WWE Friday Night SmackDown in London, England, UK, Live on the USA Network | January 16th, 2026 — The Episode Recap:
- robbyplaha
- Jan 18
- 6 min read
The January 16th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match Results:
The Opening Match: Randy Orton defeated The Miz in an Undisputed WWE Title Number One Contendership Qualifying Match | via Pin-Fall — (04:38)
The 2nd Match: Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair defeated Giulia & Kiana James in a Tag Team Match | via Pin-Fall — (08:27)
The 3rd Match: Trick Williams defeated Matt Cardona in an Undisputed WWE Title Number One Contendership Qualifying Match | via Pin-Fall — (08:51)
The 4th Match: Damian Priest defeated Solo Sikoa (with JC Mateo, Talla Tonga, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa) in an Undisputed WWE Title Number One Contendership Qualifying Match | via Pin-Fall — (10:08)
The 5th Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) defeated Leon Slater in a WWE United States Title Match | via Pin-Fall — (11:44)
The 6th Match: Jordynne Grace defeated Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre) in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (02:36)
The Main Event Match: Sami Zayn defeated Ilja Dragunov in an Undisputed WWE Title Number One Contendership Qualifying Match | via Pin-Fall — (12:27)
My Thoughts on the January 16th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:
My Thoughts: This show was heavily carried by the Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu Drama, the WWE US Title Match, and the main event. One thing I'll say coming out of this episode is the young talent has been shinign and that's something I'm very glad of because SmackDown was like the worst show in wrestling last year, and now they’re booking the right people and showcasing the right talent on both sides of the show. The four participants in the WWE Saturday Main Event Number One Contender Match were set in stone, and we see the seeds for a future WWE Women's Title Match between Jade Cargill and Jordynne Grace in the near future. I'm enjoying tyhis and I'm glad the young talent is shining. Keep this going, another decent episode of SmackDown.
The January 16th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match Ratings:
The Opening Match: Randy Orton vs. The Miz in an Undisputed WWE Title Number One Contendership Qualifying Match | The Match Rating: N/A — This was a quick one; before the match started, we saw The Miz ambushing Randy Orton. But in the end, Randy Orton hit an RKO to punch his ticket into the Fatal-Four Way Match for WWE Saturday Night Main Event. Finally, Randy Orton is back wrestling. It has been a while.
The 2nd Match: Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs. Giulia & Kiana James in a Tag Team Match | The Match Rating: *.50 — This was probably the worst match of tonight’s show. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair have done a great job being a tag team, and for Giulia and Kiana James, they been lackluster. There was no fire in this match; it felt boring until the end. WWE have a issue of really showcasing Giulia. They haven't done a good job of booking her on the Main Roster. How was it in NXT? That's how you book Giulia, but they haven't done a good job in that department since her call-up.
The 3rd Match: Trick Williams vs. Matt Cardona in an Undisputed WWE Title Number One Contendership Qualifying Match | The Match Rating: **.50 — I wasn't shocked that Trick Williams won, but man, I have to give kudos to the SmackDown booking department because they been on point with portraying Trick Williams, and thanks to his TNA World Title run, he has gotten a lot better in the ring. Matt Cardona made his return to WWE a couple of weeks back and suffered his first loss in a decent battle as Trick Williams punched his ticket into the Fatal-Four Way Match at WWE Saturday Night Main Event next weekend. After the match, Kit Wilson came out to a loud pop as he attacked Matt Cardona, but then was attacked by an angry Jacob Fatu. Decent match, Trick Williams has to revert to a babyface soon because they'll have no choice but to.
The 4th Match: Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa (with JC Mateo, Talla Tonga, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa) in an Undisputed WWE Title Number One Contendership Qualifying Match | The Match Rating: **.75 — This was okay. Damian Priest has finally shifted his attention away from Aleister Black after feuding with him for the past six and a half months. He took on the Leader of the MFT in Solo Sikoa. This match, like I saidf was okay there was some solid moments. But what the main highlight was when The Wyatt Sicks appeared and battled it out with the MFT as they went into the crowd as Uncle Howdy was still at ringside trying to obtain his lanturn but was attacked by Solo Sikoa as he had his eyes off the prize Damian Priest captialized and got the win to be the 3rd Person in the Fatal Four Way Match for WWE Saturday Night Main Event next week. Uncle Howdy tries to get the lanturn again, but Talla Tonga hits a big boot to prevent him from obtaining his item.
The 5th Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Leon Slater in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: ****.50 — Match of the Night as Carmelo Hayes continues his monster WWE US Title reign as he took on the hometown kid and the TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater in one of the best matches produced so far in 2026 by WWE. This match was fast-paced, and I liked how Leon Slater kept targeting the injured leg of Carmelo Hayes that he sustained last week against Shoinsuke Nakamura. Leon Slater looked like he fit right in and kept showcasing himself. Carmelo Hayes, on one leg, was sidestepping it out, trying everything in his power to still be champion, and the ending of the match was so awesome that the off the top rope avalanche cutter was sick by Carmelo Hayes as he retained his WWE United States Title. There is a new, profound sweeper by Carmelo Hayes since he turned babyface. He has been hitting his stride, and I can't wait for next week’s WWE US Open Challenge Match.
The 6th Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre) in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: N/A — Jordynne Grace made quick wortk agian of a member of The Green Regime as Chelsea Green took a massive beatdown as Jordynne Grace made quick work. Then afterwards, Jade Cargill came face-to-face but was taken out by Chelsea Green as Jordynne Grace raised the WWE Women’s Title. Jade Cargill and Jordynne Grace in the future for the WWE Women’s Title, sign me up. This would probably be Jade Cargill’s best singles match to date when that match happens.
The Main Event Match: Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov in an Undisputed WWE Title Number One Contendership Qualifying Match | The Match Rating: **** — This was a good main event. This wasn't like their US Title Match many months back, but this was a good match. Ilja Dragunov fights like every match is my last, and Sami Zayn has a mission to get the WWE Title and beat the man he can never beat in Drew McIntyre. Ilja Dragunov was busted open as the side of his face had blood pouring down, but I really love when these two go at it, just a hard-striking, physical masterpiece that a lot of wrestlers can't do. I liked how Ilja Dragunov outsmarted Sami Zayn on many occasions in this match, knowing his every move, but towards the end, Sami Zayn got it as he was the final person to punch his ticket into the Fatal-Four Way Match at WWE Saturday Night Main Event.
The January 16th WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match of the Night: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Leon Slater in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: ****.50
The January 16th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Episode Grade: 6.75/10 (C+) — This was very decent not like the last two episodes of SmackDown but it was enjoyable the last two matches, I like the direction of the show it’s a bunch of young talent who on the rise and kind of turning the tide and making the show fresh, and full of fun.
Next Week WWE Friday Night SmackDown January 23rd Episode in Montreal, Quebec, Canada — The Announced Matches & Segments:
The Wyatt Sicks (Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy) (with Erick Rowan, Nikki Cross & Uncle Howdy) (c) vs. MFT (JC Mateo, Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa) in a WWE Tag Team Title Match.
Alexa Bliss & Charlotta Flair vs. Giulia & Kiana James vs. Lash Legend & Nia Jax in a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Number One Contendership Triple Threat Match.
Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams in a Singles Match.
Johnny Gargano (with Candice LeRae) vs. Nathan Frazer (with Axiom) in a Singles Match.
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