest pushes for elite legitimacy.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship

Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY (c) vs. Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez

The women’s tag division has become one of the most fluid and competitive units on the roster. Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY, collectively known as RHIYO, have rapidly asserted dominance since capturing the titles, blending Ripley’s unmatched force with SKY’s cat-like agility. Their challengers tonight — Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez — are a crowd-powered duo riding recent momentum after earning their title shot with decisive wins on Raw and SmackDown.

This match functions on dual narrative levels: it’s a title defense and a bellwether for WrestleMania trajectory positioning. If Morgan & Perez emerge victorious, it reshapes the women’s tag landscape and injects fresh narrative into the division. On the flip side, a dominant defense by RHIYO reinforces their heel authority and potentially lays the groundwork for future contenders as the Rumble builds to its climax.

Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu

This grudge bout carries personal stakes. Cody Rhodes has spent much of January maneuvering toward title opportunities, only to have momentum derailed by interference from Jacob Fatu, the “Samoan Werewolf.” Their conflict has roots in unresolved tension and physical confrontation, most recently manifested on SmackDown’s go-home show, where Rhodes avoided the topic of his title loss until challenged by Fatu’s presence.

Tonight’s collision is more than a retribution match; it’s a psychological pivot point. Rhodes is fighting not just for vindication but to reassert himself as a top dog contender, while Fatu looks to establish a legacy-shaping feud — marking himself as a formidable force capable of derailing even the brightest star. The outcome has significant implication for both men heading into the Royal Rumble.

AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (Special Attraction)

Officially added to the card following SmackDown, this match pairs two longstanding ring artisans and historical rivals. AJ Styles is on the precipice of perhaps the most consequential year of his career — weeks away from his career-threatening title shot against Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER at Royal Rumble 2026. Facing a time-tested adversary like Shinsuke Nakamura now serves a dual purpose: a narrative proving ground for Styles and a nostalgic reunion of one of WWE’s most respected pairings.

This bout is deeper than spectacle; it’s a statement match before Styles’ potential final test. Whether it’s Styles reaffirming his elite status or Nakamura reminding the world of his undeniable ring presence, this is more than filler — it’s foundational drama for the impending PLE chapter.

The Royal Rumble Context

Every contest tonight serves a larger purpose: advancing momentum toward Royal Rumble 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The title shot at stake in the Fatal 4-Way, the personal vendettas shaping Rhodes and Fatu’s night, and Styles’ emotional arc all feed into WWE’s long-range storytelling arc for Rumble and WrestleMania season. With Roman Reigns officially entering the Royal Rumble match and other major declarations unfolding, tonight’s Montreal spectacle represents the narrative’s penultimate step before the biggest multi-man match of the year.

In summary, WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Jan. 24, 2026 is not just a transitional TV special — it’s a strategic narrative nexus where character motivations, championship ambitions, and mythic storyline arcs converge. From the Fatal 4-Way’s seismic implications to Rhodes’ personal crusade, and Styles’ legacy-driven proving ground, Montreal is where the road to Riyadh deepens — and every outcome tonight will reverberate as the calendar turns toward Royal Rumble and beyond. 

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