The first WWE SmackDown of 2026 arrived with heightened anticipation, broadcast live from Buffalo, New York, now expanded to three hours, marking a new era for the Friday night staple. WWE SmackDown 2026 results feature major title shifts, high-stakes matches, and a series of surprise returns and confrontations, setting the tone for high drama this new year.
Big Returns and Heated Openings
The show opened in the KeyBank Center, as Michael Cole and Corey Graves set the stage, reminding fans of last week’s escalating tensions between WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and contender Drew McIntyre ahead of their Three Stages of Hell encounter. The arena‘s atmosphere was amplified by the sight of an ambulance parked beside the entrance, foreshadowing tonight’s brutal stipulation bout between Damian Priest and Aleister Black.
As Cole and Graves discussed SmackDown’s future, The Miz interrupted, launching into a tirade about unresolved issues from 2025. He aired grievances that ranged from being overlooked in key matches, frustration over new talent disrespecting his legacy, and resentment for what he perceived as slights by Joe Hendry and others. Attempting to position himself as the new face of WWE after John Cena’s departure, Miz drew the ire of the Buffalo crowd with pointed sports team barbs.
The tension was broken when Randy Orton made a triumphant return to SmackDown, his entrance electrifying fans who sang along to his theme. Orton brushed off Miz’s attempt to team up under the moniker “Miz-KO,” instead silencing Miz with a surprise RKO—then, spurring on chants, delivered a second as a New Year’s gift. Orton’s comeback stirs speculation about a possible clash with Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Title, following previous hints of a future rivalry.
Women’s Division Showdown Sets the Stage
Tonight’s first marquee bout saw Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss take on The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane), Nia Jax, and Lash Legend in an intense eight-woman tag team contest. Asuka and Ripley opened the bout with relentless aggression, but the tides shifted constantly with each tag.
Chaos erupted as the heels attempted to isolate Bliss, only for the match to devolve into an all-out melee featuring signature moves from nearly every participant. SKY shone in the climax, delivering a double missile dropkick before finishing off the Kabuki Warriors with her Over The Moonsault, securing victory for her team. The win cements Ripley and SKY’s claim as strong contenders for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles, foreshadowing their Raw bout with Asuka and Sane.
Matt Cardona Makes His SmackDown Presence Known
Kit Wilson attempted to rile up Buffalo with inflammatory remarks, only to be interrupted by Matt Cardona, formerly known as Zack Ryder, in his return match under his real name. Cardona weathered early offense from Wilson, rebounding with trademark moves including a flapjack and the Broski Boot. Despite Wilson’s nearfall with the Tourniquet, Cardona claimed victory after connecting with the Rough Ryder, signaling his official arrival on the SmackDown roster and raising questions about his future trajectory.
Backstage Developments and New Rivalries
Elsewhere, NXT’s Jordynne Grace visited SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis amid hints she could soon compete on the brand. Chelsea Green attempted to evade her title defense against Giulia but was rebuffed, foreshadowing a pivotal championship match. SmackDown also featured appearances from several Buffalo Bills players, while the Wyatt Sicks group delivered a cryptic message warning Solo Sikoa of the strength found in their family ties.
Sami Zayn’s Return and Trick Williams’ Debut
Former United States Champion Sami Zayn made his long-awaited return, reflecting on witnessing John Cena’s final match with his son, which motivated his renewed determination to capture the WWE Championship in 2026. The debuting Trick Williams interjected, declaring himself the brand’s most entertaining superstar and a true champion in waiting. Their verbal exchange hinted at a burgeoning feud, with Zayn vowing to humble the rising star, setting up a dynamic clash of veteran versus cocky rookie. The story of
“veteran wants to humble cocky rookie”
is a simple, but effective one.
Open Challenges and Brewing Contests
Backstage, Ilja Dragunov complimented Carmelo Hayes on their previous matches, expressing a desire for another showdown. Hayes affirmed he’d continue his U.S. Title Open Challenge after concluding business with Johnny Gargano, as Nick Aldis later confirmed a match between Trick Williams and Rey Fenix for the coming week.
Carmelo Hayes Retains the U.S. Championship Against Johnny Gargano
The contest between Carmelo Hayes and Johnny Gargano ignited with explosive offense, as Hayes started aggressively, challenging Gargano’s technical skill. Both men exchanged momentum shifts, highlighted by Gargano’s use of Candice LeRae as a shield and Hayes’ series of high-flying attacks. Nearfalls and reversals kept the crowd guessing, culminating with Hayes surviving Gargano’s biggest moves and finishing the match with his signature First 48 and Nothin’ But Net, successfully defending the United States Championship and solidifying the Open Challenge legacy on SmackDown.
Tensions Escalate with Shinsuke Nakamura and The Wyatts
After the U.S. Title bout, Tama Tonga and Shinsuke Nakamura clashed verbally, reigniting their NJPW rivalry before Solo Sikoa stepped in to announce a four-on-four encounter between the M.F.T.s and the Wyatt Sicks the following week. Meanwhile, Jade Cargill and Jordynne Grace engaged in a war of words backstage after Cargill’s comments on Michin’s injury, with Grace firing back, “I’m Jordynne Grace, but you’re definitely one of those (i.e. “a bitch),” directly referencing Cargill’s earlier statement.
In preparation for next week’s explosive card in Berlin, the lineup promises the Three Stages of Hell for the Undisputed WWE Championship, Rey Fenix facing Trick Williams, and the Wyatt Sicks vs. the M.F.T.s.
Dramatic Face-Off Between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre
Cody Rhodes, determined and poised, addressed the Buffalo crowd on his journey to championship glory and his mindset heading into his defense against Drew McIntyre. Rhodes characterized McIntyre as envious but saw him merely as an obstacle to overcome. McIntyre, appearing on the Titantron, revealed the stipulations for next week’s Three Stages of Hell—first, a standard wrestling match; second, Falls Count Anywhere; third, if needed, a steel cage showdown. In a dramatic twist, McIntyre boasted about stealing and destroying a cherished photo of Rhodes with his late father, Dusty Rhodes, setting the image ablaze and intensifying their personal animosity ahead of Berlin’s main event.
Giulia Captures the Women’s United States Championship
Chelsea Green put her WWE Women’s United States Championship on the line against Giulia in a high-stakes contest. Giulia unleashed a ferocious assault from the outset, but Green found opportunities to counter with assistance from ringside interference. Despite distractions and tactical exchanges, Giulia’s resilience shone through. She executed a devastating top-rope underhook DDT followed by the Northern Lights Bomb to claim the pinfall, securing her victory and taking home the Women’s U.S. Championship. While the win marks a significant moment for Giulia, the tepid audience response underscores ongoing challenges in SmackDown’s women’s division.
Women’s Tag Team Scene Teases Upcoming Conflicts
With Giulia now the new champion, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY turned their focus to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles, set for a match on Raw. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss declared themselves ready to challenge the winners next, with Bliss wishing Ripley and SKY luck ahead of Monday’s showdown, ensuring the tag division remains sharply contested.
Ambulance Match Main Event: Damian Priest Outlasts Aleister Black
The culmination of long-standing animosity saw Damian Priest face Aleister Black in a brutal Ambulance Match. The action exploded early, with both men trading punishing strikes and weapon attacks in and out of the ring, eventually moving to the stage and the waiting ambulance. Priest introduced a stretcher as a weapon before both men landed high-impact moves on and around the ambulance. Rhea Ripley’s surprise intervention chased off Zelina Vega, shifting the momentum late in the match. The climax saw Priest fend off Black with a fire extinguisher and a dramatic fireball attack, before sealing victory by hurling Black through a table and shutting the ambulance doors to end their feud, at least for now.
The match, despite its stipulation and spectacle, felt subdued much of the way, only building excitement near its close with table spots and outside interference. The conclusion marks a likely end to this rivalry, paving the way for both Priest and Black to pursue new storylines.
Looking Ahead for WWE SmackDown
The debut episode of three-hour SmackDown produced a densely packed night of surprises, debuts, title battles, and emotionally charged confrontations. The U.S. Title scene continues to deliver standout matches, while the personal feud between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre has set the stage for a deeply personal—and possibly career-defining—Three Stages of Hell showdown. Furthermore, fresh faces like Trick Williams and Jordynne Grace hint at an evolving roster, while the return of Randy Orton brings unpredictability to SmackDown’s main event landscape.
As WWE moves forward into 2026, questions linger about whether SmackDown can maintain the intensity and quality of this extended format, but the premiere’s turbulent energy signals an eventful year ahead for the blue brand.
