The January 9 edition of WWE SmackDown took center stage at Berlin’s Uber Arena, where a highly charged European crowd witnessed a compelling set of WWE SmackDown January 9 matches ahead of the Royal Rumble 2026. Featuring a headline Three Stages Of Hell WWE Title battle between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre, the card delivered dramatic moments, rising stars, and striking rivalries in a night of intense, passionate action.
Setting the Scene in Berlin
SmackDown’s trip to Berlin followed last week’s buzzworthy show and came just before the highly anticipated Royal Rumble, bringing added stakes to each contest. Among the most anticipated WWE SmackDown January 9 matches were Cody Rhodes defending his WWE Title against Drew McIntyre, Trick Williams’ official blue brand debut, and several clashes involving rising and established names. The card was carefully evaluated to determine which contest truly stood out and which left room for improvement.
6. Giulia vs. Alexa Bliss – Women’s United States Championship
Giulia began her second reign as Women’s United States Champion with a successful defense against Alexa Bliss. Although both competitors showed moments of cohesive pinfall attempts and there was some quality heel work from Giulia, the chemistry between the two was inconsistent. The crowd response picked up during Bliss’s offensive flurries, yet overall engagement lagged at times, perhaps due to clunky exchanges. Kiana James distracted the referee during key moments, paving the way for Lash Legend’s interference, which ultimately cost Bliss the match after Giulia executed her signature Northern Lights Bomb. Despite flashes of brilliance, the interaction between Giulia and Bliss did not reach their highest potential, placing this match at the bottom of the rankings.
5. Jordynne Grace vs. Alba Fyre
Jordynne Grace’s official SmackDown roster debut was marked by dominance in a swift squash match against Alba Fyre. Grace imposed her power early, throwing heavy clotheslines and slam after slam, leaving little doubt as to the bout’s direction. Fyre managed a spirited comeback with some offense, but the outcome felt certain from the start. A late attempt by Chelsea Green to distract Grace proved futile, as Grace neutralized the interference before dispatching Fyre with her powerful Beast Mode finisher. While their two minutes in the ring were energetic, the match did not deliver major surprises or memorable highlights.
4. The Wyatt Sicks vs. The MFTs – Eight-Man Tag Team Action
In an eight-man tag match brimming with storylines, The Wyatt Sicks faced The MFTs in a seesaw battle. Early on, Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis energized the crowd with synchronized suicide dives. However, the pace slowed when Solo Sikoa dictated a methodical middle segment for his squad. Momentum shifted again as Erick Rowan delivered an electrifying hot tag, leading to a memorable showdown with Talla Tonga. The contest culminated in dramatic fashion as Solo Sikoa and Uncle Howdy clashed, the sequence unraveling into chaos. Sikoa’s bizarre interaction with the lantern caused Uncle Howdy to abandon an attack on The MFTs, opening the door for Tama Tonga to end the contest with his Cutthroat maneuver. The match’s abrupt conclusion lacked impact but delivered enough notable moments to rise above the lower-tier bouts.
3. Rey Fenix vs. Trick Williams – Main Roster Debut for Williams
Trick Williams, recently elevated to SmackDown’s main roster, entered the ring against the renowned Rey Fenix in the evening’s opening contest. Williams asserted dominance with a powerful style, countered by Fenix’s fast-paced luchador offense. Audiences responded with enthusiasm to both superstars, buoying the match’s energy even as intensity wavered in places. Williams emerged victorious, seizing a win via a crafty roll-up using the tights—a move that reinforced his heel persona on the main roster. Fenix, a crowd favorite, added his characteristic dynamism to the match, making it a strong showcase for the blue brand’s newcomer despite its relative predictability.
2. Carmelo Hayes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – United States Championship Open Challenge
Carmelo Hayes’s open challenge for the United States Championship invited Shinsuke Nakamura into the ring for one of the night’s top-tier contests. Hayes demonstrated his trademark speed and aerial maneuvers, while Nakamura strategically targeted Hayes’s leg, incorporating technical prowess and deeper storytelling. Nakamura’s relentless submissions, Dragon Screws, and stiff kicks forced Hayes to dig deep and rally, which brought fans to the edge of their seats. The closely fought contest saw gritty, resistant offense from both competitors, culminating when Hayes hit his signature Nothing But Net to retain his title. The blend of technical skill and psychological tension made this one of the card’s most compelling offerings.
1. Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre – WWE Championship, Three Stages Of Hell
The night’s main event—a WWE Championship match under Three Stages Of Hell rules—saw Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre escalate their rivalry in a match layered with brutality, emotion, and drama. McIntyre claimed the first fall by distracting the official to deliver a low blow and Claymore, putting him in the lead. The second fall transformed the contest into a sprawling brawl, featuring weapons, crowd interactions, a balcony dive through a table, and even a Cross Rhodes through the announce desk. Rhodes tied the score at one apiece, setting the stage for a climactic steel cage encounter.
Within the cage, both men battled exhaustion and pain, utilizing the environment in creative and vicious ways. The action saw superplexes, the cage weaponized, and a daring Cody Cutter from the top. Chaos reached its peak as Jacob Fatu stormed the ring, targeting McIntyre and Rhodes. Amidst the perimeter disorder, McIntyre managed to escape through the cage door, snatching a 2-1 victory and capturing the WWE Championship in an unexpected finish. The encounter’s intense back-and-forth and big-fight feel made it an instant classic, thrilling the Berlin audience and shaking up the title scene heading towards the Royal Rumble.
Impact and Aftermath of SmackDown’s Berlin Showcase
WWE SmackDown January 9 matches at the Uber Arena reflected the brand’s ongoing evolution, with new faces like Trick Williams and Jordynne Grace making strong statements and established stars like Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre elevating the drama with a war for the WWE Championship. Unexpected interference, shifting alliances, and heightened rivalries now set the stage for even greater intensity at the upcoming Royal Rumble 2026. With the European audience roaring throughout, this edition of SmackDown enhanced anticipation for what’s next in WWE’s blockbuster season.
