WWE Friday Night SmackDown rolled into the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York on January 2, 2026, delivering a packed night filled with surprises, title matches, and storyline developments. From shocking returns to championship changes, this episode gave fans plenty to talk about.
Below is a complete breakdown of the SmackDown highlights, including match results, major promos, and moments that shaped the night.
SmackDown aired live at 8 PM ET on the USA Network, and the show wasted no time making an impact.
Opening Segment: Randy Orton Sends a Message
The show kicked off with The Miz venting about everything that went wrong for him in 2025. His complaints were cut short when Randy Orton made a surprise return, dropping Miz with an RKO — and then delivering a second one just to drive the point home. A strong opening moment that instantly woke up the Buffalo crowd.
Backstage later in the night, Orton made his intentions clear by warning Cody Rhodes that once Rhodes is done dealing with Drew McIntyre, the Undisputed WWE Championship is next on Orton’s list. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis reminded Rhodes that any physical involvement with McIntyre tonight would cost him the title.
Eight-Woman Tag Team Action
In a fast-paced tag team bout, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, and IYO SKY picked up a pinfall victory over Nia Jax, Lash Legend, and The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane). The match showcased star power across the board and set the tone for future women’s title conversations.
Matt Cardona Makes It Official
One of the night’s biggest SmackDown highlights came when Zack Ryder appeared, only for the screen to reveal his WWE name change back to Matt Cardona. Cardona officially joined the SmackDown roster and followed it up with a win over Kit Wilson, who debuted a new look and theme.
Sami Zayn Finds New Motivation
During an emotional in-ring promo, Sami Zayn shared a personal story involving his child asking why he has never won a world championship. That moment reignited Zayn’s drive, but the promo took a turn when Trick Williams interrupted, announcing his arrival on SmackDown.
Williams confidently stated he wouldn’t need long to reach the top. Zayn wasn’t impressed, and the exchange made it clear that a new rivalry is brewing.
United States Championship Spotlight
Backstage segments continued to push the U.S. Title picture forward. Ilja Dragunov congratulated Carmelo Hayes on his championship win and hinted at a future rematch. Hayes later defended the title successfully, defeating Johnny Gargano by pinfall to retain the WWE United States Championship.
Elsewhere, Axiom declared his intention to face Gargano to reclaim his stolen mask, setting up another potential storyline.
Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre Escalate Tensions
Cody Rhodes addressed the crowd to discuss his upcoming Three Stages of Hell match with Drew McIntyre. McIntyre appeared via the TitanTron and revealed the stipulations:
A standard singles match
A Falls Count Anywhere match
A Steel Cage match
The segment took a dark turn when McIntyre burned an image of Dusty Rhodes, forcing security to restrain Cody to prevent him from losing his championship due to Aldis’ earlier warning.
Title Change: Giulia Captures Gold
Another major SmackDown highlight saw Giulia defeat Chelsea Green to become the new Women’s United States Champion. The victory marked a huge moment in Giulia’s WWE run and instantly reshaped the women’s division.
Main Event: Ambulance Match Chaos
The night closed with a brutal Ambulance Match between Damian Priest and Aleister Black. With assistance from Rhea Ripley, Priest overcame Black after a devastating Razor’s Edge into the ambulance windshield and a table spot that sealed the win.
Final Thoughts
From Randy Orton’s return to Giulia’s title win and a violent main event, this episode delivered some memorable SmackDown highlights to kick off 2026. Storylines moved forward, new rivalries formed, and championship scenes became even more unpredictable.
SmackDown started the year strong — and if this episode is any indication, Friday nights are about to get even more intense.