As WWE gears up for the first SmackDown of 2026 at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, anticipation is high for what promises to be a critical night, especially with Cody Rhodes facing significant SmackDown trouble after last week’s controversial incident involving General Manager Nick Aldis. With the show returning to a three-hour format, new developments, rivalries, and possible repercussions for Rhodes are set to define the evening’s dramatic tone.
The event takes place under the spotlight of USA Network, as the blue brand enters a new phase. WWE has much at stake tonight—not only are there rumors of major surprises, but the conflicts, particularly surrounding Cody Rhodes and Nick Aldis, will draw the eyes of the WWE Universe. The show’s expanded runtime allows the company to showcase more superstars, escalating ongoing rivalries and introducing new storylines heading into the new year.
Main Event: A Chaotic Ambulance Match Between Damian Priest and Aleister Black
The continuing feud between Damian Priest and Aleister Black reaches its boiling point tonight with an Ambulance Match. Their rivalry, stretching over six months, has delivered high-stakes matches throughout 2025, none of which managed to resolve their hostility. The intensity promises to peak as both superstars are determined to settle the score once and for all, making the ring—and potentially the entire arena—a battleground.
This stipulation is expected to bring unmatched destruction, as both Priest and Black have little left to lose. Fans in Buffalo should brace for a spectacle of aggression as the two aim to conclude their feud in this decisive confrontation.
Cody Rhodes Faces Possible Consequences After Altercation With Nick Aldis
A cloud hangs over Cody Rhodes, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, after a physical incident with SmackDown’s General Manager, Nick Aldis, last week. Tensions between Rhodes and Aldis had been mounting, but everything escalated when Rhodes struck Aldis—allegedly by accident—while the GM attempted to prevent him from joining a ringside altercation.
Touching an authority figure in WWE, accidental or not, is a serious matter. Aldis is now considering punitive action, and many speculate that Rhodes will pay for his mistake. This could complicate Rhodes’s road to his scheduled title defense against Drew McIntyre, turning tonight’s SmackDown into a potential turning point for his reign. The situation between Rhodes and Aldis could become the flashpoint for an intensified rivalry, threatening Rhodes’s status at the top of the WWE roster.
Women’s Tag Team Division Ignites With 8-Woman Steel Cage Contest
One of the evening’s standout spectacles will be an 8-Woman Tag Team Match, set inside a steel cage, featuring the likes of Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, and IYO SKY as they unite against Nia Jax, Lash Legend, and the Kabuki Warriors. The stakes are high in the women’s tag team division, where a host of teams are jockeying for dominance and a shot at the championship.
This bout promises chaos reminiscent of WarGames, as the babyfaces clash with their heel rivals. Each team is determined to establish themselves as the dominant force, and tonight’s confrontation in Buffalo could fundamentally alter the championship landscape heading into the Royal Rumble and beyond.
Tiffany Stratton Rumored to Make Her Return
Speculation is swirling that Tiffany Stratton could make a highly anticipated return on tonight’s SmackDown. With rumors indicating that Michin, currently embroiled in a feud with Jade Cargill, is sidelined by injury, Stratton’s comeback would inject new energy into the women’s division.
Known as The Buff Barbie, Stratton is expected to not only return, but to reignite her rivalry with WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill. Given the heated nature of their past interactions, fans are eager to see if Stratton’s reappearance leads to immediate fireworks and sets the stage for another high-profile feud in the months ahead.
NXT Call-Ups Set to Freshen SmackDown’s Roster
After a year that many deemed underwhelming for SmackDown, WWE appears ready to shake things up by introducing new faces to the main roster. For weeks, teases have hinted at upcoming debuts, and tonight could be the night when NXT stars Joe Hendry, Trick Williams, and Oba Femi make their official transitions. Their arrival would signal a commitment to rejuvenating the blue brand and delivering fresh matchups and rivalries for the WWE Universe.
Injecting new talent often signals the start of a new era, offering hope that 2026 will mark a thrilling rebound for Friday Night SmackDown. As the new year unfolds, the impact of these arrivals will likely reshape storylines and create opportunities for emerging stars to claim the spotlight.
Tonight’s SmackDown is pivotal, with implications for the championship scene and the future of key WWE personalities like Cody Rhodes and Nick Aldis. The return of the three-hour format, high-profile matches, possible suspensions, and the introduction of new talent set the stage for a show packed with tension and excitement. What occurs in Buffalo may define the roadmap for WWE in 2026, making this episode essential viewing for any fan invested in the fortunes of the blue brand.
Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black next week on SmackDown is now an Ambulance Match. pic.twitter.com/MiuKz9Is9m
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) December 27, 2025
