Friday Night SmackDown broadcast from the OVO Arena Wembley in London delivered a strategic and consequential episode on the Road to Royal Rumble and Saturday Night’s Main Event. With the newly crowned Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre holding court in the opening segment, the show laid the groundwork for his first title defense by beginning a number one contender tournament. Cody Rhodes stepped into the spotlight and formally declared himself the first entrant in the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match, recommitting to his pursuit of the WWE Championship after losing the title last week. Athletically, the night was defined by multiple qualifying matches that will culminate in a fatal four-way at Saturday Night’s Main Event for the next shot at McIntyre’s title. On the women’s side, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss scored a tag victory that intensified their rivalry with Giulia and Kiana James, and United States Champion Carmelo Hayes continued his Open Challenge tradition. SmackDown’s blend of in-ring competition and storyline evolution set an intentional pace with clear stakes as the Royal Rumble looms just weeks away.

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Here are the full results

• Randy Orton def. The Miz – SNME number one contender qualifying match

• Trick Williams def. Matt Cardona – SNME number one contender qualifying match

• Damian Priest def. Solo Sikoa – SNME number one contender qualifying match

• Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair def. Giulia & Kiana James – Tag match victory on SmackDown

• Carmelo Hayes (c) def. Leon Slater – WWE United States Championship Open Challenge

• Cody Rhodes officially declared himself as the first entrant in the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match

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Match/Segment/Show Breakdown & Analysis

Cody Rhodes’ Royal Rumble Declaration — Narrative and Stakes

Cody Rhodes’ return to the forefront of WWE’s narrative came through a focused, purposeful declaration that he would be the first entrant in the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match. Having lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre in a brutal Three Stages of Hell encounter last week, Rhodes’ decision to book himself into the Rumble underscores his refusal to languish in defeat and his commitment to a merit-based path back to the title. His declaration not only cements his prominence on the SmackDown landscape but also threads into a legacy pursuit, as Rhodes previously captured the Rumble on multiple occasions, and his involvement now fuels a compelling storyline of resilience and legacy building. Crowned as a contender who refuses shortcuts, Rhodes embodies the archetype of perseverance — a central pillar in professional wrestling storytelling that resonates with fans and positions him for a significant role at Riyadh.

Drew McIntyre’s Champion’s Opening Segment — Foundation for SNME

Fresh off his triumphant capture of the Undisputed WWE Championship on Jan. 9, Drew McIntyre opened SmackDown with presence and purpose. The nature of his promo established McIntyre as a champion who trusts in hierarchy and competition. According to reporting, McIntyre discussed contractual stipulations that negate an automatic rematch for Rhodes, reinforcing that challengers must now “work their way” into title contention rather than receive immediate rematches — a structural shift that elevates competitive merit and positions McIntyre as not only a dominant force but a champion shaping his title scene. This logic drives the night’s qualifier matches and gives a thematic coherence to the title picture heading into Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Qualifier Matches — Competitive Landscape Takes Shape

SmackDown featured three confirmed number one contender qualifying victories that will feed into the fatal four-way match at Saturday Night’s Main Event, establishing the next major collision course for the Undisputed WWE Championship:

Randy Orton def. The Miz — Orton’s methodical performance over The Miz reaffirms his legacy as a calculated veteran who blends experience with opportunistic in-ring strategy. Orton’s victory positions him as a credible threat within the contender mix, underscoring that his career continues to generate high-stakes relevance.

Trick Williams def. Matt Cardona — Williams’ victory over Cardona continues his ascent since being elevated to the main roster, pairing natural charisma with in-ring pace and measured aggression. Williams’ triumph over a returning Cardona builds his momentum and reinforces the notion that WWE sees him as a long-term fixture in SmackDown’s upper tiers.

Damian Priest def. Solo Sikoa — Priest’s win adds a dimension of physical dominance and credibility to the upcoming fatal four-way match. Priest’s athleticism and imposing presence make him an unpredictable competitor in any multi-man contest, and his success here situates him as a logical contender with championship aspirations rooted in competition rather than narrative convenience.

These qualifiers reflect a deliberately balanced field that juxtaposes seasoned veterans, rising stars, and hard-hitting performers — a narrative smartly constructed to deliver a compelling fatal four-way environment with unpredictable dynamics and a variety of stylistic clashes.

Women’s Division Momentum — Bliss and Flair Victory

On the women’s side of the card, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair teamed successfully against Giulia and Kiana James. While the broader title picture for the Women’s World Championship and supported feuds continues to evolve, this victory fuels ongoing tension and competitive threads within the division. Bliss and Flair’s alignment of experience, psychological acumen, and strategic cohesion serves as a narrative counterweight to Giulia’s ruthlessness, enhancing the depth of rivalry and raising the stakes of future singles and tag match confrontations.

United States Championship — Hayes’ Open Challenge Tradition

Carmelo Hayes’ United States Championship Open Challenge continued to solidify his reign as one built on opportunity and validation rather than avoidance. Leon Slater answered the challenge, bringing international buzz and high-octane athleticism into the contest. Hayes ultimately retained the United States Championship, reinforcing his positioning as a champion who thrives under pressure and welcomes ambitious challengers. The successful defense further establishes the U.S. Title as a workhorse championship on SmackDown and underscores Hayes’ role as one of the brand’s most consistently competitive champions.

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Closing Assessment

SmackDown’s Jan. 16 broadcast delivered exactly what a transitional yet consequential episode should: clear narrative progression, defined stakes, and compelling competitive outcomes. Cody Rhodes’ decision to lock into the Royal Rumble narrative provides emotional clarity and legacy context for one of WWE’s cornerstone performers. The qualifying victories by Randy Orton, Trick Williams, and Damian Priest not only establish the fatal four-way structure for Saturday Night’s Main Event, but also elevate each competitor’s momentum and standing. Pair that with impactful women’s division storytelling and Hayes’ continued championship identity work, and SmackDown emerges as an episode that builds toward major events with focus rather than noise. With the Royal Rumble just weeks away, WWE has used SmackDown not to answer every question, but to frame precisely which questions matter most.

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