In an emotionally charged night in Berlin, WWE SmackDown delivered high-stakes matches resulting in significant title developments, with Drew McIntyre overcoming Cody Rhodes in a dramatic showdown. WWE SmackDown updates dominated conversations as unexpected interference and shifting alliances set the stage for the Road to WrestleMania.
The main event saw Drew McIntyre face Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match, an encounter that featured intense drama and a surprise return. Jacob Fatu appeared during the steel cage phase, attacking both competitors and shifting the bout’s momentum. Amidst Fatu’s chaos with Rhodes, McIntyre seized the opportunity to escape through the cage door, clinching victory. This finish was designed so that Cody Rhodes would not have to take a clear defeat, while allowing McIntyre to pick up a necessary win. The match will air without commercial interruptions in the U.S., indicating its importance on the current schedule.
Elsewhere, Trick Williams defeated Rey Fenix, Giulia retained her U.S. title against Alexa Bliss, and Carmelo Hayes successfully kept his U.S. title by besting Shinsuke Nakamura. In tag action, Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Talla Tonga overcame the Wyatt Sicks, moving towards a future tag title contest. Jordynne Grace, having officially joined the WWE SmackDown roster, earned a decisive win over Alba Fyre, confirming her impact as a new addition.
Upcoming matches poised to affect the title landscape include bouts at Wembley Arena: The Miz faces Randy Orton, Trick Williams meets Matt Cardona, Solo Sikoa battles Damien Priest, and Sam Zahn goes up against Ilja Draunov. Winners of these contests will advance to a four-way match on January 24 at Saturday Night Main Event, with the victor challenging Drew McIntyre for the WWE title at the Royal Rumble event in Riyadh on January 31.
Injuries, Roster Moves, and Legal Developments
Off the mat, the show confirmed significant roster and health updates. Elton Prince disclosed undergoing a two-level neck fusion surgery, validating previous reports regarding his injury status. Kit Wilson publicly offered support for his tag team partner during this challenging period.
Jordynne Grace’s full integration into the SmackDown roster signals further shifts in the women’s division, and her immediate success in the ring shows she will be a key competitor moving forward. WWE’s evolving roster landscape continues to affect both storylines and championship pictures.
A notable off-screen development occurred with a $5 million lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut against WWE. The suit contends that WWE misrepresented pay-per-view availability, promoting Wrestlepalooza as free for ESPN cable subscribers. The complaint references statements from WWE television, ESPN press releases, and Nick Khan’s comments on a podcast, alleging deceptive promotion and a bait-and-switch tactic.
Elsewhere in the industry, AEW revealed new opponents for an upcoming trios match on Collision, and NJPW announced Yota Tsuji for The New Beginning USA event, highlighting the global reach and cross-promotional movement in professional wrestling.
Royal Rumble Odds: New Favorites and Surprising Movements
As the Royal Rumble draws near, betting odds have shifted considerably in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Roman Reigns now sits as the leading favorite to claim the Men’s Royal Rumble, reflecting growing support in recent weeks. Odds on Reigns tightened from +750 in November to +165. Gunther follows closely at +200 after a significant uptick from his previous position at +600. Sami Zayn, initially the favorite at +150, now shares the +400 slot with Bron Breakker, illustrating rapid changes driven by ongoing storylines and results.
Other contenders include LA Knight (+600), CM Punk (+1000 after peaking at +400 earlier), with Seth Rollins and Oba Femi both at +1800. Dominik Mysterio stands at +2000, Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton at +2500, Drew McIntyre now at +2800 (down from +750), and The Rock rounds out the list at +3300.
For the Women’s Royal Rumble, bookmakers favor a close contest between Liv Morgan (+100), Bianca Belair (+200), and Rhea Ripley (+300). Charlotte Flair is next at +1000, followed by Lyra Valkyria (+1200), IYO SKY (+1400), and then a drop to Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill at +2000. Nia Jax, Chelsea Green, and AJ Lee each stand at +2200, while Asuka holds longshot odds at +2500.
Recent outcomes have spurred these adjustments. Damian Priest lived up to his -260 favorite status, defeating Aleister Black (+170) in an ambulance match on the January 2 SmackDown. Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss met expectations as -165 favorites, scoring a group victory over The Kabuki Warriors, Lash Legend, and Nia Jax (+120). On the January 5 Raw anniversary, CM Punk, a -280 favorite, defeated Bron Breakker (+180). Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY (-350) also captured the Women’s Tag Team titles from The Kabuki Warriors (+225).
A dramatic shift was seen in the NXT New Year’s Evil build: Oba Femi, who started as a -1000 favorite to defeat Leon Slater, saw his odds fall to -350 after word spread about his main roster plans. Jacy Jayne remained a -200 favorite as she retained the NXT Women’s Championship over Kendal Grey (+150), indicating consistency in the women’s title scene.
Industry Analysis: Business Results, Ratings, and Audience Growth
The Wrestling Observer’s annual business review focused on the year’s blockbuster events, including the Tokyo Dome show, title changes, and evolving company strategies. Hiroshi Tanahashi’s legacy and the conclusion of the Bullet Club saga took center stage in Japan, while the review also covered business trends such as large-event attendance, PPV revenue, and streaming audience forecasts.
A detailed breakdown named the leading draws and the top 50 arena-gate earners in wrestling history, reflecting how performers like Tanahashi, Dwayne Johnson, and others shaped both gates and global attention. WWE expects to boost its weekly audience on Netflix by nearly 12 percent in the coming months, signaling growth tied to cross-platform exposure and high-profile storylines.
AEW Dynamite numbers indicated 516,000 live viewers with a 0.08 rating among adults 18-49, though streaming data on HBO Max was unavailable at press time. Ticket sales showed an appetite for live wrestling, as the Glasgow, Scotland event was officially sold out with 11,072 tickets distributed, and similar expectations were set for an event in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Major promotions continue to battle for market share and audience engagement. Key international shows, including an NJPW deathmatch event featuring Jun Kasai and El Desperado at Horseshoe Las Vegas on April 16, and CMLL’s acclaimed Arena Mexico cards, maintain their status as staples of the global wrestling calendar.
Spotlight on Brody King and Wrestling’s Human Connection
Brody King, featured in a recent Orlando Sentinel interview by Jay Reddick, discussed his motivations outside the ring, touching on his activism, musical interests, and chemistry with other performers. King emphasized the need for empathy and advocacy in the industry, noting:
“I look at things in a very human way of what I feel is right and wrong,”
King said.
“I like trying to stand up for people who don’t have the voice to speak up for themselves.”
– Brody King, Professional Wrestler
Insights like King’s reveal the personal commitments many wrestlers share in using their platforms for broader good, highlighting wrestling’s unique power to mix sport, entertainment, and real-life advocacy.
Tributes and Legacy Moments in Pro Wrestling
The week also brought both celebration and remembrance. Samantha Irvin celebrated her 37th birthday, while tributes recognized the lives and careers of Pampero Firpo, Cocoa Samoa, Rex King, Pat Lyuda (Patsy Gilliland), and Rick Harris, all remembered for their impact across decades of wrestling history.
Legendary promoter Ed McLemore’s passing was also noted, alongside cult figures like Johnny Legend, with his association with Freddie Blassie and Andy Kaufman and his Incredibly Strange Wrestling promotion, further demonstrating the genre’s deep cultural roots and storied personalities.
Upcoming events continue to honor wrestling’s broad spectrum: VIP Wrestling’s Hard to Kill will feature Moose defending the title against Mike Santana in Arlington, Texas, while Marcus Mathers is set to begin with Dragon Gate starting January 18.
Recent sellout events, such as last night’s Arena Neza show with Mistico and Mascara Dorada triumphing over Bandido and Soberano Jr., and packed rematches at Arena Mexico, highlight the consistent excitement and enthusiasm of wrestling fans worldwide. Meanwhile, stories such as Zandokan Jr.’s absence due to knee surgery, the introduction of new faces like the latest member of Galleon Fantasma, and the never-ending tag team action all reaffirm the ever-evolving pulse of professional wrestling.
Looking Ahead: SmackDown and the Road to WrestleMania
With major title implications already evident and odds shifting on possible Royal Rumble winners, WWE SmackDown continues to be a critical arena for storylines propelling wrestlers toward WrestleMania glory. As Drew McIntyre sets his sights on defending his newly-won WWE title, challengers are lining up from both within the roster and through the fiercely competitive four-way qualification match.
Legal matters, roster additions, injury recoveries, and global business trends will all play a role in shaping the upcoming months for WWE and its competitors. As the weeks unfold, fans and industry insiders will watch closely for how McIntyre, Rhodes, Reigns, Gunther, and the top women’s contenders navigate this uncertain and thrilling landscape, making every WWE SmackDown update a moment to anticipate.
