Randy Orton closed the night as the final man standing during WWE SmackDown results Jan 23, delivering consecutive RKOs to send a clear warning ahead of Royal Rumble 2026. In the final moments of the show from Montreal, Orton dropped both Trick Williams and Sami Zayn, seizing momentum at a critical point in the Undisputed WWE Championship race.
The closing angle immediately became one of the defining moments from the WWE SmackDown January 23 Results, positioning Randy Orton as a major threat heading into WWE’s biggest season of the year.
Randy Orton Stands Tall After SmackDown Main Event Chaos
The SmackDown main event descended into disorder as Trick Williams faced Damian Priest, with Sami Zayn appearing at ringside and tensions spilling beyond the match itself. Williams initially looked poised to end the show on top after flooring Priest and standing tall in the ring.
That celebration didn’t last. Orton struck without warning, planting Williams with a sudden RKO before turning his attention to Zayn and delivering another decisive RKO. The image of Orton standing alone in the ring sealed the Randy Orton SmackDown Jan 23 moment and ensured he closed the night with maximum impact.
Why Randy Orton’s SmackDown Ending Matters
The Randy Orton stands tall SmackDown moment carried immediate implications. Orton is set to compete in a Fatal 4-Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIII, with the winner earning a shot at Drew McIntyre’s Undisputed WWE Championship.
By emerging as the last man standing, Orton gained crucial psychological leverage over his rivals. The closing RKOs reinforced the growing narrative around Randy Orton Royal Rumble 2026, with speculation mounting over a potential Randy Orton 15th world title run as WrestleMania season approaches.
Randy Orton’s Momentum Builds Toward Royal Rumble 2026
Earlier in the night, Orton stated backstage that he saw no reason to get involved until the moment demanded it, declaring 2026 to be “the year of the Viper.” The SmackDown ending proved those words were more than rhetoric, as Randy Orton last man standing SmackDown became the lasting image from Montreal.
For full context from the episode, check the complete WWE SmackDown Results Jan 23, 2026 from Montreal. Watch the closing RKOs and post-match chaos in the SmackDown highlights Jan 23 section.
Check all the Royal Rumble winners and other interesting stats, records, facts and videos from Royal Rumble.
