Tonight’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown emanates live from the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, and the blue brand is loaded with consequence and storyline escalation as WWE continues its Road to Royal Rumble 2026. At the center of the show is a brutal Three Stages of Hell match for the Undisputed WWE Championship between reigning champion Cody Rhodes and his long‑time rival Drew McIntyre, a confrontation that has boiled over into deeply personal intensity in recent weeks. Adding to the stakes is the main roster in‑ring debut of Trick Williams against high-flying Rey Fenix, as well as a key eight-man tag team war between The Wyatt Sicks and The MFTs, making tonight’s SmackDown a must-watch stop on the road to the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia for the first time ever.

Here is everything advertised for tonight’s show

• Trick Williams vs Rey Fenix
• The Wyatt Sicks vs The MFTs
• Cody Rhodes (c) vs Drew McIntyre — Undisputed WWE Championship in a Three Stages of Hell match (Standard, Falls C

Analysis

Cody Rhodes (c) vs Drew McIntyre — Undisputed WWE Championship in Three Stages of Hell

The centerpiece of tonight’s show, Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Title against Drew McIntyre in a Three Stages of Hell match, stems from one of WWE’s deepest ongoing rivalries. McIntyre’s hostility has escalated dramatically, including personal attacks aimed at Rhodes’ family legacy, creating a highly charged, narrative-driven feud. The match’s structure — a standard bout, a Falls Count Anywhere clash, and a potential Steel Cage finale — allows both men to display storytelling through action while giving WWE flexibility for high-impact moments that could set up Royal Rumble consequences. Rhodes’ resilience and McIntyre’s relentless aggression promise a match that blends physical intensity with emotional storytelling.

Main Roster Debut

Trick Williams’ first in-ring match on the main roster against Rey Fenix is an immediate test of his credentials. Williams comes in with a decorated NXT background and a confident, cocky persona, while Fenix brings explosive offense and veteran credibility. A strong showing for Williams would instantly elevate him into SmackDown’s mid-card title scene and possibly future Royal Rumble contention, while Fenix looks to reinforce his status as one of the brand’s premier high-flyers.

Faction Warfare

The eight-man tag match between The Wyatt Sicks and The MFTs continues a developing faction storyline with stakes for dominance and credibility within SmackDown. The eerie, unpredictable cohesion of the Wyatts contrasts sharply with the MFTs’ aggressive and hard-hitting style, making the bout a compelling narrative-driven battle. This match is not just a spectacle — it advances factional hierarchies, seeds potential future rivalries, and maintains audience investment in SmackDown’s tag division.

Tonight’s SmackDown is more than a weekly show — it is a storyline crossroads on WWE’s Road to Royal Rumble. From the Three Stages of Hell title match that could redefine Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre’s legacies, to Trick Williams’ high-stakes debut against Rey Fenix, and the factional warfare between Wyatt Sicks and the MFTs, every segment serves larger narrative purposes. Outcomes here could influence Royal Rumble trajectories, set up new rivalries, and reshape the mid-card and main event landscape in the weeks to come. Fans should expect intense physicality, dramatic storytelling, and potential surprises, making tonight a defining chapter in early 2026 SmackDown history.

SmackDown in Berlin promises a night where rivalries intensify, stars make statements, and WWE continues to build momentum toward its first major pay-per-view of the year.

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