The first WWE Friday Night SmackDown of 2026 in Buffalo set the stage for a chaotic year, with Drew McIntyre intensifying his rivalry against Cody Rhodes by targeting his family legacy in dramatic fashion. Throughout the night, the Drew McIntyre SmackDown feud dominated conversations as high-profile returns, surprise matches, and stunning moments kept the audience invested.
Memorable Matches and Major Victories Launch 2026
SmackDown returned to a three-hour format, kicking off the year with a packed card. The evening featured a high-stakes eight-women tag team bout, as Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, and IYO SKY combined forces to defeat Nia Jax, Lash Legend, and the Kabuki Warriors by pinfall. Matt Cardona also made his WWE comeback after years on the independent circuit, defeating Kit Wilson, who entered the arena with a new persona and attitude.
Giulia reclaimed the Women’s United States Championship in a rematch against Chelsea Green, solidifying her status as a formidable champion once again. Carmelo Hayes held onto the United States Championship with a victory over Johnny Gargano. In the main event, Damian Priest bested Aleister Black in a brutal Ambulance Match, decisively ending their rivalry for now.
Tense Segments and Heated Verbal Exchanges
The show began with The Miz seizing the microphone to express his grievances about being overlooked for marquee moments, including a match against John Cena and a coveted acting role. Declaring himself the mature leader in the WWE locker room, The Miz tried to form an alliance with Randy Orton. Orton responded only with a pair of signature RKOs after wishing Miz a Happy New Year, establishing his authority without words.
Backstage, Nick Aldis spoke with Jordynne Grace about her possible transition to the SmackDown roster, while Chelsea Green made excuses to avoid her scheduled defense. Aldis retorted that failing to compete would force him to strip her of the championship, ultimately leading to Green’s defeat at Giulia’s hands later in the show.
New Faces and Evolving Storylines
Kit Wilson, freshly rebranded from his Pretty Deadly days, antagonized the Buffalo crowd before Matt Cardona returned to WWE as his challenger. Cardona’s journey since leaving the promotion as Zack Ryder has been notable, with independent success fueling his comeback. His win signals new stories to come as he reintegrates into the WWE landscape.
Sami Zayn reflected on sharing his last big match with his son in the front row. Zayn, emphasizing the championships he’s already won, declared his intention to capture the WWE Championship this year. Trick Williams interrupted, asserting his own ambitions and stating that, unlike Zayn, he would not take decades to leave his mark. Their confrontation promises a compelling dynamic as Williams, now a SmackDown fixture, squares up to a new class of competitors.
Backstage Tensions and Building Rivalries
Tama Tonga caught the spotlight backstage, observed closely by Shinsuke Nakamura during a match. Following a cryptic exchange between the two, Solo Sikoa informed Tonga they would team up against the Wyatt Sicks in a four-on-four match next week, teasing new alliances and unresolved history. Jade Cargill addressed Michin’s shoulder injury, warning anyone else from getting in her way. When Jordynne Grace expressed interest in her future, Cargill proclaimed dominance over SmackDown. Grace countered with her own bold introduction, indicating a future rivalry between the newcomers.
Drew McIntyre Erupts Against Cody Rhodes’ Heritage
The simmering conflict between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre became the night’s emotional core. Rhodes spoke about what differentiates him from other hopefuls: his work ethic and champion’s mindset, while acknowledging the envy he senses from McIntyre. As Cody looked ahead to their title match, McIntyre derided Rhodes as “predictable and vanilla,” then outlined the brutal “Three Stages of Hell” stipulation: a standard wrestling match, a falls count anywhere bout, and a classic steel cage decider. McIntyre boasted about a photograph of Cody with his father, Dusty Rhodes, and delivered a chilling message regarding Dusty’s legacy. In a shocking act, McIntyre burned the treasured family photo in the ring, tossing its remains in a trash can as Rhodes, restrained by officials, watched in anger and disbelief.
This vicious display not only intensified their feud but also deeply personalizes their impending clash, drawing on Rhodes’ familial roots and WWE heritage. The burning image cements this as one of the most emotionally charged rivalries of the year.
Matt Cardona’s Triumphant Return to WWE
In one of the night’s biggest moments, Matt Cardona returned to SmackDown and the WWE main roster after years away. Formerly known as Zack Ryder, Cardona stepped in as the surprise opponent for Kit Wilson, marking a full-circle moment as he reenters WWE under his own name and identity. His victory signals a revitalization for the roster, as Cardona seeks to define his own legacy within the company’s ever-shifting landscape. The audience welcomed him back as a new wave of talent reshapes the SmackDown universe.
Giulia’s Redemption and New Champions Emerge
Giulia’s victory over Chelsea Green crowned her as a two-time Women’s United States Champion. Her previous run had left unfinished business, but tonight’s win marks a fresh chapter. With NXT contenders waiting in the wings, the division is poised for intense competition and potential showdowns—particularly if Giulia sets sights on Jade Cargill’s Women’s Championship in the near future.
NXT Stars Break Through on SmackDown
While the night’s attention was split by high-profile returns, more stars from NXT continued their upward trajectory, with Trick Williams officially joining the SmackDown roster. Although it remains uncertain where other free agents like Je’Von Evans and Jordynne Grace will land, SmackDown now boasts a compelling mix of experience, ambition, and untapped potential. Williams’ immediate announcement of his WWE Championship aspirations—especially should Drew McIntyre dethrone Rhodes—adds urgency to the evolving title picture, alongside veteran talent like Sami Zayn.
Setting the Stage for a Turbulent Year
With Drew McIntyre’s public denigration of Cody Rhodes’ legacy, the SmackDown feud has grown into one of the most emotionally charged and bitter rivalries in WWE, promising a brutal showdown next week. The additions of returning stars Matt Cardona and Randy Orton, plus the emergence of NXT talents, ensure that SmackDown’s narrative will remain complex and unpredictable in the weeks to come. As the draft landscape settles and personal paybacks loom large, WWE fans can anticipate further turbulence and high stakes on the path toward the WWE Championship.
