Tonight in Buffalo, New York, WWE SmackDown returns to a three-hour format, featuring a high-stakes WWE SmackDown title match and significant developments ahead of next week’s main event. Fans can expect Chelsea Green to defend the Women’s United States Title against Giulia, alongside a pivotal appearance from Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre as anticipation builds for their upcoming clash.
Expanded SmackDown Show Brings Big Matches to Buffalo
WWE confirmed that SmackDown will again run for three hours, starting with the Buffalo broadcast, allowing for an expanded card and more on-air action. Chelsea Green, currently holding the Women’s United States Championship, puts her title on the line against Giulia. This rematch has extra intrigue since Giulia lost the belt to Green in November, when Green secured victory through opportunistic tactics, using the ropes for leverage during the pin. Both Green and Giulia are part of a notable group who have held this championship since its late 2024 debut, with Green now a two-time titleholder.
Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre Set the Stage for Their Main Event
WWE also announced that Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre will both appear live on tonight’s show. McIntyre is set to announce the rules for their heavily anticipated Three Stages of Hell match, which is scheduled for SmackDown on January 9. In this high-profile matchup, Rhodes will defend his WWE Championship against McIntyre, intensifying a rivalry that has caught the attention of fans across the wrestling world. The “Three Stages of Hell” stipulations promise a dramatic contest.
Tonight’s Complete SmackDown Card
The updated lineup for SmackDown in Buffalo is as follows:
1. Drew McIntyre will reveal the rules for the Three Stages of Hell match against Cody Rhodes.
2. Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green defends her title against Giulia.
3. Damian Priest faces Aleister Black in an Ambulance Match, bringing added drama and stakes to the evening’s confrontations.
4. An eight-woman tag match: IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss will compete against the team of Asuka, Kairi Sane, Nia Jax, and Lash Legend, showcasing top talent from the women’s division.
5. In a non-title bout, WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill squares off against Michin, promising further excitement for fans eager to see championship-caliber wrestling.
What These Developments Mean for WWE
This evening’s episode, featuring the highly anticipated WWE SmackDown title match and major storyline developments, reflects WWE’s ongoing commitment to high-energy entertainment and evolving championship rivalries. Chelsea Green’s title defense and the formal reveal for the Rhodes-McIntyre showdown will shape upcoming storylines and set the tone for early 2025. With leading superstars such as Rhea Ripley, Giulia, Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, Green, Michin, Cody Rhodes, Lash Legend, Charlotte Flair, and Jade Cargill all featured, SmackDown promises a memorable night for fans in Buffalo and beyond.
