Priest and Ripley Reunite on SmackDown as Dragunov Defends U.S. Title Tonight

Overview

• SmackDown airs live from Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, kicking off the second week of the Royal Rumble build.
• Damian Priest teams with Rhea Ripley as the ‘Terror Twins’ for their first match together in over a year against Aleister Black and Zelina Vega.
• United States Champion Ilja Dragunov puts the title on the line against Tommaso Ciampa after their on-screen rivalry escalated in recent weeks.
• The Cody Rhodes–Drew McIntyre feud continues after last week’s car attack angle, with the preview suggesting it is steering toward another title match.
• The preview flags ongoing mysteries and contenders, including speculation about masked figures tied to Jacob Fatu’s attack and developing challenges for Jade Cargill and Chelsea Green from Michin and Giulia.