WWE SmackDown Results – Jan. 16, 2026 – Undisputed WWE Title #1 Contender’s Tournament Matches, Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre Appears

Jan 16, 2026

January 16, 2026
London, England – OVO Arena Wembly
Commentary: Joe Tessitore and Corey Graves
Results via Alex Kahrs of WrestleView.com

Quick Match Results

Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender Tournament Qualifying match – Randy Orton defeated The Miz via RKO (pinfall)
Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss defeated Giulia & Kiana James via Sister Abigail (pinfall)
Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender Tournament Qualifying match – Trick Williams defeated Matt Cardona via Trick Shot (pinfall)
Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender Tournament Qualifying match – Damian Priest defeated Solo Sikoa via South of Heavens (pinfall)
WWE United States Championship Open Challenge match – Carmelo Hayes (c) defeated Leon Slater via Avalanche Cutter (pinfall)
Jordynne Grace defeated Chelsea Green via Direct Effect (pinfall)
Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender Tournament Qualifying match – Sami Zayn defeated Ilja Dragunov via Helluva Kick (pinfall)

Pre-show Arrivals

Superstar Arrivals: Competitors for the upcoming qualifying matches to see who faces off at Saturday Night’s Main Event for the right to challenge Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble.

Ringside: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves

We head back to ringside as Corey Graves is on the call alongside Joe Tessitore tonight. Wade Barrett missing from the desk in London feels like he’s enjoying a rare week off OR will be doing something else tonight. Time will tell.

Video: Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu

Video Package: Highlights from last week’s 3 Stages of Hell Match, which saw Drew McIntyre come out of Berlin with the Undisputed WWE Championship after the untimely involvement of a returning Jacob Fatu.

In-Ring: Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, Jacob Fatu, The Miz

Back at ringside, the pipes are out (the bagpipes, I mean) to usher in the arrival of the new Undisputed WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre. Huge pop for McIntyre as he shows off the title on his way down the ramp. He soaks in the adulation on his way to the ring, even posing with some of the fans in the front row before stepping through the ropes. “Oh, Drew McIntyre” chants have been ringing out this whole time, and it seems that some swears are mixed in as we get muted audio here and there.

Drew has a mic, and the first thing he says is…I prayed for this, and it happened. “You deserve it” chants from the crowd, now. Drew knows it’s been a few rough years in the UK, but if anyone can bring them together, it’s their Undisputed WWE Champion, the first-ever British WWE Champion.

Another chant from the crowd as Drew shows his appreciation for all the love he’s gotten…before saying “screw you” to them all. He says he’s not doing the “bad guy wrestler” bit, seriously…screw you. Where were you when I was fired? Where were you when CM Punk kept screwing me? You all were cheering him on and YEETing with Jey Uso. When Cody and his crooked refs screwed me, where were you?

This gets the crowd riled up, as they chant “CM Punk” and “YEET” while Drew says the only person he’s going to thank is himself. If you want to chant anything, chant “Thank you, Drew.” This gets some chants from the crowd as Drew continues, saying that he’s gone over the contract and since Americans can’t read he’ll tell Cody what it says: there will be no rematch. Cody has to start from scratch like everyone else.

The era of Vanilla QB1 is over and the unpredictable, dangerous Drew era begins tonight. Before he can get any further, however, Randy Orton makes his way out to the crowd singing his theme. We see him chatting with a young fan in the front row before getting into the ring, where he gets a mic of his own.

Drew assumes that Randy is out here to congratulate him, but Orton says he and all these fans know they don’t like each other so no, he is NOT out here to congratulate the new champion. He reminds Drew that when he had the chance to kick his head in through the announce table he declined, but when Orton has that opportunity he won’t hesitate to invoke the three most dangerous letters in wrestling: R…K…O!

Curiously, out next is Jacob Fatu who confronts the new champion. He shoves Drew, and that sends the champ through the ropes and to the outside as Randy looks on with a smile…but not for long, as Miz blindsides him with a Skull Crushing Finale!

Miz stands tall over the Viper, pleased with his work as we find out this qualifying match is up next!

Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender Tournament Qualifying Match
Randy Orton vs. The Miz

Orton manages to fight back after what went down moments ago, before the action spills to the outside. Miz avoids being dropped onto the announce table, making Orton suffer that fate instead before bringing him back into the ring. Orton powers through, taking the fight right back to Miz before bringing him back outside…where he slams Miz onto the table a whopping three times at the behest of the crowd!

Orton rolls into the ring to break the count, bringing Miz back in before setting up for a draping DDT. Crowd is fired up as Orton “goes to that place” looking for the RKO…but Miz catches him with a Skull Crushing Finale instead! Cover by Miz, but Orton kicks out at two!

Orton powers out of another Finale attempt, with Miz rolling him up for a two before being sent to the ropes…and Orton drops him with an RKO for the win!

Winner: Randy Orton via Pinfall.

Orton celebrates.

Backstage: Drew McIntyre, Ilja Dragunov

we cut backstage, where Drew is confronted by Dragunov who talks about not fighting like a sane man as he looks to beat Sami Zayn to take one step closer to a shot at the WWE title. Drew says sure, he looks forward to bashing Dragunov’s teeth in before rushing away, and Ilja just smiles as we find out that we will see what went down with Solo Sikoa last week when we return.

Video: Solo Sikoa, The MFTs, Wyatt Sicks

We get a look at Solo Sikoa stealing the lantern of Uncle Howdy last week, a moment obviously meant to be presented to you by Progressive Insurance. Can you insure a lantern? I dunno.

Video: Wyatt Sicks

Anyway, we cut to a vignette from the Wyatt Sicks, as Uncle Howdy talks about its purpose. They won’t rest until that returns to its proper home.

Video: Lash Legend, Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax

We take a look back at Lash Legend costing Alexa Bliss a shot at the Women’s United States Championship last week, and the attack post-match with an assist from Nia Jax.

Backstage: Charlotte, Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, Lash Legend

Backstage, Charlotte has returned and Bliss is concerned about whether or not Flair was really sick last week.

Charlotte talks about the title opportunities she’s turned down for the sake of the team, but the pair reconcile before Bliss walks away. Flair looks to warm up some more before Nia Jax and Lash Legend show up to talk about Alexa’s attitude being “typical.” Flair won’t have any of it, refusing to listen to their unsolicited advice before walking off, as Jax says Flair will just have to learn the hard way.

Giulia & Kiana James vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss

Bliss and James start things off with a shoving contest before Bliss unleashes a flurry of offense. She hits the ropes, but Kiana gets her with a knee and a suplex. Tag made to Flair, who takes James to the corner. Kiana escapes, but gets caught with a kick before Charlotte tags Alexa back in. Assisted kick from the pair take down Kiana, who rushes to tag in Giulia.

She takes the former Women’s Champion to the mat, posing to a little bit of heat as we get muted audio signaling the “break.”

Tag made to Kiana, who wears Bliss down some more before tagging Giulia right back in. She gets Charlotte riled up, distracting the ref long enough for some cheap shots before getting a nearfall. Tag made to James, but Bliss takes her down for a two count of her own…only for James to stop her from making the tag, driving her to the opposite corner. Tag to Giulia for a missile dropkick and a nearfall, and a slightly awkward cover as Charlotte starts to intervene but doesn’t break it up as we come back from “break.”

Bliss gets the hot tag to the Queen, who chops James and Giulia down to “woo” chants and a pop from the crowd. Clothesline sends James to the mat. Kiana fights back, sending Charlotte to the corner…but Flair takes Giulia off the apron with a thrust kick before going up top to get the drop on Kiana for two.

Flair heads back to the corner, but is distracted by Giulia…and this allows James to pull Charlotte’s leg out from under her, setting up for a spinebuster. Tag made to Giulia, and James pulls Bliss off the apron as Giulia takes Flair to the ropes. Charlotte fires back until James tags herself in, hitting the ropes…but Bliss tags herself in as well, and intercepts Kiana with a Sister Abigail for the win!

Winner: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss via Pinfall.

Nia and Lash come in after the match, going after Flair and Bliss but attacking Giulia on the way in proves to be dangerous as the Women’s US Champion looks to get into it with them. James pulls her away from a potential scrap as we hear that up next we will hear from Cody Rhodes after what went down last week.

Backstage: Solo Sikoa, The MFTs

Solo says if the Wyatt Sicks wants their lantern back they’d better put the tag titles on the line. In the meantime, he’s going to take real good care of it, and he (implying Bray Wyatt) will be with Sikoa when he takes out Damian Priest to bring the WWE title to his family.

In-Ring: Cody Rhodes

We head back to ringside as Business Suit Cody Rhodes makes his entrance to a big pop. He shows his appreciation to fans in the front row on his way down the ramp, entering the ring as the crowd sings along with his theme. I’m almost certain most of this crowd was cheering Drew on last week and even earlier today, but that’s beside the point as Rhodes gets a microphone.

“Cody, Cody Rhodes” chant from the crowd, tho it’s mixed in with some booing as Cody acknowledges how different the reaction is this week. He talks about his usual routine, and how he’d ask what they wanna talk about. This gets boos and an “oh, Drew McIntyre” chant from the crowd (and yeah, I think I was right lol).

Don’t worry, we’re gonna address the WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre. He says he wasn’t just the company’s champion, he was YOUR champion…and this gets boos as he says he didn’t want them to be spectators but participants. He says he didn’t want things to be so episodic, or dare he say predictable, before asking if Drew is just that good? This gets cheers and another chant.

Cody asks what the likes of Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, and Cody Rhodes have in common…they all won back-to-back Royal Rumble matches. But only one man has pulled off a three-peat, but anyone knows Cody knows he loves a good gamble. He talks up his history in London, including the time he competed in WhatCulture Pro Wrestling to sharpen his skills on his road to becoming the American Nightmare, also saying they deserve a WrestleMania as he announces that he is officially declaring himself the first entrant in the 2026 Royal Rumble!

Big pop turning this crowd around as he turns his focus to Jacob Fatu. He saw Fatu compete in APW, and wrestle Solo Sikoa, and knows he’s a young veteran…but as a young veteran he should know what a receipt is, and he’s got one for Fatu!

Backstage: Matt Cardona

With that, we head backstage to hear from Matt Cardona. He was looking forward to wrestling his buddy for the title, but he has some history with Drew as well as he notes that McIntyre’s first WWE match was against him. Like Drew, Matt had to leave WWE to find himself, and now that he’s back he’s looking to prove himself by winning the WWE Championship!

Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender Tournament Qualifying Match
Trick Williams vs. Matt Cardona

Cardona goes after Williams to start but is quickly sent to the corner where Trick takes control. Matt fires back, sending Trick across the ring only to be dropped with a hip toss by the former NXT Champion. Williams hits the ropes but is tripped up by Cardona, who sends him to the outside for a dropkick through the ropes. Dive sends Trick to the floor as we fade to black for a “break.”

Cardona brings Williams back into the ring, but Trick leaves once again for a breather. Matt grabs him by the hair and Trick makes him pay, bringing the former Zack Ryder out before slamming him against the barricade and the apron. He brings Cardona back in, sending him to the corner for some right hands. He continues the attack, driving Matt into the ropes for more damage before the ref intervenes. Williams sends Cardona into the corner and connects with a neck breaker as we fade out of “break.”

Williams continues with some mounted punches on the canvas, followed by a chinlock that the spirit of Davey Boy Smith smiles upon. Cardona breaks free, but gets caught with a kick by Trick…only for the former TNA World Champion to take a DDT to the canvas by Matt! Williams gets sent to the corner for a running boot and a Zig Zag shades of Dolph Ziggler…but it only gets Cardona a nearfall!

Matt catches him with a roll up on the way back, and it gets another two count. Trick is sent back to the corner, but escapes a running boot…only to take one from the outside before being brought back in. Trick brings Matt in the hard way, and lands a Trick Kick for a cover…before Cardona manages to kick out at two!

Matt looking for a Rough Ryder but to no avail, and Trick dodges the former Intercontinental Champion before landing a pounce that sends Cardona into the ropes. Cardona looks for a break in the corner, but gets caught with a Trickshot that gets Williams the win to advance!

Winner: Trick Williams via Pinfall.

Trick celebrates on the outside, but is cut off by the arrival of Kit Wilson to a big pop. The two just stare each other down before Wilson turns his attention to Cardona, attacking him as the crowd pops (well, for his music anyway).

Backstage: Damian Priest

Backstage, we hear from Damian Priest as he talks about needing to get past Drew for the Undisputed WWE Championship. He faces Solo Sikoa up next, and Priest walks away as we head to commercial.

In-Ring: Kit Wilson, Jacob Fatu, Cody Rhodes, Nick Aldis

We return to the ring where Kit Wilson is in the middle of his promo saying they all need a solution, they all need…him. He calls himself a tonic for toxic masculinity, but he is interrupted by Jacob Fatu who nails him with a superkick. Jacob beats him up before sending Wilson out of the ring. He demands a microphone as he calls out Cody, saying if he has something to say to him to get out here right now.

Sure enough, Cody makes his way out sans business suit as he makes a beeline for the ring. He charges at Fatu and the two go at it until security rushes down to intervene. We see Nick Aldis in the ring as well, and Cody rushes over to get another lick in on Fatu as we…go to commercial again? Aight then.

Video: Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, Nick Aldis

We take a look back at what happened moments ago, and Cody Rhodes taking on Jacob Fatu is made official for Saturday Night’s Main Event next weekend.

Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender Tournament Qualifying Match
Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa

Back at ringside, Solo Sikoa is accompanied by his MFTs (his My Family Trees?) as he heads down the ramp with the Wyatt lantern, mocking the Sicks as Damian Priest makes his way out. He heads to the ring, posing to the delight of the crowd as we gear up for this qualifying match to get underway!

Sikoa has a side headlock on Priest, but he breaks free. Solo hits the ropes but takes a shoulder tackle from Priest, who follows up with a boot to send Sikoa to the outside. He goes after the former US Champion but is cut off by the MFTs. Priest and Sikoa return to the ring, where Solo lays Priest out and sends him to the floor as we fade to black for a “break.”

Solo brings Damian back into the ring, continuing the attack before it spills to the outside once more…only Damian catches Solo by surprise, sending him onto the announce table. He brings Sikoa back into the ring, but takes a pop-up Samoan Drop by Solo who gets a nearfall. He sends Priest to the corner for some more shots, taunting the crowd for heat before charging at Damian for a hip attack as we come back from “break.”

Solo lands a second hip attack, only to be laid out with a spinning heel kick by Priest on the third attempt. This allows Priest a chance to get back to his feet as Solo looks on from the corner. They trade strikes back and forth until Priest lands a discus forearm. They exchange headbutts before continuing, and a lariat from Damian sends Sikoa to the mat. Solo gets to his feet in the corner, but Priest escapes a Samoan Drop before taking Sikoa to the mat for a two count.

Damian goes up top, but gets hung up on his little priests thanks to Talla Tonga. The ref realizes what’s happened and ejects Talla from ringside as Priest fights off Sikoa for a Razor’s Edge…but Solo kicks out at two! Priest is distracted by Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa getting on the apron, and as the ref deals with them Priest gets hit with a spike and a spinning Solo slam for a nearfall!

The lights cut out after the Wyatt Sicks symbol appears on screen, and seconds later the Wyatt Sicks appear behind the MFTs. They go on the attack, clearing out the extra help from ringside before Solo takes out Uncle Howdy to keep the lantern away. He’s so preoccupied with bringing it back into the ring that he gets pulled into a South of Heaven by Priest who takes the win to advance!

Winner: Damian Priest via Pinfall.

As Damian leaves the ring to celebrate, Uncle Howdy enters the ring to retrieve the lantern…only to be laid out by a returning Talla Tonga with a big boot! Talla grabs the lantern, helping Sikoa out of the ring as we cut away.

Backstage: Sami Zayn, Drew McIntyre

Backstage, we see Sami Zayn as he is confronted by Drew McIntyre. Sami talks about going out there and going to war with Dragunov, before looking to meet Drew at the Rumble with the title on the line. Drew says the reality is even if Sami makes it to the Rumble, nothing will change as he’s not beaten McIntyre before. Sami scoffs at this as he walks away.

We get some hype for Sami Zayn taking on Ilja Dragunov later tonight, and an upcoming match between Jordynne Grace and Chelsea Green.

Video: WWE Unreal

We take a look at the upcoming second season of WWE Unreal, with a focus on the dynamic between Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. WWE Unreal comes to Netflix this Tuesday, January 20.

WWE United States Championship Open ChallengeMatch
Leon Slater vs. Carmelo Hayes (c)

Back at ringside, Carmelo Hayes makes his entrance as he gets ready to continue the open challenge. Who will step up to face him for the United States Championship? We will find out when we return from break …

Back at ringside, Carmelo Hayes awaits the arrival of his next challenger for the United States Championship…and it’s TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater, reminding us that indeed he actually IS competing this week after all the mess about him missing IMPACT this week (which…honestly, might be for the better all told).

Anyway, Slater makes his way to the ring to a nice pop from the London crowd as he steps through the ropes, and this match gets underway!

The two lock up, trading offense before they each get a nearfall over the other. Crowd chanting for Slater as Hayes gets on the attack, sending Leon to the corner…but the X-Division Champion fires back with a chop of his own! He sends Hayes to the ropes, but the champ leaps over his back to take a break.

Slater hits the ropes for a kick sending Hayes to the mat, as the champ sends his challenger to the ropes only to take another heel kick! He sends Melo to the outside for a dive, bringing him back in before going up top to keep up the momentum as we get muted audio to take us to “break.”

Ref checks on Hayes who is favoring his knee, before Slater takes the champ to the mat. Melo breaks free in the corner, landing a suplex for two. He brings the challenger to the corner, but Leon breaks free and lands a chop that sends the champ into the ropes. Melo fights back but is still favoring his knee as he looks for a suplex that Slater blocks. Slater sends him to the corner, getting a nearfall in the process. He brings Hayes back to his feet but is sent to the ropes, where they each block the other’s attack before Slater sends the champ to the canvas with a springboard Spanish fly as we return from “break.”

Both men make it to their feet to trade strikes, with Hayes being sent to the ropes hard. Slater lands a boot to the champ’s face, but Melo responds with a headscissors and a cutter for a close two count. Slater is back up and takes the fight to the champ, countering a First 48 into a half crab before Melo breaks free…but the X-Division Champion lands a side kick to pick up another two count!

Hayes looks for a breather on the apron, but Slater goes right after him. He dodges a charge on the ropes by Hayes, catching the US Champion with a leg drop across the back…but Hayes fights back, and this leads to both men getting a nearfall. Slater catches the champ by surprise and nearly gets the 3 before Melo kicks out.

Melo leaves the ring for another breather, only for Leon to dive over the ring post to get the drop on him! He brings Hayes back in the ring, going for a swanton 450 splash…but Hayes rolls away! First 48 connects and Melo makes the cover…but the challenger narrowly kicks out.

Hayes heads to the corner, but is intercepted by Slater on the turnbuckle…only to take an avalanche cutter by the champ, who gets the pin and the win to retain!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes via Pinfall to retain the WWE United States Championship.

Hayes celebrates his win.

Backstage: Shinsuke Nakamura, Tama Tonga

We see Shinsuke Nakamura watching on. Tama Tonga confronts him, mocking him for losing his shot at the United States Championship before saying he’s got his sights set on the title after MFT win the tag titles. Nakamura mocks him, clearly looking forward to a potential face-off down the line before walking away.

Backstage: Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Axiom, Nathan Frazer

Elsewhere, Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae are confronted by Axiom for what he’s been doing in recent weeks. Gargano then gets blindsided by…another Axiom? No, it’s Nathan Fraser, and they run him down before we cut away.

Video: Oba Femi

Video Package: Oba Femi is coming.

Chelsea Green vs. Jordynne Grace

Back at ringside, Chelsea Green makes her entrance as she takes on Jordynne Grace up next!

Back at ringside, we see Jade Cargill is watching on nearby as Jordynne Grace makes her entrance, and makes me miss her previous theme as she heads to the ring to get this match underway!

Jordynne shoves the former Women’s US Champion away, and as Green starts to fight back she gets sent down with a spinebuster and a tiger driver of sorts as we see Jade looking on. Chelsea fights back to send Grace to the corner, distracting the ref as Alba Fyre gets a cheap shot for good measure.

Green goes after Jordynne but only gets a one count, with Jordynne regaining control as she sends Chelsea to the corner. The power is too much for Green to fight back at this point, as a Direct Effect leads to Jordynne getting the win!

Winner: Jordynne Grace via Pinfall.

Jordynne gets a microphone to thank the champ for watching tonight, as she gets a chance to see what’s coming to her…but if she’s tired of just babysitting that title, come step up. This riles up Jade as she steps onto the apron to confront Grace. We see Chelsea getting back up as she charges at Jordynne…who sidesteps Chelsea, forcing her to collide with Cargill instead!

Chelsea backs away as Grace picks up the title, smiling as she stares down an angry Jade Cargill before we cut away.

Backstage: Trick Williams, Damian Priest

Backstage, Trick Williams talks about the Fatal 4-Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event before he is interrupted by Damian Priest, who says the two of them are free next Friday before challenging him to a match for SmackDown.

Next Week’s Show Card Rundown

Next week on SmackDown:

Women’s Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contender’s Triple Threat Match: Giulia & Kiana James vs. Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax & Lash Legend
WWE Tag Team Championship: Wyatt Sicks defend against MFTs
Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest

Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender Tournament Qualifying Match
Ilja Dragunov vs. Sami Zayn

The two trade strikes at the outset, with Dragunov taking control in this rematch from their fight over the United States Championship months ago. Dragunov takes Zayn to the mat hard, but it’s Sami who gets a set of nearfalls when he catches Ilja by surprise. Dragunov gets back to his feet, taking Zayn on a ride with a German suplex before Sami responds with one of his own.

Standing switches lead to Dragunov taking Sami back down with another German suplex, and heads to the corner only for Zayn to intervene. They fight it out until Sami connects with a superplex that sends both men to the canvas as we get muted audio for a “break.”

Both men get back to their feet and fight it out some more, before Dragunov hoists Zayn up for a suplex to take control…before my feed decides that now is the time to buffer like its first name is Michael. When it finally returns we see Zayn taking the fight back to Dragunov with some stomps. When he tries to get to the corner, Sami is stopped by Dragunov grabbing his ankle. Sami fights him off as I can hear the ref counting down the time remaining to get us back from “break” (and I don’t like calling that sorta thing out but here we are lol).

Zayn brings Dragunov back up to his feet and goes for a clothesline, only for Ilja to duck under for one of his own! He goes up top and hits a double leg drop on Zayn, but it’s only good for a two count. He sets up for an H-Bomb but takes a boot to the face by Sami. Dragunov blocks an exploder to send Sami to the corner, where he lands a pair of clotheslines.

Dragunov heads back to the corner where Zayn follows close, but Dragunov dodges the Helluva Kick to take the fight to the apron. He brings Sami up on his shoulders, but what happens next is lost to time as my feed once again says “nuh uh, you get to wait mister.” I get to find out that Zayn breaks free of it, but instead takes a Torpedo Moscow that drops him to the floor.

Both men are down as the ref begins the count, and Dragunov is closely followed by Zayn just in the nick of time. Big powerbomb by Dragunov, but it only gets a two as Sami sets up for a Helluva Kick for the win!

Winner: Sami Zayn via Pinfall.

We get a graphic confirming the Fatal 4-Way for Saturday Night’s Main Event, but Zayn doesn’t get long to celebrate as Trick Williams blindsides him for a cheap shot. He mocks Sami as he stands tall to bring SmackDown to a close.