WWE SmackDown aired live on January 2, 2026, from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The first SmackDown of the new year was headlined by an Ambulance Match between Aleister Black and Damian Priest.
The women’s division was also in focus as Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and RHIYO teamed up to face WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors, Nia Jax, and Lash Legend in an eight-woman tag team match.
WWE SmackDown Highlights
The Miz Declares Himself the New Face of WWE
The show opens with Michael Cole welcoming viewers as the venue is shown, followed by a video package on the Drew McIntyre–Cody Rhodes feud.
Inside the arena, The Miz interrupts commentary and says he refuses to move on to 2026. He complains about last year, saying he deserved a match on John Cena’s retirement tour and should have been the one to make Cena tap out. He says Cena left happy, while he was left behind. Miz claims he tried to mentor young stars but received no respect. He says respect should be expected from everyone.
Miz adds that he lost a movie role and blames unnamed people for ruining SmackDown and reviving an insulting nickname, leading to chants from the crowd. He says the positive is that Cena is gone and declares himself the new face of WWE. He calls himself the most decorated superstar, the locker room leader, and the adult in charge.
Randy Orton then makes his entrance. Miz welcomes him back and suggests they are both locker room leaders and could team as “Miz KO.” Orton responds by hitting Miz with an RKO. He tells Miz “happy new year” and hits a second RKO before posing as his music plays.
Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY vs Asuka, Kairi Sane, Nia Jax and Lash Legend
The 8-woman tag match opened with Lash Legend, Nia Jax, Asuka, and Kairi Sane attacking early and isolating Alexa Bliss for long stretches. IYO SKY later took control with speed and aerial offense but was cut off by tags from Nia, Lash, Asuka, and Kairi. After sustained pressure on IYO, Rhea Ripley finally got the hot tag and cleaned house with power moves. Chaos broke out with interference from all sides, ending when Rhea hit Rip Tide on Kairi Sane, allowing IYO SKY to connect with a moonsault for the pin. Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, and IYO SKY won the match.
Kit Wilson vs Matt Cardona
Kit Wilson came out claiming he is redefining masculinity and mocked the crowd as toxic before Matt Cardona interrupted. The match began with Kit taking early control using quick strikes, poses, and corner offense. Cardona fought back with clotheslines, kicks, and power moves, sending Kit to the floor. Kit slowed Cardona down with leg attacks and elbow drops and nearly won with the tourniquet. Cardona countered Kit’s corner attack, hit the Rough Ryder, and pinned Kit Wilson to win the match.
Trick Williams Confronts Sami Zayn on SmackDown Debut
Sami Zayn returned and said it felt good to be back after being away for a few weeks. He spoke about watching John Cena’s final match with his son and explained how his son questioned why Cena was a 17-time champion while Zayn had never won the WWE Championship. Zayn said he could not properly answer why the title was missing from his career despite facing top champions. He stated that 2026 is his year and declared he is coming for the WWE Championship.
Trick Williams interrupted, introduced himself as a dominant and athletic competitor, and said Nick Aldis brought him to SmackDown to be a future champion. Trick claimed he looks like a champion and will not wait years for success. Zayn responded that Trick has the tools but lacks humility, warned him about cutting the line, and said he would have no problem humbling him before leaving the ring.
Carmelo Hayes vs Johnny Gargano
Carmelo Hayes attacked Johnny Gargano at the opening bell and controlled the early part of the match with strikes and corner offense. Gargano rallied with speed and dives. Gargano nearly won after hitting the Super Air Raid Crash, but Hayes survived. In the closing moments, Hayes countered the Fairy Tale Ending, hit the First 48, followed it with Nothing But Net, and pinned Gargano to retain the WWE United States Championship.
Drew McIntyre Reveals Match Stipulations
Cody Rhodes came to the ring in Buffalo and spoke about how he became champion, saying it is not size, strength, speed, or age, but his mindset. He said he gets there early, studies his opponents, and believes that when people see the championship, they see him. Cody said he plays dumb while others underestimate him, and when he looks at Drew, he sees an easy fight. He said no matter who calls themselves the Final Boss or the Greatest, he is the champion, and that will not change in Berlin.
Drew McIntyre then appeared on the screen and called Cody predictable and bland. Drew announced their match stipulations: the first fall will be a normal wrestling match, the second fall will be falls count anywhere, and if needed, the third fall will be inside a steel cage with no interference.
Drew revealed he went onto Cody’s bus and brought out a photo of Cody with Dusty Rhodes, saying Dusty would be ashamed of him. Drew said he is about to become champion again and then burned the photo in a trash can. Cody tried to reach Drew, but officials, security, and Nick Aldis stopped him as Drew taunted him to hit him.
Chelsea Green vs Giulia
Giulia challenged Chelsea Green for the WWE Women’s United States Championship. Giulia controlled the early moments with a dropkick, a running kick, and a slam on the announce desk. Chelsea regrouped and landed a suicide dive after interference at ringside. Giulia pinned Chelsea Green after a Northern Lights Bomb to win the match and became the new WWE Women’s United States Champion.
Ambulance Match: Aleister Black vs Damian Priest
Aleister Black attacked Damian Priest at the start and tried to end the match early by forcing him into the ambulance. Priest fought back using the stretcher, ringside weapons, and power moves.
Zelina Vega assisted Black, but Rhea Ripley appeared and took Zelina out with a Riptide. The fight moved fully into the ambulance area with chairs, a crutch, a fire extinguisher, and a table involved.
Priest delivered a Razor’s Edge through the equipment near the ambulance and later forced Black into the ambulance. He shut both doors to secure the victory. Damian Priest won the Ambulance Match.
FAQs
Q. Did Trick Williams join SmackDown?
A. Yes, Trick Williams engaged in an intense face-to-face with Sami Zayn on his SmackDown debut.
Q. Who won the Women’s United States Championship match?
A. Giulia pinned Chelsea Green and became the new WWE Women’s United States Champion.
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