WWE Friday Night SmackDown in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Live on the USA Network | January 23rd, 2026 — The Episode Preview:

WWE United States Champion Carmelo Hayes is issuing another US Open Challenge in Canada, a day before WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. Who’ll step up to Carmelo Hayes and try to take his WWE United States Title away from him? Don’t Miss a Huge Episode of Friday Night SmackDown at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT / 5:00 PM PT Live on the USA Network. (Image courtesy of WWE)

The January 23rd Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Episode Rundown:

• Cody Rhodes will be interviewed tonight before his one-on-one match against Jacob Fatu tomorrow at WWE Saturday Night Main Event. What'll the American Nightmare say about his massive match tomorrow, and will Jacob Fatu intervene and ruin this interview? Find Out Tonight.

• Carmelo Hayes continues his WWE United States Title Open Challenge. In Montreal, Quebec, Canada, he will issue an open challenge to anybody in the back who’s willing to go up against the man who holds the WWE United States Championship.

• The Wyatt Sicks will defend their WWE Tag Team Titles tonight against MFT. Last week, The Wyatt Sicks intervened and ruined Solo Sikoa’s chance of entering the Fatal-Four Way Match at WWE Saturday Main Event, so tonight the MFT are looking for some gold and will try to become WWE Tag Team Champions tonight.

• Alexa Bliss & Charlotte, Lash Legend & Nia Jax, and the WWE Women's United States Champion, Giulia & Kiana James, all will compete in a Three-Way No. 1 Contender's Match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles. The winners of tomorrow's WWE Women's Tag Team Title Match will face the winners of tonight's match.

• Damian Priest will take on the hottest thing on SmackDown, Trick Williams, who has been making enemies out of the veterans for his brass style. Damian Priest & Trick Williams are both in the Fatal-Four Way Match tomorrow at WWE Saturday Night Main Event, in which the winner of that match will face Drew McIntyre for the WWE Title at WWE Royal Rumble. Will the veteran teach the rookie a humble lesson, or will Trick Williams continue his winning streak and pick up a momentum-shifting win tonight against the former WWE World Champion?

• WWE Women's Champion Jade Cargill will go up against Chelsea Green after last week, when Chelsea Green accidentally bumped into Jade Cargill, causing her to fall, so this match was prompted for tonight.

The Matches Announced for the January 23rd Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:

1. Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. ??? in a WWE United States Title Match.

2. 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.

3. Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs. Lash Legend & Nia Jax vs. Giulia & Kiana James in a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender’s Match.

4. Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams in a Singles Match.

5. Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre) vs. Jade Cargill in a Singles Match.

The Appearances & Segments Announced for the January 23rd Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:

1. Cody Rhodes’ interview is announced for Tonight.