Rhodes defended his WWE Championship successfully against Owens in a brutal ladder match at the Royal Rumble. Owens and Rhodes exchanged intense moves, using ladders as weapons throughout the match. Zayn checked on both competitors after Rhodes secured the victory; Owens suffered a brutal defeat and was left motionless.

Jey Uso teased potentially facing Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at WWE WrestleMania 41 when they spoke on WWE SmackDown. Uso came to the ring on the February 7th episode of WWE SmackDown, just days after he won the Men’s Royal Rumble to earn a title shot at WrestleMania 41.