1/16 WWE SmackDown Live Results – Welcome to WrestlingAttitude’s coverage of WWE SmackDown on January 16, from the OVO Arena Wembley in London, England.
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.
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 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.
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.
Drew says he prayed for this and it happened. He says it has been a few rough years in the UK, but if anyone can do it is his him. He says the love he has received since he won has been great. He says he wants to say to each and every one of you out there… screw you.
He isn’t doing the bad guy wrestler bit, he says screw you. When he got fired, where were you? You want to jump on the bandwagon now, 99% of you weren’t there. When Roman Reigns screwed him over, where were you? When CM Punk was screwing him over, you were cheering for Roman and doing that YEET. When Cody and his referees screwed him, where was the hashtag. The only person he needs to thank is himself. Drew thanks himself. You should chant ‘Thank you Drew’.
There is one person he needs to address, the former . . . he knows it cuts like a knife every time he says FORMER champion. He says he knows Cody is preparing for getting a rematch. He put a clause in the contract. There is no rematch. You have to work your way back up. The vanilla QB1 era is over. You have to deal with the dangerous and unpredictable Drew McIntyre era.
Randy Orton’s music plays.
Drew asks Randy if he is here to congratulate him.
Randy looks around and he tells Drew and everyone in London know that they do not like each other one bit. He is not out here to congratulate him. He is here to remind Drew that a few months ago, you had the chance to kick his head through the announce table, and you declined, so . . . when he gets the opportunity to return the favor, he will not hesitate. He beat Drew for the title before and he will do it again thanks to the three most dangerous letters, R…K…O!
Jacob Fatu’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Drew wants Fatu to slow down and Fatu punches Drew and they go to the floor. Fatu sends Drew into the announce table but Drew sends Fatu into the ring post. Drew tries to go over the ringside barrier and Fatu stops him. Drew with an elbow and Fatu follows him.
Miz comes up from behind and hits a Skull Crushing Finale.
We go to commercial.
WWE Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match Qualifier: Randy Orton vs. The Miz
The match is joined in progress and Miz with punches and a DDT for a near fall. Randy goes to the floor and Orton with a thumb to the eyes. Orton goes for a back drop driver but Miz lands on his feet. Miz with a back drop driver to Randy on the announce table. Miz with a kick to Orton when they return to the ring. Miz with punches but Orton with a punch. They go back and forth with Orton gaining the advantage. Miz with an Irish whip and Miz sets for an Awesome Clothesline so Orton with a clothesline. Orton with the second clothesline. Orton ducks a clothesline and hits a power slam. Orton goes for the IEDDT but Miz escapes and goes to the floor. Orton with a kick and he gives Miz a back drop driver onto the announce table. Orton goes for a second one and hits it. The crowd is not satisfied and Oton obliges with another one.
Orton sends Miz back into the ring and Orton stops Miz on the apron. Orton sets for the IEDDT and hits it. Randy twists to the mat and sets for the push ups. Miz counters with a Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall. Miz sets for another one but Orton with a snap mare and Miz escapes an RKO and gets a near fall with a rollup. Orton with an RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
Backstage:
Drew hugs his title belt as he walks through the back until Ilja Dragunov stops him, saying it’s nice to finally speak face to face and declaring that he will beat Sami, move one step closer to the championship, and reminding Drew that he won a title on his first night back because he doesn’t fight like a sane man, to which Drew responds that he doesn’t care, saying he’s already being chased by a madman anyway, promising he’ll see Ilja at the Rumble if Ilja wins, and adding that while he didn’t knock out Jacob’s teeth, he will knock out Ilja’s, before the show cuts to commercial.
We Hear from The Wyatt Sicks
Howdy asks Solo if he thinks he stole their light, but you have inherited what it means. The lantern was never a weapon. We carried it in the dark so the dark doesn’t carry us. It does not belong in the hands of someone who believes taking it is more than its purpose. Howdy says it will come back to them. They will not rest until it is over.
Backstage:
Alexa is backstage when Charlotte Flair approaches, and Alexa admits that last week sucked, saying she lost after Nia Jax and Lash Legend got into her head, leaving her feeling alone, before asking Charlotte directly if she was really sick. Charlotte confirms that she was sick and fires back by asking Alexa if she knows how many title opportunities she personally gave up for their team. The two then ask each other if they truly have one another’s backs, but the moment is interrupted when Lash and Nia step in, with Nia calling Alexa manipulative and saying she always plays the victim. Charlotte shuts them down immediately, saying she doesn’t trust them and warning that they won’t like her response if they try to give her advice, ending the tense exchange on a sharp note.
Back to commercial.
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair vs. Kiana James and Giulia
James and Alexa start things off. Kiana pushes Alexa and Alexa slaps Kiana. Alexa with another slap when Kiana misses and Alexa with more strikes and a drop kick. iana iwht a knee to the midsection followed by a suplex. Flair tags in and she applies a waist lock. Kiana with a back elbow. Flair sends Kiana into the turnbuckles but Kiana with an uppercut. Kiana iwth a super kick but Flair with a thrust kick. Alexa tags in and Alexa kicks Kiana with help from Flair. Giulia tags in and Alexa punches Kiana. Giulia with a drop kick. Giulia tosses Alexa by the hair and she kicks Alexa and chokes her in the corner. Kiana tags in and she kicks Alexa.
Kiana with an elbow to the back ot the head. Kiana with a hard Irish whip. Kiana sends Alexa into the turnbuckles and Giulia tags in. Giulia stretches Alexa in the ropes. Giulia with a drop kick to the back and Kiana with a boot from the apron. GIulia with an elbow drop for a near fall. Giulia with kicks and head butts. Kiana tags in and she kicks Alexa. Kiana with a forearm to knock Flair off the apron and then she hits a suplex on Alexa for a near fall. Kiana gets Alexa up but Alexa counters with a sunset flip for a near fall. Kiana catches Alexa to stop her from making the tag and she runs Alexa into the turnbuckles and follows with back handsprings and a shoulder into the corner. James with a boot and Giulia with a missile drop kick for a near fall.
Giulia gets another near fall. Kiana tags in and Giulia sends Alexa into the turnbuckles and Giulia misses a shoulder. Kiana goes to the floor when Alexa moves. Kiana stops Alexa from making the tag but Alexa with a kick and Flair tags in. Flair with shoulder tackles and chops. Flair with chops to Kiana and Giulia. Flair with a walk over clothesline. Flair with a Flair flip and kicks to Giulia and Kiana. Flair goes up top and hits a cross body for a near fall. Flair runs into a boot but Flair with a boot of her own. Flair walks over Kiana and Giulia stops Flair from going up for a moonsault. Kiana pulls Flair off. Kiana with a spine buster and Giulia tags in and connects with a knee for a near fall.
Kiana is sent to the floor by Alexa but KIana pulls Alexa to the floor. Giulia with kicks to the head and Flair avoids a round kick. Flair with a forearm. Giulia with a forearm. Flair with a boot to Giulia. James tags in and James with a knee to Flair. Alexa tags in and hits Sister Abigail for the three count.
WInners: Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair
After the match, Nia Jax attacks GIulia and sends her into the apron. Lash Legend and Nia go after Flair. Nia gingerly sends Flair shoulder first into the ring post. Giulia has some words for Nia and Kiana pulls her back and then holds her back.
We go to commercial.
We Hear from Solo Sikoa
Solo Sikoa tells Bo he is right. It is more than a lantern. He can see the fireflies across the world. They are now in his possession. Your legacy is in his hands. If you want the lantern back, you can put up the tag titles. Solo says he will take real good care of this and he will be with him when he takes out Damian Priest and brings the WWE title back to the family.
In the Arena:
Cody says it sounds a bit different and he says it is okay. If anything, it was becoming a bit episodic. He would come out, pound his fist three times, we say Whoa, then I come in the ring as champion and ask what do you want to talk about.
Cody says we will discuss Drew McIntyre. He said it was becoming episodic. He says he never mentioned why his podcast is named what it is or why he asks what do you want to talk about. He says he wanted the crowd to be part of things. Cody says maybe he got used to episodic and he did not see ways he could lose. Or, is Drew that good?
Cody can ask himself. What do Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, and Hulk Hogan have in common? They are the only ones who went back to back at the Rumble. Only one did it three in a row. Cody says in a city that means a great deal to him where he wrestled for What Culture Pro Wrestling and a city that deserves a Wrestlemania. Cody says that Drew said there is no rematch. He will do it the old fashioned way.
Cody says he is the first entrant in the Royal Rumble.
Cody asks what do you want to talk about. Cody brings up Jacob Fatu. Cody says he saw it in Jacob. Jacob knows what ‘receipt’ means. You have the biggest receipt that he is going to hand out. You can come out and collect it in the ring or he can find you and break it off in your ass.
Backstage:
Cathy Kelley is with Matt Cardona. She asks about his match against Trick Williams and trying to win the title. Matt says he was hoping to face his buddy but now he can face Drew. They go way back. Drew’s first match in WWE was against him. He had to rediscover himself like Cody and Drew did. He has not won the World Title yet, but that is his goal. He says he is back to be the champion.
Back to commercial.
WWE Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match Qualifier: Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams
They lock up and go to a stalemate. Trick pie faces Matt and Matt runs Trick into the turnbuckles. Matt with punches and Trick pie faces Matt. Matt with punches and forearms. Trick with a knee and slam. Trick with a shoulder tackle. Trick with a forearm to the back and he pie faces Matt again. Matt with a drop kick and a flatliner. Matt clotheslines Trick over the top rope to the floor. Matt with a drop kick through the ropes. Matt with a drop kick off the apron to Trick. Matt sends Trick back into the ring and Trick goes back to the floor. Matt grabs Trick by the hair but Trick trips Matt and pulls him to the floor. Trick sends Matt into the ringside barrier and gives him a flap jack onto the apron. Trick with punches and chops in the corner.
Trick with a flap jack and he chokes Matt in the ropes. Trick chokes Matt in the corner. Trick with an Irish whip and a neck breaker. Trick with a side head lock and Matt with punches. Trick with a jumping side kick for a near fall. Trick with punches. Trick with a reverse chin lock. Matt with a jaw breaker and Trick misses a bicycle kick. Trick with a kick and Matt with a kick. Matt blocks a kick and hits a cradle belly-to-back suplex. Matt with forearms in the corner and he sets for the Woo Woo Woo Boot in the corner. Matt with a Zig Zag for a near fall. Matt sets for a Tiger Driver but Trick with a back body drop and Matt counters into a sunset flip. Trick is sent into the turnbuckle and Matt sets for the Woo Woo Woo boot and Trick goes to the floor to avoid it. Matt with a drop kick through the ropes.
Trick brings Matt back into the ring and he hits a cyclone kick for a near fall. Trick goes for a uranage but Matt counters with a DDT. Matt misess a Rough Ryder but he hits Trick with a knee. Trick with a POUNCE followed by a jumping knee for the three count.
Winner: Trick Williams
After the match, Kit Wilson makes his way to the ring and stops to stare at Trick before making his way into the ring. Kit punches Matt and sends him into the ring steps. Kit struts into the ring.
Backstage:
Cathy is with Damian Priest and she asks about his match tonight. Priest says he has been talking about Drew all day. Tonight is about Solo. Facing Solo isn’t an issue. Is it going to be one on one? In London, he won Money in the Bank. Tonight, if he has to do one versus all, he will do it again. He has to do whatever it takes to get to Drew.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kit says you know he is right. There is a problem and he is the solution. You need reassurance and leadership. You need him.
Jacbo Fatu shows up behind Kit and while Kit gyrates, he turns around into a super kick from Fatu. Fatu with a back senton and a double jump moonsault. Fatu buffers in the ring as Kit disappears.
Fatu takes the mic and he tells Cody if you have something to say about him or to him, bring your punk ass out here now.
Cody’s music plays and he comes to the ring. Cody punches Fatu and Fatu punches back. They go back and forth. Fatu with shoulders in the corner and Cody with punhes. Security comes out as they prepare to be murder death killed by Fatu and Cody. Aldis stands in the ring between them and he warns them but Cody breaks free of his cluster and goes after Fatu.
We go to commercial.
– We are back and Cody Rhodes faces Jacob Fatu next week at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
WWE Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match Qualifier: Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
They lock up and Solo with a side head lock. Solo with a shoulder tackle that sends Priest into the ropes and Priest with a shoulder tackle. Solo with head butts and he punches Priest. Priest with a leaping back elbow. Priest with a kick and he sets for Razor’s Edge but Solo blocks it and punches Priest. Priest with a super kick and Solo goes to the floor. Priest sets for a running shoulder to Solo but he is stopped by the unpainted warriors. Priest misses a kick and gets caught in the ropes. Solo kicks Priest to the floor and Solo distracts the referee and Tama and Mateo take care of Priest. Solo sends Priest into the announce table. They return to the ring and Solo with head butts. They go back to the floor.
Solo sends Priest into the announce table. Priest with a flatliner onto the announce table. Priest with a forearm and he misses a rebound clothesline. Solo with a Samoan drop for a near fall. Solo punches Priest in the corner and he sets for the running hip and hits it. Solo with another running hip into the corner. Solo goes for a third hip but Priest gets up and hits a spinning heel kick. Priest and Solo return to their feet. They charge at each other in the middle of the ring and then they exchange punches. Priest boxes the ears and he kicks Solo. Priest with a rolling elbow but Solo with a head butt. Priest with a super kick and Solo with a super kick. Priest with two round kicks and a flying punch. Priest with an elbow into the corner and a leaping flatliner for a near fall. Talla crotches Priest on the turnbuckles and the referee sees Priest in pain, but did not see it so Talla is forced to the back. Priest escapes a Super Samoan Drop and Priest with Razor’s Edge for a near fall.
The straps come down for Priest and he sets for South of Heaven but Tama gets on the apron to distract the refeee. Loa distracts Priest. Solo misses a Samoan Spike but hits a uranage. Solo with a frog splash for a near fall.
We get a blipvert and the lights go out.
The lights come back o and Solo and priest are down while the Wyatts stand on the announce table behind the Solo Squad. They fight into the crowd. Howdy sends Mateo into security and then Solo sends Howdy into the announce table to maintain possession of the lantern.
Priest grabs Solo and hits South of Heaven for the three count.
Winner: Damian Priest
After the match, Howdy gets his lantern back but Talla Tonga with a boot to Howdy and the lantern is back in Solo’s possession.
Backstage:
Sami Zayn walks in the back and Drew stops him. He asks Sami if he remembers what he said last week. It is lucky you aren’t a betting man. Sami says a part of him wanted Drew to win. He is going to go out there to go to war against Ilja and he is going to win. Next week, he will win the Number One Contender’s match in his home town. They will meet again at the Rumble. Drew says he has beaten Sami 11 times and Sami has 0 wins. Nothing will change if you make it to the Royal Rumble.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Leon Slater for the Men’s United States Championship
They lock up and Hayes with a side head lock and take down. Leon with a head scissors and Hayes escapes. Leon with a side head lock take down and Hayes with a head scissors. Leon floats over on an Irish whip. Leon and Hayes get near falls. Hayes with a springboard clothesline and he chops Slater. Hayes with forearms and chops. Leon with a chop. Hayes with a kick and chop. Hayes appears to have hurt his knee when he flips over Leon. Hayes with a waist lock and Leon holds on to the ropes to avoid an O’Connor Roll. Leon wiht a kick. Leon with a handspring back elbow and Hayes goes to the floor. Leon with a pescado. Leon goes up top and he hits a cross body for a near fall.
Hayes pushes Leon away so he can regroup. Hayes with a waist lock and Leon with a standing switch and a body scissors and rollup for a near fall. Hayes with a back elbow. Hayes with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Hayes continues to check on his knee and the referee checks to see how Hayes is. Hayes goes to the turnbuckles to punch Leon. Hayes with a snap mare but Leon with a chop. Hayes with a shoulder from the apron and he leap frogs Leon and hits a drop kick after avoiding a clothesline. Hayes continues to hold his knee. Hayes sets for a suplex but Leon blocks it. Leon with a drop kick into the corner for a near fall.
Leon misses a springboard back elbow and Hayes misses a springboard clothesline. Leon with a springboard flip Side Russian Leg Sweep and both are down. Leon with chops. Hayes with a forearm and Leon with a forearm of his own. Leon with a boot to the head and Hayes avoids a kick to the back of the leg. Hayes with La Mistica and a twisting cutter for a near fall. Leon blocks First 48 and he goes for a Boston Crab. Hayes counters with an inside cradle for a near fall. Leon with a jumping side kick for a near fall. Leon goes up top and Hayes goes to the apron. Leon leaps over Hayes on the apron and Hayes with a chop. Leon gets Hayes on his shoulders but Hayes gets to his feet. Leon drops Hayes on the top rope. Hayes catches Leon off the ropes and gets a near fall with a sunset flip. Leon and Hayes go back and forth with near falls. Leon with a flip rana for a near fall.
Leon sends Hayes to the apron and Hayes falls to the floor. Leon with a twisting flip dive over the ring post onto Hayes. Leon goes up top and he misses the swanton 450. Hayes with First 48 and he gets a near fall. Hayes goes to the turnbuckles but he holds his knee. Leon stops Hayes and Leon with an uppercut. Leon sets for a superplex but Hayes counters with a super cutter for the three count.
Winner: Carmelo Hayes
Backstage:
Shinsuke Nakamura watches in the back and Tama Tonga shows up. Tama says that Nakamura had his chance and he blew it. When they take the tag titles, the US title is his. We go way back and this is your one and only warning. He tells Nakamura to stay out of his way.
Nakamura speaks to Tama in Japanese and he walks away.
Backstage:
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae walk in the back and he talks about how they got Axiom and Frazer last week. Axiom shows up and he tells Johnny to give him the mask back. Johnny says he doesn’t have the mask since he gave it to Candice. Johnny turns and sees another Axiom but it is Nathan Frazer. Frazer punches Johnny and tells him they are wrestling next week and then Axiom will get his mask back.
We are back and so is the Oba Femi video tease.
Chelsea Green vs. Jordynne Grace
They lock up and Grace sends Green to the mat. Green slaps Grace a few times and Grace wants more. Grace slaps Green and it staggers her. Grace with a spinebuster and she sets for a delayed vertical suplex and hits it. Grace gets a near fall. Grace gets Green up but Green gets back to her feet and she sends Grace into the turnbuckles and then curb stomps her into the turnbuckles. Alba with a kick to Grace from the floor. Green slaps Grace and sends her to the mat. Green with an Irish whip and misses a clothesline. Grace backs Green into the turnbuckles and then hits a short arm clothesline. Grace with a clothesline and a back elbow. Grace with a forearm and elbows in the corner. Green tries for a kick but Grace with a Stretch muffler suplex. Grace with Direct Effect and a jackknife cover fo the three count.
Winner: Jordynne Grace
After the match, Grace gets on the mic and she says hello to Jade. She says she was glad that Jade came out here to watch her. She wants Jade to know what is coming for her. Grace says if watching was enough. If you are tired of babysitting that title, then you should step into the ring right here and right now.
Jade gets on the apron and Chelsea Green goes after Grace but Grace moves and Green knocks Jade off the apron with a forearm. Grace holds the title belt and then tosses it to Jade.
Backstage:
Cathy is with Trick Williams and she asks about next week’s match. Trick says this is your warning. He is that dog. He looks like money and feels like money because that is what he is. He congratulates Randy Orton and Damian Priest and he says they are going to face the future. Damian Priest shows up and he says you are the guy who likes to do a lot of talking. Priest says he doesn’t. Priest says that they are both free on Friday and he will whoop that trick.
We go to commercial.
– Next week, there will be a Number One Contenders Triple Threat Match for the Women’s Tag Titles. The Wyatts face the MFTs for the tag titles. Trick Williams faces Damian Priest.
WWE Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match Qualifier: Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov
They exchange forearms and then they exchange chops until Ilja takes control. Ilja with a kick and Sami with a clothesline. Sami with chops and forearms and Ilja wants more. Ilja with forearms and Sami springboards over Sami but Ilja with a forearm. Ilja sends Sami into the turnbuckles and chops him. Ilja with a knee and boot in the corner. Ilja goes to the turnbuckles and hits a knee drop across the chest. Ilja goes back up and he misses Sami but rolls through. Sami with a suplex for a near fall. Sami with a few more near falls. Sami with a chop and forearm. Sami with more chops. Ilja with a knee to the head and a German suplex. Ilja holds on but Sami with a standing switch and a German suplex. Sami holds on and Ilja with a standing switch. They alternate standing switches until Ilja hits a German suplex. Ilja goes up top but Sami with a chop.
Sami sets for a superplex and Ilja with forearms. Sami with forearms and Sami hits the superplex. Sami with a front face lock but Ilja with a waist lock. Sami blocks a German suplex attempt. Ilja with elbows and a wrist clutch gutwrench suplex for a near fall. Illja with elbows to Sami’s head. Ilja with boots to the head. Ilja slaps Sami and Sami slaps back. They exchange slaps and then Sami hits a DDT for a near fall. Ilja tells Sami to hit him and Sami kicks Ilja against the ropes. Sami tries to go to the turnbuckles but Ilja grabs Sami by the ankle. Sami punches Ilja and Ilja starts to bleed above his eye. Sami goes up top and Ilja stops him. Ilja with a slap and he goes up top for a superplex. Sami with punches to try to stop Ilja. Sami with a sunset flip powr bomb and he hits it for a near fall. Sami sets for a Blue Thunder Bomb and Ilja blocks it.
Ilja escapes a Blue Thunder Bomb and Ilja hits Konstantin Special. Ilja with a missile drop kick for a near fall. Ilja sets for H Bomb but Sami gets his boot up and connects with Ilja. Sami goes for the exploder into the turnbuckles but Ilja blocks it and hits an enzuigiri. Ilja with a clothesline into the corner. Ilja with a second clothesline and then he sets for a third and he anticipates a Helluva Kick and Ilja drops down and Sami hits the turnbuckle. Ilja gets Sami up on the apron but Sami with elbows. Ilja with Torpedo Moscow on the apron and both fall to the floor. Sami barely beats the count and Ilja with a power bomb but he misses a back senton off the turnbuckles when Sami gets his knees up. Sami with an exploder into the turnbuckles and he sets for a Helluva Kick and connects for the three count.
Winner: Sami Zayn
After the match, Trick Williams with a Northern Lariat to Sami. Trick with a jumping knee to Sami.
We go to credits.
– Here is what’s in store for tonight’s show –
- Drew McIntyre celebrates his WWE Championship victory
- WWE Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match Qualifier: Randy Orton vs. The Miz
- WWE Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match Qualifier: Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
- WWE Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match Qualifier: Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams
- WWE Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match Qualifier: Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov
- Men’s United States Championship: Carmelo Hayes vs. TBD (Open Challenge)
1/16 WWE SmackDown Preview
The “Road to Royal Rumble” tour arrives in London, England, tonight as WWE SmackDown broadcasts from the OVO Arena Wembley. The show marks the homecoming of the only British WWE Champion in history, Drew McIntyre, who reclaimed the company’s top prize last Friday. McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes in a brutal Three Stages of Hell Match to become a three‑time world champion. While the “Scottish Warrior” is expected to receive a thunderous ovation, the looming threats of Rhodes and Jacob Fatu raise questions about whether his celebration will be uninterrupted.
McIntyre won’t have to wait long to learn who his first challenger will be. A tournament to determine the next No. 1 contender begins tonight with four high‑stakes singles matches. The winners will advance to a Fatal 4‑Way Match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24, where the next challenger for McIntyre’s title will be decided.
The qualifying matches feature a blend of decorated veterans and surging stars. Randy Orton faces The Miz in a clash between former WWE Champions. Miz famously cashed in Money in the Bank on Orton in 2010 to win his first world title and has recently declared himself the locker room leader following John Cena’s retirement. Orton, meanwhile, is chasing a path toward his 15th world championship.
Damian Priest meets Solo Sikoa in another qualifier. Priest is coming off a decisive Ambulance Match victory over Aleister Black and is eager to reenter the title picture. Sikoa, backed by his MFTs, continues his mission to seize control of SmackDown’s championships. Matt Cardona also enters the tournament as he faces Trick Williams. Cardona is pursuing Grand Slam status, while Williams — a two‑time NXT Champion and former TNA World Heavyweight Champion — aims to make a major statement on the main roster.
The final qualifier sees Sami Zayn take on Ilja Dragunov in a rematch from Dragunov’s shocking return, where he answered Zayn’s open challenge and captured the United States Championship. Zayn now seeks redemption and a route toward his first WWE Championship opportunity.
Carmelo Hayes will also defend the United States Championship in an open challenge tonight. After successful defenses against Johnny Gargano and Shinsuke Nakamura, Hayes has invited the best the UK has to offer. Rumors are swirling that TNA X‑Division Champion Leon Slater — who was pulled from this week’s TNA iMPACT debut on AMC — may be in London and ready to answer the call.
With McIntyre’s homecoming, a full slate of tournament qualifiers, and a potentially explosive open challenge, tonight’s SmackDown promises to be one of the most pivotal stops on the road to the Royal Rumble.
Stay tuned to WrestlingAttitude, WA.Com On Facebook, Twitter/X, Bluesky and Google News for more.
1/16 WWE SmackDown Live Results
