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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JANUARY 9, 2026
BERLIN, GERMANY AT UBER ARENA
AIRED ON DELAY ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of today 10,674 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 17,000 spectators when configured for concerts.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Chris Lansdell review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpostshow@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
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[HOUR ONE]
-Joe Tessitore introduced the show as they showed the exterior of the arena. Then they showed Drew McIntyre walking on a sidewalk as it snowed and crossing paths with fans. Then they showed Cody Rhodes in a back hall and some boos erupted. Carmelo Hayes was shown outside the arena, carrying his U.S. Title belt as Tessitore said he’d face a mystery challenger. They showed Nia Jax and Lash Legend next and then Alexa Bliss who was on her phone.
-They went to Tessitore and Wade Barrett at ringside. Barrett said Cody looked to him like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders while Drew looked “cocky as usual.” Tessitore noted the last hour would be commercial free for the main event.
-Randy Orton made his ring entrance. They showed a crowd noise meter as he walked out wearing a t-shirt that said, “RKO Everybody.” He was interrupted shortly into his promo by Trick Williams. Trick said, “A new star has arrived and his name is Trick Williams.” He said he is 6-foot-5, 250 pounds.” He added, “This isn’t 2006; this is 2026; let’s talk about it.” Orton said he’s 6-5, 270, five kids, “one smokin’ hot wife,” and he loves lemon chicken, but the matter that matters is how many world titles he has won – 14.
He told Trick he is oozing confidence and has the look of a star. He said he’s not sure why he chose to interrupt him, of all people, so he’s not sure Trick has the brains. Fans chanted, “RKO!” Trick said he acknowledges Orton is one of the greats. He said he’s out there for just one reason – to brush up against one of the greatest. “Let’s talk about it,” he said. He said he is there to put him on notice because 2026 is the year of Trick Williams, not The Viper. He said someone in NXT should have told him not to turn his back on The Viper. He said he’ll let it pass, but if it happens again, he’ll kick his ass. Trick threw down his mic and stepped toward Orton and knocked the mic out of his hand. Orton punched Trick and then delivered a draping DDT.
Miz entered the ring and attacked Orton as Orton was celebrating. Orton blocked a Skull Crushing Finale and then gave Miz an RKO. Orton celebrated as his music played and slapped hands with fans in the aisle. Then the lights went dark and out came Rey Fenix. Orton smiled and observed his entrance. [c]
(1) TRICK WILLIAMS vs. REY FENIX
The bell rang 21 minutes into the hour. Trick cut off a Rey rally at 2:00 with a kick to intercept him. Trick stayed in control including whipping Fenix into the ringside steps as they cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Fenix made a comeback but Trick lifted his boots as Fenix went for a top rope moonsault. He then scored a two count. He followed with a spinning pump kick for a two count. He landed a modified Bookend for a near fall. Rey made a comeback and sent Trick against the top rope. he then quickly ran the top rope and kicked Trick with his Adios Amigos. Rey leaped off the to rope, but Williams sidestepped up. Rey rolled him up, but Trick countered with his own roll-up for the win.
WINNER: Williams in 10:00.
-Byron Saxton interviewed Giulia and Kiana James. He asked what her IC Title win means to her. Giula said the title is back where it belongs. James said Giulia is an asset the brand hasn’t accounted for. She said soon she will dominate the entire market. Giulia then talked about facing Alexa Bliss later and called her a legend of the Women’s Division and she will make an example of her. Kiana said it’s nothing personal, it’s just necessary. Giulia made more guttural utterances like Asuka does.
-Tessitore plugged that they’d review the ambulance match next. [c]
-After some plugs, they aired clips of last Friday’s ambulance match.
-Saxton asked Priest how he is feeling and what his plans are for 2026. He said he battled Aleister Black for six months and they each won some battles, but he won the war last week. He said many are calling their shots at the WWE Title and he is adding his name. He said he wants to face someone he respects, Cody Rhodes. Drew walked in. Priest said perhaps he becomes champion tonight, and if that happens, maybe they get to another round. He told Drew to remind the world how his brains got scrambled the last time they were in the ring together. Priest walked away and then Saxton asked Drew for comments. Drew said emotions are high and he can only imagine the look on Cody’s face when he sees what’s in his hand. He held up a gold watch which he said is what his father pawned when he “blew the family fortune” to pay for Cody’s future. He said Cody’s future is that he’s going to get DQ’d in the first fall, and then all he needs is one more fall so then “finally, finally, finally” he will be WWE Champion.
-Bliss told Charlotte on the phone to rest and drink plenty of fluids. She said she didn’t know about her match tonight until today and she wasn’t trying to do a match without her. Nia Jax and Lash Legend walked in and said Charlotte is out sick to try to make it about herself. Bliss said that’s what she would do and that’s why she’s saying that. She said she had a match to get to. [c]
(2) GIULIA (w/Kiana James) vs. ALEXA BLISS – U.S. Title match
Barrett said Giulia is determined to make this reign one with higher impact than her prior one. The bell rang 52 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
James interfered on behalf of Giulia during the match including an elbow to the side of her head.
[HOUR TWO]
A minute later, as Bliss made a comeback and set up Sister Abigail, James distracted the ref. Bliss walked over to punch her, then climbed to the top rope. Lash shoved her off the top rope. Giulia then gave Bliss a Northern Lights for the win.
WINNER: Giulia in 9:00 to retain the U.S. Title.
-G.M. Nick Aldis officially welcomed Jordyn Grace to Smackdown. She thanked him. In walked Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre. She asked Aldis why she was talking to her and demanded a re-rematch for the U.S. Title. Aldis said he was in the middle of something. He told Green to be the first to welcome her. Green said that had nothing to do with request for a re-rematch. Fyre then mouthed off. Grace stepped up. Aldis said he was looking for a first opponent for Grave, so it’ll be Fyre. Kit Wilson then walked up to Aldis and said the toxicity continued to grow. He asked what he’ll do about it. Aldis said he had a valid point, so hold that thought. He then went into his office and slammed the door. Wilson said he’s toxic.
-Saxton welcomed Matt Cardona back after over five years. Hes aid it feels great to be back. He said when he first left, he had a chance to be bitter, disappear, or reinvent himself and bust his ass and do whatever it took to get back to WWE. He then saw Cody off to the side. Cardona said he’s not just back to be back, he’s back to win the WWE Title. Cody said when he’s done with Drew, they’ll talk. [c]
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett on camera. Barrett talked about Cody vs. Drew.
-A vignette aired with The Wyatt Sicks. Uncle Howdy responded to Solo’s comments with laughter and touted the Fireflies. He said it’s time to chop down his family tree.
(3) THE WYATT SICKS vs. SOLO SIKOA & THE MFTS
The bell rang 17 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break less than 2 minutes in. [c]
Solo and Howdy tagged in against each other at 9:00. Solo went for his Spike, but Howdy blocked it and landed a uranage. He set up a Sister Abigail. Tama Tonga tagged in. Howdy applied a Mandible Claw on J.C. Mateo. Solo distracted Howdy by threatening to break his lantern. Tama Tonga landed his running Cut Throat for the three count on Howdy.
WINNERS: Solo & MFTs in 10:00.
-Miz approached Carmelo Hayes and said he just talked to Aldis about earning a U.S. Title shot. Miz said he’ll become a three-time champion. Miz then asked Hayes if he saw Orton attack him earlier. He spooked Miz by pretending Orton was behind him. He said he’d see Miz later. Mi walked away. Hayes then told Ilya Dragunov he’d be honored to face him again. Dragunov said they’d do battle again, but he had an idea to present to Aldis that is different.
-Green and Fyre made their entrance. [c]
(4) ALBA FYRE vs. JORDYN GRACE
As Grace made her entrance, Barrett touted her resume and power. The bell rang 38 minutes into the hour. She overpowered Fyre and landed a Torture Rack bomb to win. Tessitore said she was impressive.
WINNER: Grace in 2:00.
-As Grace made her way up the aisle, Jade Cargill confronted her on the stage. Jade said if she thinks she’s special, she is on her show now “and I’m that bitch.” She dropped the mic. Tessitore said that was a mic drop anda. statement.
-Saxton interviewed Sami Zayn backstage. He asked him for his prediction on the main event. Sami said there’s a small part of him hoping Drew wins because he’s “famously the one person he’s never beaten.” He said beating him for the WWE Title sounds great. He said he’s a friend and a great guy and a great champion. He said he wants to test himself against the very best. He said as for who he thinks is actually going to win, after a pause, he said his money is on Cody. Some boos from the German fans. He said whoever wins, he’s waiting on the other side.
-Hayes made his entrance. [c]
-Nathan Fraser asked why he wasn’t wearing his gear. “Axiom” hit him, but then unmasked and revealed he was actually Johnny Gargano. The real Axiom chased Gargano and Candice LeRae away. He asked what happened to Fraser.
(5) CARMELO HAYES vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA – U.S. Title match
The bell rang 54 minutes into the hour. They cut to a double-box break at 5:00. [c/db]
[HOUR THREE]
Nakamura dominated after the break. Hayes eventually caught a Nakamura kick at 8:00. They cut to a double-box break at 10:00 during this “commercial-free hour of Raw.” [c/db]
Hayes avoided a charging Nakamura and then leaped onto Nakamura at ringside. Nakamura avoided a frog splash off the top rope and then applied a kneebar. Hayes cried out in pain. Hayes reached the bottom rope to force a break. They battled back and forth for a couple minutes. Haes blocked a Kinshasa with a First 48 and then leaped off the top rope with a legdrop to the back of Nakamura’s neck, his Nothing But Net, and got the three count.
WINNER: Hayes in 16:00 to retain the U.S. Title.
-Backstage, Saxton approached Cody. He apologized for interrupting his solitude. Cody stood and said there’s no solitude for the WWE Champion. He said Saxton is doing a great job. He said he saw Drew with his father’s watch and he tells people all the time, when you talk about his father, as unnecessary as it is, even more so it’s lazy. He said he makes the comeback, and most of the guys don’t figure that out until they look at the lights. He said after tonight, all eyes are on the Royal Rumble and then after that, WrestleMania. He eyed his belt.
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett. Tessitore “this final hour is commercial-free” even though they only had 45 minutes left. He threw to Aldis.
-Aldis made a statement to explain the match format.
-Tessitore plugged Smackdown’s line-up next week: Orton vs. Miz, Cardona vs. Trick, Priest vs. Solo, and Sami vs. Dragunov in a tournament to earn a slot in a Fatal Four-way to earn no. 1 contendership to the WWE Title.
-A video package aired on the history between Cody and Drew.
(4) CODY RHODES vs. DREW MCINTYYRE – Three Stages of Hell match for the WWE Title
Drew made his entrance. Then Cody. During formal ring introductions, boos were the primary response. He kissed his title belt and handed it to the referee. The bell rang 29 minutes into the hour. Cody knocked Drew down with a Bionic Elbow. Drew rolled to ringside. Cody choked him against a table at ringside. Drew reverse-whipped Cody into the ringside steps. Back in the ring, Drew gave Cody a kick to the crotch and the ref didn’t see it, as he was putting a turnbuckle pad back in place. Drew then hit Cody with a Claymore for a three count at 4:00.
WINNER: McIntyre in 4:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: What’re the odds the first fall would be much shorter than any typical one-on-one match?)
The second fall (“Stage Two”) started immediately with a Falls Count Anywhere format. Drew powerbombed Cody through a table at ringside for a near fall on the floor. They fought up the steps amongst fans. Cody bit Drew’s forehead as he took a photo with a fan’s phone. Drew said Cody had the second wind he desperately needed.
They brawled to the back briefly and then back to an area with a table and other equipment. Cody leaped of the balcony onto Drew on a tabvle and scored a mere two count at 11:00. They brawled back to ringside. Cody gave Drew a CrossRhodes on the announce desk and scored a three count.
WINNER: Cody at 14:00.
Next, Cody dragged Drew by his arms back into the ring as the cage lowered around them. Drew tried to escape through the door, but Cody grabbed him. Drew superplexed Cody off the top of the cage while he was standing on the top rope and scored a two count. Barrett called it “the most super of superplexes you’ll ever see.”
Drew landed a Future Shock DDT for a near fall at 21:00. Cody countered Drew and landed a CrossRhodes in center-ring for a two count. Drew and Cody went into a series of rapid-fire counters to each other with Cody eventually landing a snap powerslam, which Barrett compared to Orton, for a two count.
Cody stood behind Drew as he rose. He then delivered another CrossRhodes. He held on and set up another. Drew raked Cody’s eyes. He rammed Cody into the unprotected turnbuckle and then landed a Claymore for a dramatic near fall.
Drew climbed to the top of the cage. Cody grabbed his leg and then bit his calf. Cody then rammed Drew head into the cage and Drew fell to the mat. Cody then leaped backwards with a Cody Cutter for a near fall. “How! How! How!” exclaimed Tessitore. Barrett called it the greatest Cody Cutter he’s ever seen.
Cody began to scale the cage. Drew met him on the top rope. Cody rammed Drew into the cage. Drew then did it to Cody. They returned to the mat. Drew was about to crawl out of the door, but a masked man yanked the ref away and stared down Drew. He unmasked and revealed he was Jacob Fatu. He went after Drew. But then he went after Cody. Drew then dropped to the floor and won the match.
WINNER: McIntyre in 30:00 to capture the WWE Title.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Chris Lansdell review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpostshow@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
LINK TO BE A CALLER: https://streamyard.com/acnzjw99rt
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).
OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
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