Spoiler: Opening for January 16 WWE SmackDown Revealed

The January 16, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown will open with a major spotlight on the new Undisputed WWE Champion.

According to PWInsider, Drew McIntyre is set to kick off tonight’s broadcast from the OVO Arena Wembley in London, England, as WWE’s European tour rolls on. This marks McIntyre’s first appearance on SmackDown since winning the Undisputed WWE Championship in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match. The added wrinkle? Jacob Fatu’s involvement in that match hasn’t gone unnoticed—many fans are anticipating a confrontation, possibly as early as the opening segment.

Full Lineup for WWE SmackDown – January 16, 2026

• Drew McIntyre Kicks Off SmackDown as Undisputed WWE Champion
• Carmelo Hayes’ United States Title Open Challenge
• #1 Contender Qualifiers for Saturday Night’s Main Event: Randy Orton vs. The Miz
• #1 Contender Qualifiers for Saturday Night’s Main Event: Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams
• #1 Contender Qualifiers for Saturday Night’s Main Event: Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
• #1 Contender Qualifiers for Saturday Night’s Main Event: Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov

Each qualifying match will send one superstar to a fatal four-way at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where the winner will earn a s

Be sure to tune in live and follow along with Ringside News for full play-by-play coverage over in our SmackDown results section.hot at McIntyre’s Undisputed WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble.