WWE SmackDown Results, Highlights and Key Moments for January 2, 2026

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown, airing January 2, 2026, promises an action-packed night live from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The show sees Aleister Black face Damian Priest in an Ambulance Match. Plus, Alexa Bliss, “The Queen” Charlotte Flair and RHIYO (“The Eradicator” Rhea Ripley and “The Genius Of The Sky” IYO SKY) will take on WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors (“The Empress of Tomorrow” Asuka and “The Pirate Princess” Kairi Sane), “The Irresistible Force” Nia Jax and “The Boujee Bully” Lash Legend in an 8-Woman Tag Team Match.

The show kicks off at 8:00 PM ET on the USA Network and is available for international fans on streaming platforms like Netflix. Ringside News will provide live, match-by-match updates and highlights throughout the night. Stay tuned to this page, refresh for the latest results as the action unfolds, and join the conversation in the comments below!

WWE SmackDown Results (1/2/26): Live Match Updates and Highlights

The show opens up with Michael Cole welcoming us while we get a shot of the host venue. We then get a video package looking at the feud between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes.

We then see Cody Rhodes, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, the Kabuki Warriors, Damian Priest, Aleister Black and Zelina Black entering the arena.

We then head inside the arena, where Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome everyone to the show but we hear The Miz. The Miz is at ringside and he says that they are not moving on to 2026 and that he is sick of hearing happy new year. Miz then gets in the ring and he says they are not moving on until he airs his problems of last year. Miz then says he asked for one match in John Cena’s retirement tour. Miz then says he should have been the one to tap John Cena out, instead Cena is smiling, riding in the sunset and he is stuck in Buffalo. Miz then says the second thing is he did something rare in this business and that is he offered his guidance to all the young, up and coming superstars but they were ungrateful and entitled. Miz then says respect is not requested, it’s expected and not just from the rookies but from everyone.

Miz then says he was passed over on a movie and the fourth thing is not only did he who shall not be named and his good time buddies ruin his SmackDown, he brought back a nick name, a very untrue nick name. The fans then chant tiny balls. Miz then says this will not become a thing again and there is a silver lining. Miz then says we are in 2026 and John Cena is gone. Miz then says there is a new face of WWE and unlike the city, he actually wins Championships. Miz then says he is the most decorated WWE superstar and that means he is the face of WWE. Miz then says he is the gateway for the company and he is the locker room leader. Miz then says he is the adult in the room filled with spoiled little brats.

Randy Orton’s music then hits and he makes his way down to the ring as Miz is smiling. The fans then chant Randy and Miz tells the fans that Orton is back and to let him hear it. The fans then chant RKO and Miz says not him. Miz then tells Orton that it’s good to have him back and they fist bump. Miz then says as he was saying, they are the adults in the room, they are the locker room leaders, they are the gateways to the company and they could be Miz KO. Orton then looks at Miz and the fans. Orton then hits Miz with an RKO and he points his finger. Orton then gets Miz up, tells him happy new year and hits him with another RKO. Orton then climbs the top rope and his music hits.

We then see Asuka and Kairi Sane in the back and Nia Jax and Lash Legend show up. Nia says even though they beat them, teaming up is a little difficult. Lash then says that will be worth it when they help them win tonight. Nia then says they can owe them a shot at the tag titles. Asuka then laughs and screams. She then says she will be happy to owe them big. Asuka then says they will keep the titles on Monday and they can face them any time. Kairi then tells them they need to be ready for the Kabuki Warriors and Asuka yells at Kairi.

IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss then make their way down to the ring for the next match of the night and Lash Legend, Nia Jax and The Kabuki Warriors follow.

We then see Randy Orton in the back and Cody Rhodes welcomes him back. Randy then tells Cody out of respect, once you beat Drew next week, he is coming after the title. Nick Aldis then tells Cody that Drew will be here for the stipulations for next week’s match. He then tells Cody not to let Drew get under his skin. He then reminds Cody of what happens if he touches Drew. Cody then tells Nick it won’t happen.

8-Woman Tag Team Match: Alexa Bliss, “The Queen” Charlotte Flair and RHIYO (“The Eradicator” Rhea Ripley and “The Genius Of The Sky” IYO SKY) vs. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors (“The Empress of Tomorrow” Asuka and “The Pirate Princess” Kairi Sane), “The Irresistible Force” Nia Jax and “The Boujee Bully” Lash Legend

The match starts off with Lash, Nia, Asuka and Kairi attacking their opponents and it is down to Asuka and Rhea. Asuka then hits a series of kicks, including Kawada kicks. Rhea then blocks a kick and misses a clothesline. Asuka then misses a back fist and Rhea misses a round kick. Rhea then drop kicks Asuka and sends Kairi to the floor. Alexa then tags in and hits a cannonball onto Asuka and Kairi. Alexa then sends Asuka into the turnbuckles and Alexa hits a kick. Kairi then drops Alexa from the turnbuckles to the mat when Asuka distracts the referee. Asuka then hits some forearms. Kairi then tags in and she kicks Alexa and follows it up with a drop kick for a near fall. Nia then tags in and she head butts Alexa.

Nia and Lash then choke Alexa in the corner. Lash then tags in and she slams Alexa and hits a splash for a near fall. Lash then cinches in a reverse chin lock. Alexa then hits some punches, but Lash responds with a forearm. Lash then cinches in a wrist lock and she lifts Alexa in the air. Lash then hits a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Lash then cinches in an arm bar. Nia then tags in and she knocks IYO to the floor. Alexa then hits a kick on Nia and Lash goes over the top rope and to the floor. Alexa then hits a tornado DDT and both women are down. Flair then tags in and she goes up top and hits a cross body on Lash and Nia. Flair then hits some chops on Lash and Nia. Flair then hits a kick on Nia and she hits a walkover clothesline on Lash. Flair then hits a round kick and a Natural Selection on Nia. Flair then goes up top and she sets up for a moonsault and hits it for a near fall.

Flair then kicks Asuka off the apron. Nia then hits an Irish whip and Flair hits a Flair Flip and kick on Lash on the apron and a kick to Nia. Nia then blocks a slingshot rollup and gets a near fall. Nia then hits a head butt and Asuka tags in. Flair then gets a rollup for a near fall. Flair then goes for the figure four and locks it in. Flair then bridges and Kairi hits an elbow drop to break up the hold. Alexa is then sent to the floor by Sane and Sane follows. IYO then tags in and hits a victory roll and a double stop. IYO then drops Sane’s arm on the top rope and IYO goes up top and hits a double missile drop kick. IYO then flips around. IYO then cinches in a side head lock and Rhea is pulled off the apron by Nia to prevent the tag. Asuka then hits a round kick to IYO. Lash then tags in and Asuka misses a running hip in the ropes. IYO then hits a springboard move that is met with a boot for a near fall.

Lash then hits an Irish whip and she cinches in a front face lock. Nia then tags in and Lash Irish whips IYO into a body block from Nia. Nia then uses her rear end to add pressure to IYO in the ropes and Lash slaps her. Nia then hits a slam and Lash tags in. Lash then hits some forearms across the chest while Nia holds her. Nia then hits a side slam and Lash gets a near fall. IYO then hits some elbows, but Lash sends IYO to the mat. Nia then tags in and Nia hits a splash. Lash then follows it up with a splash of her own. Nia then gets a near fall. Nia then cinches in a chin lock and she sends IYO to the mat.

Asuka then tags in and she kicks IYO in the corner. Asuka then hits another kick. Asuka then hits a running forearm in the corner. Asuka then hits some forearms to IYO and Sane tags in. Asuka then hits a CodeBreaker and Sane hits a neck breaker. Asuka then knocks Alexa off the apron, but IYO hits a flapjack. Rhea then tags in and she clotheslines Sane and hits a thrust kick on Asuka. Rhea then hits short arm clotheslines on Sane. Rhea then sends Sane into Asuka and drives Sane face first into the mat. Rhea then hits a drop kick. Rhea then goes for a Rip Tide and Asuka distracts the referee and Nia sneaks into the ring for a clothesline. Flair then hits a kick to Nia. Asuka then hits a kick to Flair. Alexa then hits a Sister Abigail. Lash then hits a punch. Rhea then hits a kick. Rhea then catches Sane off the turnbuckles and follows it up with a head butt and a Rip Tide. IYO then tags in and she hits the moonsault for the win.

The winners of the 8-Woman Tag Team Match, Alexa Bliss, “The Queen” Charlotte Flair and RHIYO (“The Eradicator” Rhea Ripley and “The Genius Of The Sky” IYO SKY)!

We then head to the back, where Nick Aldis says he has big plans for SmackDown in 2026 and he wants Jordynne Grace to be part of it. Chelsea Green then shows up and says she cannot go out there because it is too cold. Nick then introduces Green to Grace and Green tells her that they have something to talk about. Green then says she cannot go out there because of the ending of Stranger Things. She then says she will be the greatest first and final U.S. Champion. Nick then suggests that she be a fighting champion. Chelsea then says she is fighting online. Nick then suggests impeaching her and stripping her of the title. Chelsea then storms out.

Kit Wilson then makes his way down to the ring and he lets us know who he is and he says he is redefining masculinity. Kit then says this is the home of the most toxic sports fans. Kit then mentions the Bills fans. Kit then calls them toxic. Matt Cardona then makes his way down to the ring.

Singles Match: Kit Wilson vs. Matt Cardona

The match starts off with Kit hitting a flying uppercut and some punches in the corner. Kit then hits a drop kick and he spins and poses and gyrates. Matt then hits a clothesline and he sends Kit into the turnbuckles. Matt then hits some kicks and a forearm into the corner. Matt then hits a flapjack and a clothesline that sends Kit over the top rope and to the floor. Matt then hits a drop kick through the ropes. Matt then sends Kit back into the ring and Matt hits a kick when Kit misses a shoulder. Matt then hits a clothesline into the corner followed by punches. Kit then kicks Matt in the back of the leg and Matt falls to the mat. Kit then hits some elbow drops and he gets a near fall. Kit then hits some punches to Matt. Kit then hits a kick and a punch.

Kit then puts Matt on the turnbuckles and punches him. Matt then pushes Kit away and hits a missile drop kick. Matt then hits a back elbow and a clothesline. Matt then hits a face plant. Matt then hits some forearms in the corner and a boot. Matt then sets up for a Tiger Bomb and hits it for a near fall. Kit then kicks Matt away and he sends Matt into the turnbuckles. Kit then hits a Tourniquet for a near fall. Kit then goes for an uppercut into the corner, but is met with knees. Matt then hits a Rough Ryder for the win.

The winner of the Singles Match, Matt Cardona!

We then head to the back, where Cathy Kelley is with Damian Priest. She asks about 2025 and his rivalry with Aleister Black. She also asks what will it take to close this rivalry. Priest says it has been six months that he has been going to war with him. Priest then says enough is enough and it ends tonight. Priest then says for half a year Black tried to change him and to break him. Priest then says Black is not his creator. Priest then says Black doesn’t tell him what to do. Priest then says Black has woken something inside that he cannot understand. Priest then says he will whoop Black’s ass all over the arena and put him in an ambulance. Priest then says Black will fade to black.

We then see the Wyatt Sicks and Bo Dallas cuts a promo. Bo asks what is the meaning of family Solo. Bo then says that is an answer you have been searching for since you were exiled from your true bloodline. Bo then says you claim that they are not a family. Bo then says you haven’t taken the time to comprehend the force you are up against. Bo then says you mock what you do not understand. Bo then says our family is not made up of just them. Bo then says our family is filled with millions of fireflies around the world. Bo then says always remember. Bo then tells Solo it is time to chop down your family tree at the root. Bo then says when the dust settles, we will be the ones.

Sami Zayn then makes his way down to the ring. Zayn starts off by saying he hasn’t been around the last couple of weeks and it feels good to be back. Zayn then says he got to do something recently that was pretty profound, he got to sit and enjoy the show like everyone. Zayn then says he got to sit in the front row and watch John Cena’s last match with his son. Zayn then says it hit him in a way that he didn’t expect. Zayn then says they introduced Cena, the match starts and his son turns to him and asked him why they call Cena the last seen 17. Zayn then explains that it’s because Cena won the title 17 times and his son asks him how many times he won it. Zayn then says he had to tell him zero and his son asked him why. Zayn then says he didn’t really have an answer and he understands why it would be confusing for his son. Zayn then says his son has watched him in the ring every week with Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins and John Cena. Zayn then says they all have championships. Zayn then says he has brought championships, but his son does not understand why the championship is missing.

Zayn then says he is not here to talk about it, he is here to do it. Zayn then says 2026 is here and he is coming for the WWE Championship. Trick Williams then makes his way down to the ring. Trick then does the Lash Alert Alarm before speaking. Trick then says he has finally arrived. Trick then tells Sami Zayn they have not been formally introduced and he runs through his nicknames. Trick then says he is the most athletic, most entertaining and most dangerous person. Trick then says he is here for one reason. Trick then says Nick Aldis called him and told him that they needed him on SmackDown to add what he can bring to the brand. Trick then tells Sami he isn’t done. Trick then says he can take off his coat and his shades and he is still six foot five and 250 pounds. Trick then says they need someone who can challenge for the title and looks like a champion. Trick then says he is here to be champion.

Trick then says they are not alike. Trick then says he won’t take 20 years to get here and he won’t almost get the job done. Zayn then asks Trick if he is done. Zayn then says Trick is right. Zayn then says he has the tools. Zayn then says you have yet to be humbled. Zayn then says are you the first to look good and say that they are going to cut the line to the top. Zayn then says you aren’t the first to look down at him. Zayn then says he has no problem teaching Trick a lesson or two and how to be humbled. Zayn then drops the microphone and leaves the ring.

We then look back at Carmelo Hayes beating Ilja Dragunov for the United States Championship. We then see Carmelo walking in the back and Ilja stops him and wishes him a Happy New Year. Ilja then says he wanted to face the best version of the best last week. Ilja then says you gave that to him. Ilja then says while the outcome wasn’t what he expected or wanted, there are worse things in life than losing to him. Ilja then says it isn’t the last time. Ilja then asks Hayes if he plans to continue the challenge. Hayes then says when he puts Johnny’s jersey in the rafters, he will continue. Hayes then stops to talk to Miz and says this wouldn’t have been possible without him. He then thanks Miz. Hayes then thanks Miz for leaving him alone because he has been so much better.

We then see Nick Aldis with Rey Fenix and Trick Williams interrupts and talks about being disrespected. Rey then says the new guy has a lot to learn about respect. Trick then yells at Rey. Nick then says Rey and Sami are right. Nick then says next week you make your debut against Rey Fenix. Trick then says that is what he wants.

WWE United States Championship Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. #DIY’s Johnny Gargano

The match starts off with Hayes punching Johnny after Johnny tries to attack him when he enters the ring. Hayes then hits a drop kick. Hayes then hits some punches and shoulders in the corner. Hayes then hits an Irish whip and a forearm into the corner. Hayes then hits a leg drop. Hayes then hits an Irish whip, but Johnny floats over and gets a rollup and hits a rolling kick. Johnny then hits some chops. Hayes then pushes Johnny face first into the mat and hits a knee on Johnny. Hayes then sets up for a dive, but Johnny pulls Candice in the way. Johnny then hits a slingshot spear and some punches. Johnny then hits a pescado.

Johnny then chops Hayes against the ringside barrier and they exchange punches. Johnny then hits a punch and he chokes Hayes in the ropes. The referee then stops Johnny and Candice jumps in to choke Hayes. Johnny then hits a neck breaker and he gets a near fall. Johnny then hits some punches in the corner and he chokes Hayes. Candice then almost gets caught choking Hayes in the corner, but she sees the referee looking. Hayes then hits some chops and punches. Johnny then hits a back elbow and he rakes the eyes with his boots. Johnny then cinches in a rear chin lock.

Johnny then cinches in a Cobra Clutch. Hayes then hits some punches and he gets out of the hold. Hayes then hits a chop. Johnny then hits a tornado flatliner off the turnbuckles for a near fall. Johnny then kicks Hayes in the head. Hayes then blocks a kick and Hayes hits some punches and chops. Hayes then hits a springboard clothesline followed by a satellite face buster. Johnny then escapes a suplex, but Hayes hits an elbow. Hayes then puts Johnny in the ropes and he kicks Johnny. Hayes then hits a Fade Away and Johnny goes to the floor. Hayes then hits a flip dive and he sends Johnny back into the ring. Hayes then goes up top and he hits a frog splash for a near fall.

Hayes then hits a clothesline and he goes to the turnbuckles. Hayes is then crotched by Johnny and he holds the legs. Johnny then hits some chops and slaps. Johnny then goes for a Super Air Raid Crash, but Hayes counters and goes for a sunset flip power bomb and Johnny stops him. Hayes then goes for a superplex, but Johnny blocks it and he gets a near fall. Hayes then blocks a lawn dart and an O’Connor Roll. Hayes then hits a super kick and a springboard DDT for a near fall.

Matches & Key Moments Scheduled for WWE SmackDown on January 2, 2026

• Ambulance Match: Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest
• 8-Woman Tag Team Match: Alexa Bliss, “The Queen” Charlotte Flair and RHIYO (“The Eradicator” Rhea Ripley and “The Genius Of The Sky” IYO SKY) vs. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors (“The Empress of Tomorrow” Asuka and “The Pirate Princess” Kairi Sane), “The Irresistible Force” Nia Jax and “The Boujee Bully” Lash Legend
• Non-Title Match: WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill vs. Michin
• WWE Women’s United States Championship Match: AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green (c) vs. “The Beautiful Madness” Giulia
• Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes will appear
• “The Scottish Warrior” Drew McIntyre will reveal the stipulations for his match with Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes