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Hello everyone, welcome to 2026. I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable celebration of the Earth’s revolution around the sun. It’s also Friday so it’s time for another episode of WWE Smackdown. . . now 3 hours long. Well strap in people because Smackdown struggled to make 3 hours compelling the last time they tried it. Tonight we’ve got a main event that’s allegedly the blow off to the Damian Priest and Aleister Black feud, though I’m not sure what gimmick might be attached to it. Black and Priest have been going at it for a while, arguably too long, but we’ll see if Black remains stymied in the upper mid card or gets to break through against a former world champion. There’s also an 8 woman tag match, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair will team up with Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky to take on Nia Jax and Lash Legend who team up with the Kabuki Warriors of Asuka and Kairi Sane. In our last bit of confirmed stuff Kit Wilson will get an “opportunity”. . . to be squashed by someone like Oba Femi.

There was supposed to be a match between Jade Cargill and Michin that seems off with Michin’s injury so we’ll have to see what their plans are for Jade. Carmelo Hayes won the US title last week then got jumped by Johnny Gargano, which is an interesting choice for Hayes as far as first opponents go. Ilja Dragunov will need something new to do, Sami Zayn’s been MIA for a bit, the tag team scene is still a nothing burger while Solo Sikoa’s Mostly Faulty Terms still take aim at the Wyatt Sicks. Giulia has won a couple of matches in her quest to regain the women’s US title, but still doesn’t have much crowd support. It’s Rumble season so expect wrestlers to start declaring their entry into that. As for WWE champion Cody Rhodes, he can’t touch Drew McIntyre until next week when they’ll have a 3 Stages of Hell match but they’ll almost certainly interact in some capacity. Drew does still have to reveal what the individual stages will be so I do expect that to come up tonight. Still no Shinsuke Nakamura, no Randy Orton, no word on a return for Jacob Fatu, Rey Fenix isn’t doing anything, I could go on. But it’s a new year, hopefully tonight we get a good show. So let’s get to the action.

Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome us to Buffalo, New York for the show then we get a recap of the Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre stuff from last week.

Cody arrives at the venue while we’re told we’ll get the stages of Hell listed later. We see the relevant women arrive for the 8 woman tag match later. Oh, Damian Priest is here and his match with Aleister Black will be an Ambulance Match. OK then, gonna suck for Black to lose that and get shunted back down the card.

Miz comes through the crowd to talk, he says we’re not moving on to 2026 and he’s sick of Happy New Year. He’s got to air his grievances, it’s a Festivus tradition after all. First he wanted a moment or match with John Cena in Cena’s retirement tour but instead Cena rode off into the sunset while Miz is stuck here in Buffalo. Second he offered his guidance to all the up and coming talent, they should have been looking to pick his brain but all he got was ingratitude and entitlement. Now he’s demanding respect. Third he should have been cast in Marty Supreme but Chalamet stole the role. Fourth Joe, he stops himself from saying the name, ruined his last Smackdown and brought back a nickname. A very untrue nickname. That gets a “tiny balls” chant because we’re just filling time here. Miz says that wont become a thing again, but there’s a silver lining. John Cena is gone and now he’s the face of WWE, and he wins titles unlike teams from Buffalo. Cheap heat. Miz reminds us of his resume because no one cares about what he’s done and he has to. He calls himself the adult in the room filled with spoiled brats. Randy Orton’s music hits though and mercifully interrupts this. Odd thing for Randy to do in his comeback but here we are, the Viper takes his time walking to the ring. I’d really hoped we wouldn’t just get longer entrances to fill time but here we are. Randy punks out Miz briefly before posing in the corner. Eventually Randy gets a mic of his own, then Miz rallies the crowd to cheer Randy more which gets an “RKO” chant. Miz says it’s good to have Randy back and tries to tie him into being the leaders of this company and they could be MizKO. Randy then RKO’s Miz then he shakes Miz’s hand on the mat. The crowd want another one, we’ve got plenty of time to kill so Randy obliges along with a “Happy New Year” to Miz.

In the back the Kabuki Warriors warm up, then Nia Jax and Lash Legend come over and all four women bicker at each other. Asuka says they’ll keep the titles then will take on Jax and Lash any time. Sane stays for a few words so Asuka can do the “Kairi!” thing.

To the ring, here comes Iyo Sky followed by Rhea Ripley and we head to break.

Post break in the back Randy walks and finds Cody. Randy says, out of respect, after Cody beats Drew next week then Randy is coming for the WWE title. Randy leaves and Nick Aldis shows up to remind Cody not to touch Drew while Drew lays out the 3 Stages. Cody says he knows and is fine.

Back to the ring, Jax and Lash are there, Bliss and Charlotte got a jobbers entrance. Out come the Kabuki Warriors to complete the participants.

Match #1 – 8 Woman Tag Team Match: Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax, Lash Legend and the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane)

Big brawl to start with the heels jumping the faces and isolating Rhea in the ring. Asuka kicks away at Rhea including some decent Kawada kicks. Rhea catches a kick eventually and then both women avoid strikes for a bit before Rhea lands a kick to send Asuka out of the ring. Bliss gets tagged in and hits a cannonball senton onto Asuka and Kairi on the floor to send us to break.

We come back to Jax and Lash working over Bliss. Bliss does her comeback, low bridging Lash then hitting a jumping tornado DDT onto Jax. Charlotte takes the hot tag and hits a crossbody onto both Jax and Lash. Chops to both women then a thrust kick to Jax and walk over clothesline to Lash. Another kick to Jax then awkward Natural Selection. Charlotte goes up top for a moonsault and connects with it for a 2 count. Asuka gets booted off the apron then Charlotte with boots to Lash and Jax, then they have an awkward moment before Jax just hits a big sit. Headbutt from Jax then Asuka tags in. Charlotte rolls up Asuka for 2 then tries the Figure 8 but Asuka scoots to the ropes tags Sane hits an InSane Elbow to the bridging Charlotte. Bliss and Sane fight to the floor then Iyo tags in and goes after Asuka and Sane. Iyo with a double dropkick and kip up. Jax and Rhea fight on the floor so Iyo can’t tag then Asuka kicks Iyo down. Lash tags in blind and pump kicks a jumping Iyo out of the sky to get a near fall. That sends us to break again.

Asuka is beating up Iyo as we come back. Sane tags as Asuka hits a Codebreaker but there’s a miscommunication and the two run into each other. Iyo with a Flapjack to Asuka and tags in Rhea. Rhea runs wild on Asuka and Sane including using Sane to hit Asuka. Jax is slow breaking up a Riptide but does it eventually. Everyone gets a moment to hit the Parade of Finishers spot culminating with Rhea catching a jumping Sane then killing her with a headbutt and Riptide, but she tags Iyo for Over The Moonsault to win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss won in 14:32

Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: Decent match but a little overlong and the way it was broken up by commercials prevented any kind of flow to be established. Still a decent overall match but these eight women have worked a lot together and there’s some diminishing returns going on in some respects.

Post match all the faces celebrate together.

In the back Aldis talks with Jordynne Grace about coming to Smackdown. Chelsea Green interrupts being annoying. Aldis threatens to strip Green of her title if she doesn’t actually do her job and Green storms off.

Kit Wilson heads to the ring and we head to break.

Post break Wilson has a mic, he claims to redefine masculinity. He says Buffalo has the most toxic fans in the world, which is a stretch but certainly in the NFL you could make the claim. Zack Ryder shows up to interrupt and wrestle him, oh he’s going by Matt Cardona now at least so there’s that.

Match #2: Kit Wilson vs. Matt Cardona

Wilson attacks at the bell and kicks at Matt in the corner. Uppercut from Wilson then a dropkick. Clothesline from Matt then some corner work. Flapjack from Matt then he clotheslines Wilson out of the ring and follows with a diving dropkick. Back in the ring Matt goes for a 10 punch but Wilson slips free and kicks him down to the mat. Elbow drops form Wilson then some more strikes. Matt is set up top and shoves Wilson away then hits a dropkick and both men are down. Clothesline from Matt then a facebuster and more corner strikes. Corner boot then a Tiger Driver for a 2 count. Wilson with the Tourniquet and a 2 count, it’s a terrible Twist of Fate version. Radio Silence from Matt and that’ll do it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Matt Cardona won in 4:19

Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: This would have been better as a squash, instead it meandered a bit and felt a tad lifeless.

In the back Cathy talks with Damian Priest, Priest says he’s spent 6 months feuding with Aleister Black and enough is enough and this ends tonight. Black has tried to change him, but all he’s done is wake up something that even Black wont understand. He’s gonna send Black to the ER tonight, and that sends us to break.

As we come back commentary runs down the upcoming RAW show.

Wyatt Sicks video, Howdy asks what family means and says Solo is still trying to find his even since the Bloodline exiled him. The Wyatt Sicks may not be blood family but Solo hasn’t thought about what he’s up against. Solo mocks what he doesn’t understand, this family isn’t just them it’s filled with millions of firefly’s around the world that will always remember. It’s time to chop down Solo’s tree at the root. When the dust settles they’ll be the ones. OK then.

Back to the ring and here comes Sami Zayn. Sami gets a mic and plays a bit with the crowd, he says he got to just sit and enjoy the show recently for John Cena’s retirement match. He sat with his son watching the show and that experience really hit him. His son asked him at the start of the match about Cena’s “never seen 17” title. Sami explained that Cena won 17 world titles, then his kid asked how many times Sami won the world title and Sami had to say he’s never done that. His son asked him why he’s never won it, and he couldn’t answer because saying he wasn’t booked to win it wouldn’t make sense. Well his son has seen Sami in the ring with all these world champions, and he’s seen Sami bring home titles but that one title is missing. Last year Sami talked a lot about becoming a world champion and obsessed to the point of illness, but he’s not talking this year and this year he’s doing it. He’s winning the WWE title in 2026. That brings out Trick Williams. Trick gets a mic and enters the ring, decent “whoop that Trick” chants, then he says he’s finally arrived. He introduces himself to Sami and puts himself over and says Aldis brought him in because Smackdown needed help. Sami tries to get a word in but Trick interrupts him continues putting himself over. He’s here to look like a champion and become world champion. He says it wont take him 20 years to get a chance, he’s the man who can actually get the job done. Sami says Trick isn’t wrong and puts him over a bit but the problem is Trick hasn’t been humbled. He’s not the first guy to look good, be good, or is the first man to try and cut the line. But Sami has no problem teaching Trick a lesson about being humbled. Sami exits the ring.

Next a recap of Carmelo Hayes winning the US title last week, it was a great match. In the back Hayes walks and finds Ilja Dragunov, Ilja puts Hayes over but hints they might lock up again. Ilja asks about the open challenge, Hayes says after he handles Johnny Gargano tonight he will and says Ilja can get a rematch any time. Hayes walks and finds Miz, he thanks Miz and says this wouldn’t have happened without him. Miz smiles, and Hayes thanks him for leaving him alone so he could finally achieve something.

Johnny Gargano heads to the ring, heel version of Rebel Heart playing which is a choice. After this break Johnny gets a US title shot.

Post break Aldis talks with Rey Fenix, then Trick comes over complaining. Fenix and Trick trade barbs, and I can’t believe we’re going to use Fenix to just help Trick get over. Next week Trick and Fenix will wrestle. Please, Fenix is awesome, find something of substance for him to do.

Back to the ring, and we get a recap of Johnny attacking Hayes last week. Carmelo Hayes heads to the ring and skirmishes briefly with Johnny.

Match #3 – US Title Match: (c) Carmelo Hayes vs. Johnny Gargano w/ Candice LeRae

27 minutes between matches. Hayes attacks Johnny including some corner work and a running leg drop. Johnny with a rolling kick on the mat to cut Hayes off. Some corner work from Johnny now but Hayes tosses him off and hits a running knee strike. Johnny powders then hides behind Candice which sets up Johnny hitting a slingshot Spear to take over. Plancha from Johnny to the floor and we head to break.

Johnny hits a DDT as we come back. Some trash talk from Johnny, Hayes catches a kick and starts unloading strikes then hits a springboard clothesline. La Mistica from Hayes gets a 2 count. Johnny avoids a Black Crush, Hayes really needs to retire that one, but Hayes kicks Johnny in the back of the head then hits a fade away leg drop. Dive from Hayes connects then he heads up top for a Frog Splash and a 2 count. Hayes pulls himself up and hits a clothesline then climbs up to line up Nothing But Net, but he takes too long and Johnny attacks him on the top rope with chops and slaps. Johnny climbs up with Hayes, they fight for position and ultimately Hayes slips free and hits a gamen giri then tries a superplex but Johnny allegedly counters for a 2 count of his own and we head back to break.

Both men are trading blows as they fight up when we come back. Pump kick from Hayes, then a discus clothesline from Johnny. Johnny runs into a superkick, but then superkicks a jumping Hayes only for Hayes to hit a Black Crush for a 2 count. Johnny moves to the apron, he and Hayes trade blows with the ropes between them then Hayes lands a kick, Johnny with a kick and tries One Final Beat but Hayes blocks then hits one of his own to the apron. Hayes up top, misses a flying nothing then Johnny with a satellite DDT for another 2 count. Hayes powders now, Johnny follows with a suicide dive. Back in the ring Hayes with a knee to block a slingshot Spear, Hayes up top yet again but Candice complicates things so Johnny can crotch him. Johnny up with Hayes, avalanche Air Raid Crash connects but still just a near fall. Hayes and Johnny trade pin attempts then Hayes hits a First 48. Nothing But Net follows and that’ll do it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Carmelo Hayes retained the title in 16:46

Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: They made decent use of the extra time but this probably would have been better 3 minutes shorter and with a bit more of the match shown because most of what we got was just impact moves. This was good overall, the US title scene still looks like it’s going to do the heavy lifting for Smackdown.

In the back Tama Tonga watches TV, then turns to see Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura speaks Japanese to Tama, Tama speaks some back. Solo shows up and asks if everything’s OK. Tama asks about the Wyatt plans, Solo says tomorrow there’s a family vs. family match. After that they get the tag team titles. Solo leaves, but Tama looks after where Nakamura went. OK, Nakamura sowing dissent might actually make Tama interesting. That sends us to break.

Aleister Black video as we come back. It doesn’t matter what Priest says anymore, the victory between them will be spiritual because it doesn’t matter who wins because nothing will change. The only thing that’s changed is Priest and after tonight he’ll never bet he same. Zelina says tonight they put the final nail in the coffin of Priest’s illusions.

Cathy talks with Jade Cargill in the back, mostly about Michin’s shoulder injury at a house show. Jade did it on purpose and says injuries happen when you don’t know your place. Jordynne Grace comes over and wanted a look at what Smackdown has to offer, Jade says this is her show and she’s that bitch. Grace has a retort then leaves.

Elsewhere in the back Cody walks and finds Sami. Sami hasn’t seen Drew around, and Cody says he heard Sami and that everyone is being honest tonight. Sami respects Cody and likes him, but Cody has to know where Sami’s coming from too. Aldis comes over to cool things down, and Cody heads to the ring to handle things. Aldis stays back to share a look with Sami before we head to break.

Oba Femi hype video as we come back.

WWE champion Cody Rhodes heads to the ring. Cody gets a mic after removing his suit jacket. I need to point out, there’s a “Every Drew Sucks” sign hard camera side that includes a picture of Drew Pickles from Rugrats and that’s just kind of perfect. Cody says he’s not the biggest, fastest, strongest, or youngest, but his mentality has led him to success. His mentality when approaching someone in a ring is to be here first, to establish dominance you see. People who see him they think of his material success, then comes the envy and Drew McIntyre reeks of envy. Well Cody’s grateful that Drew represents a mountain to climb at least. He plays with the crowd a bit and he’s got an even bigger secret for Drew. Cody’s superpower is playing dumb, he lets the cameras and his peers play checkers while he plays chess. No matter who he sees in the back, and especially when he sees Drew, he sees lunch. You could be the Final Boss, Tribal Chief, Greatest of All Time, Scottish Warrior, or anything, Cody is the champ and that’s not changing. Drew shows up on the screen, he’s in the back in front of Cody’s bus. Drew says Cody is predictable, old school, and vanilla. Well Drew picked this match so here’s the stages. First up, straight wrestling and he’ll prove he’s the better wrestler. Second, Falls Count Anywhere. Third, if necessary, in an old school Steel Cage. Well that’s about as predictable as they get. Drew promises to break Cody physically next week. Well unless Cody gets stripped of his title between now and then. Drew then says he went into Cody’s bus and befouled it but he also took a picture of Cody and Dusty. Well he wishes Dusty were here to see the man Cody’s become, so Dusty now just has to look up in shame. He breaks the photo which gets Cody to charge to the back with a camera following him. A bunch of goons form a wall between Cody and the space Drew used to occupy, then we cut to Drew back in the ring with the photo and a trash can where he calls Cody back to the ring. Cody does head back while officials run after him and Drew pulls out a lighter to burn the picture while Cody can only watch. It takes Drew a long time to get it to actually catch fire. Drew gets face to face with a restrained Cody and eggs him on but the officials keep him restrained as we head to break. The desperation to make this feud feel as heated as they want it to be is becoming palpable, Drew and Cody did a decent job selling the emotion but this was a little drawn out overall.

We come back to a recap of what just happened in case you missed it.

Commentary talk about next week’s card, the WWE title match along with Wyatts and Solos plus Trick Williams vs. Rey Fenix.

Chelsea Green heads to the ring for our next match, she’s got Alba Fyre in tow. Giulia follows along with Kiana James.

Match #4 – Women’s US Title Match: (c) Chelsea Green w/ Alba Fyre vs. Giulia w/ Kiana James

35 minutes between matches, unacceptable length of time. Quick dropkick from Giulia then some corner work. Giulia throws Green around by the hair then hits a running boot to send Green out of the ring. Fyre tries to rally Green but Giulia kicks Green and rams her into the announce table. Fyre distracts Giulia and Green hits a suicide dive to send us picture in picture.

They head back into the ring and Giulia lands a knee to the face. Headbutt from Giulia and she retains control. Corner chops from Giulia then a snap suplex. Giulia with a second rope dropkick for a 2 count. A few more stomps and kicks from Giulia then a Curb Stomp into a Camel Clutch. Green fights upright as we come back and rams her way out of the hold. Giulia jumps for a Sleeper hold, Green keeps finding ways free then lands a right hand but Giulia just smiles at her. They trade strikes, the crowd is pro Green because despite being the heel they like her character. Green fires up with some clotheslines then an enziguri. Slap from Green then she tries Unpretty Her but Giulia fights free with a headbutt only for Green to land Radio Silence but the ref is distracted by James. Fyre attacks James and Green starts whining at the ref but Giulia kills her with a back suplex. Roll up from Green for 2 then a thrust kick. Green goes up top but Giulia slaps her and climbs up with her to hit an avalanche Butterfly suplex then floats over and follows with a Northern Lights Bomb to win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Giulia won the title in 7:35

Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: Nice to see them let Giulia actually wrestle a bit, she also more or less played heel here given the crowd dynamics. Nice finishing sequence from Giulia too, now actually let her have something to do as champion please.

Pyro goes off for Giulia, so they’re trying to make her seem like a bigger deal at least.

In the back Cathy talks with Rhea and Iyo, they’re looking forward to beating up the Kabuki Warriors for the titles on Monday. Iyo is happy about being champions together. Charlotte and Bliss wander over so they can wish them good luck. Bliss is sincere with this and that freaks out Rhea until Charlotte says they’re next in line which she understands.

We get a hype package for Black and Priest looking back at their feud leading to this point which sends us to break.

Post break we find Johnny in the back and Fraxiom come over. They both insult Johnny invite him to become a new man and mature then return Axiom’s mask. Johnny says if Axiom wants it back he has to take it from Candice. Nathan Frazer insults him a bit. Axiom says he’s getting a match with Johnny for next week and then he’ll get his mask back.

Back to the ring, the ambulance is in place and we get our main event entrances.

Match #5 – Ambulance Match: Aleister Black w/ Zelina vs. Damian Priest

Black attacks early then he and Priest start trading blows until Priest throws Black out of the ring. Front kick from Black to the face as they fight on the floor. They head towards the ambulance which is up on the entrance stage. Black opens the ambulance but Priest fights back. Priest pulls the stretcher out of the back of the ambulance then rams it into Black. Black gets dropped onto the stretcher and we go picture in picture.

They fight on the entrance ramp back towards the ring now with Priest battering Black around the barricades. Priest goes under the ring for a table, a Slim Jim table even and puts it against a barricade. Black goes into the ring but Priest kicks him from the apron then lines up his Old School version only for Black to yank him off into a knee strike. On the floor now both men tease strikes before Black hits a Meteora off the ring steps and drives Priest through the table. Priest lands a right hand, Black front kicks him again and they head into the ring. Stomps and kicks from Black but Priest lands punches only for Black to hit a leaping knee strike then a Penalty Kick to retain control. We come back to both men trading kicks to the chest. Black with elbows then a snapmare and knee drop to the face of Priest. More kicks from Black, Priest is happy to kick with him until black hits a leaping knee again. Priest hits the ropes for a rebound clothesline to floor Black. Corner elbow from Priest and Black rolls out of the ring which just sets up Priest to follow him. Priest runs around the ring and knocks Black over the announce table. Black shoves Priest into the ring post to buy himself some time and he gets a chair. Some chair shots from Black then he puts Priest’s head on the set up chair and punts the chair. Incredibly safe spot but nice looking, the safety isn’t a complaint. More chair shots from Black but Priest grabs him and chokeslams him on the apron. The crowd still want tables as they head into the ring. Knee from Black but Priest kicks him on the top rope. Priest up with Black and hits an avalanche hurricanrana but as Priest looks to follow up Black drills him with Black Mass to send us picture in picture with both men down.

Black drags Priest out of the ring and sends Zelina up towards the ambulance for something. Zelina brings the stretcher back down and Black loads Priest onto it, Priest tries to fight back but Black with tomahawk elbows then a Meteora onto the stretcher. Some more blows from Black as Zelina brings over the chair and Black hits Priest with it then rams him head first into the chair. Black starts pulling the stretcher up towards the ambulance. Once they reach the entrance stage Priest comes back to life and we come back to broadcast. Some elbows from Black but Priest with a head kick then he rolls off the stretcher. Black has the backboard though and hits Priest with it then rams it throat first into Priest. Zelina opens the ambulance and finds Rhea Ripley of course, Rhea chases Zelina to the ring and kills her with Riptide. Black is now torn between finishing off Priest and helping Zelina, he sticks with dragging Priest to the ambulance. Priest with some body blows to fight back, Black with a knee though. Priest is put into the ambulance but he blocks the second door from being shut and kicks Black away. Now Priest has a crutch and lays into Black with it. Black shoves Priest into a door then he hits another flying knee. Priest kicks Black away yet again and gets a fire extinguisher for that spot. Priest with a fireball to the face of Black and Black is down in agony. Priest closes the ambulance doors, he just wants to do more violence and looks in the back for a table. Yeah, Priest gets a double set of tables and drags it over under the ambulance. Priest sets for Razor’s Edge through the table but Black slips free and rams a side door into Priest then front kicks him again. They fight around towards the front of the ambulance and Priest gets rammed into a barricade. Black kicks Priest nearly into the fans then lands elbows and a head kick. There’s a crate over here and Black positions it, he elbows Priest onto it then climbs the barricade but Priest recovers and clubs him then delivers a Razor’s Edge onto the windshield of the ambulance. Now Priest puts Black on top of the ambulance, they fight towards the back of it where that double set of tables is positioned under. Priest with a shove and Black crashes through the tables, that’ll likely do it. Black is down and Priest wanders over to his body, but the ambulance doors are locked. Priest has to open a side door first then opens the back doors. Black is shoved into the back, then shuts all 3 doors to keep Black from ever ascending the card.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Damian Priest won in 23:59

Rating: 3.5 stars
Thoughts: This dragged a bit as it felt like a 20 minute match stretched out overall to it’s detriment. That said these two generally work well together but Black winding up still stuck in the same old limbo is profoundly disheartening.

The ambulance sounds and Priest celebrates as the broadcast ends.