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

Randy Orton ended the night RKO’ing Trick Williams & Sami Zayn as the night closed. (Image courtesy of WWE)

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

The Opening Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) defeated Ilja Dragunov in a WWE United States Title Match | via Pin-Fall — (16:35)

The 2nd Match: Jade Cargill defeated Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre) in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (03:20)

The 3rd Match: MFT (Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga) (with JC Mateo, Talla Tonga & Tonga Loa) defeated The Wyatt Sicks (Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy) (with Erick Rowan, Nikki Cross & Uncle Howdy) (c) in a WWE Tag Team Title Match | via Pin-Fall — (09:40) — TITLE CHANGE!!!!

The 4th Match: Nathan Frazer (with Axiom) defeated Johnny Gargano (with Candice LeRae) in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (10:05)

The 5th Match: Giulia & Kiana James defeated Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair and Lash Legend & Nia Jax in a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender’s Triple Threat Tag Team Match | via Pin-Fall — (10:55)

The Main Event Match: Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest in a Singles Match | via No-Contest — (13:40)

My Thoughts on the January 23rd Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:

My Thoughts: This was a good episode from a storytelling standpoint, and I really appreciated how the show flowed from segment to segment. I especially enjoyed the Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov match, as I thought it was the best match of the night. Both guys brought great intensity and chemistry, and it felt like a meaningful, competitive bout rather than just a random TV match. Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu had an excellent segment that felt raw and real; it came across as something genuinely compelling that people can believe in. The emotion, the tension, and the way both of them carried themselves added a lot of weight to their confrontation and made the story feel important. AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura’s material was also very nice, and it did a good job of building interest for their upcoming match. The way they interacted and the history they carry into any encounter makes their match tomorrow feel like a big deal, and I’m actually pretty excited to see how it plays out. Overall, SmackDown has been 4/4 this year in terms of delivering consistent television. Each episode has felt purposeful, with solid storytelling, strong in‑ring action, and character work that makes you want to tune in again. If they keep this up, it’s going to be a very strong year for the brand.

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

The Opening Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Ilja Dragunov in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: **** — This was the Match of the Night, and I thought this match was good, but not like their match in December. They went to war, though, and I love the chemistry these two have; they're definitely wrestling soulmates. What I didn't like was The Miz being involved and costing Ilja Dragunov his chance at regaining the WWE US Title, like, why are we getting a The Miz feud with Ilja Dragunov? Carmelo Hayes wasn't happy afterwards as he noticed The Miz played his way into him winning, which Carmelo Hayes was very much frustrated about. But these WWE US Open Challenges are awesome, and I can't wait to see who answers Carmelo Hayes next week on SmackDown.

The 2nd Match: Jade Cargill vs. Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre) in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: N/A — This was an obvious squash match, and Jade Cargill made quick work of Chelsea Green, but afterwards another confrontation with Jordynne Grace, as she told Jade Cargill she’ll enter the Royal Rumble, and when she wins, she coming after Jade Cargill.

The 3rd Match: The Wyatt Sicks (Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy) (with Erick Rowan, Nikki Cross & Uncle Howdy) (c) vs. MFT (Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga) (with JC Mateo, Talla Tonga & Tonga Loa) in a WWE Tag Team Title Match | The Match Rating: **.25 — This wasn't a good title match; this match was very boring, and the drama wasn't even all that. The Wyatt Sicks had one of the worst title reigns in recent memory. I do like the stable, but their booking for the titles didn't do any justice to them. Now that the MFT are champions, I hope some Tag Teams like the Street Profits and Motor City come back to chase the WWE Tag Team Titles. Now, for the Wyatt Sicks, I don't know what's next for them after this MFT feud because there's only so much you can do with this stable.

The 4th Match: Nathan Frazer (with Axiom) vs. Johnny Gargano (with Candice LeRae) in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: ***.50 — This was a very cool match. Axiom and Nathan Frazer are in a feud with Johnny Gargano over the fact that he has the Axiom mask. The in-ring action was a sorta fast-paced match, but I did like the spot where Nathan Frazer did a Moonsault Springboard into a superkick that was sick. But my issue is that they all could be doing bigger things, but this very filler story of them chasing a mask is pointless because what is the end goal? Axiom gets his mask, and the story ends? Can it end in Axiom revealing he's A-Kid? That can be something, a Mask vs. Mask Match or something, but they all could be doing bigger things.

The 5th Match: 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 Triple Threat Tag Team Match | The Match Rating: *.75 — This was a very boring Triple Threat Tag Team No. 1 Contender's Match. Giulia isn't the same person she was in NXT. They've watered her down, and it's very evident; there were some botches, and the ending was probably the only good thing from this match. I'm happy that Giulia and Kiana James won and will face whoever wins at WWE Saturday Night Main Event. But I please WWE allow Giulia to wrestle like herself and don't water someone down who's very good at what she does.

The Main Event Match: Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: N/A — This was an average Main Event. I knew Sami Zayn was going to intervene and end the match-up. But Trick Williams has improved a lot in the ring; it’s something everyone has been noticing, and I'm very happy for him. Damian Priest was doing a good job with Trick Williams, and they had some formidable chemistry, but the ending of the match was Sami Zayn attacking Trick Williams, which ensued more chaos between Damian Priest and Sami Zayn. I'm very happy that Trick Williams is in the spot he's in. He's a star, and can't wait to see what they do with him for WrestleMania.

The January 23rd WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match of the Night: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Ilja Dragunov in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: ****

The January 23rd Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Episode Grade: 6.50/10 (C+) — This was a good episode from a storytelling standpoint, and I did enjoy the Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov Match as I thought this was the best match of the night. Cody Rhodes & Jacob Fatu had an excellent segment that felt raw and real; that’s compelling, something people can believe. AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura’s stuff was very nice, and I’m kinda excited for their match tomorrow. SmackDown has been 4/4 this year in terms of actual consistent television. They keep it up.

Next Week WWE Friday Night SmackDown, January 30th Episode in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — The Announced Matches & Segments:

1. Matt Cardona vs. Kit Wilson in a Singles Match.