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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JANUARY 16, 2026
LONDON, ENGLAND AT OVO ARENA
AIRED ON DELAY ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves
Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of today 9,644 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 12,500 spectators when configured for concerts.
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[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with a beautiful aerial view of London, England and then the exterior of the arena as fans were entering the arena earlier a Joe Tessitore introduced the show. They showed the arrivals or Randy Orton, Miz, Damien Priest, Solo Sikoa with his crew, Matt Cardona, Trick Williams, Ilja Dragunov, and Sami Zayn.
(Keller’s Analysis: These scenes are more interesting with different backgrounds with the wrestlers arriving to the arena with London in the background in a number of them. This served the purpose well of previewing four the qualifying matches for the Fatal Four-way next week on Saturday Night’s Main Event.)
-They went to ringside where Tessitore said they were changing things up at the desk this week and shook hands with Corey Graves.
-A video package aired on last week’s Three Stages of Hell match between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre.
-Drew McIntyre made his ring entrance with a row of bagpipe players on either side of the aisle as he walked out. Drew wore his newly won WWE Title belt around his waist. He leaned into the barricade as fans surrounded him and he smiled. He entered the ring and smiled as fans sang to him. They are 12 minutes into the show at this point.
“I prayed for this and it happened,” Drew said. A loud “You deserve it!” chant rang out. He said he knows it’s been a rough few years in the U.K., but if anyone can bring them together, it’s the first and only British WWE Champion. “Oh, Drew McIntyre!” sang the crowd. He said the love he’s been shown the past week has been incredible and getting cheered all across Europe has been amazing to experience. He said, “I want to say to each and everyone one of you out there, screw you,” he said. “This isn’t the bad guy wrestler bit.” He asked where they were when he was fired. He said when Roman Reigns and The Bloodline were screwing him over, there wasn’t an uprising. He said fans were doing the stupid “Yeet!” with Jey Uso and cheering C.M. Punk.
He said there was never a hashtag for him. He said the only person deserving of thanks and the only person who believed in him “is me.” He said they should chant, “Thank you, Drew!” Some fans did.
He said he needs to address the former champion, Cody Rhodes. He said it feels great to say “former.” He repeated it while leaning into the camera. Fans sang “Cody, Cody Rhodes!” Drew said he knows Cody and his team are trying to figure out when he’ll get a rematch. He said he had a clause added to the contract before their match which says there would be no rematch. He said he has to start at the bottom and work his way back up. “The Vanilla QB1 Era is over and the Dangerous, Unpredictable Drew McIntyre Era starts tonight.” Orton’s music interrupted him.
Orton walked to the ring as fans sang his entrance theme with enthusiasm. He said everyone knows they don’t like each other and he’s not there to congratulate him. He said he is there to remind him that a few months ago he had a chance to kick his head through the announce desk, but he declined, so he wanted to tell him that when he gets the opportunity, he won’t hesitate. He said he has defeated him before and he will again, courtesy of the three most dangerous letters in all of (pro wrestling), R-K-O!” (I don’t get why Orton still voluntarily uses that abhorrent Vince McMahon euphemism in his catch phase.)
Jacob Fatu then marched to the ring to his music. He attacked Drew. Drew fought back and managed to escape through the crowd. Orton watched him run, but then The Miz gave Orton a Skull Crushing Finale from behind. [c]
(1) THE MIZ vs. RANDY ORTON – Qualifying Match for Four-Way at SNME
Back from the break 26 minutes into the hour, Miz was beating on Orton at ringside. Graves said if Miz wins this, he’s one step closer to righting all the wrongs that come from people disrespecting him for years. Orton fought back, so Miz bailed out to ringside. Orton threw Miz back onto the ring apron and then landed a draping DDT. Orton set up an RKO, but Miz avoided it and landed a a Skull Crushing Finale for a two count. Orton fired back with an RKO seconds later for the win.
WINNER: Orton in around 6:00 to advance.
-The camera caught up to Drew who was clutching his title belt and seemed out of sorts. Ilja Dragunov approached him and said he will beat Sami Zayn tonight and be one step closer to getting the WWE Title. He said he doesn’t fight like a sane man. Drew said he didn’t care, but assured him he knocked out Jacob’s teeth and he’ll knock out his. [c]
-A video package showed highlight of the Solo & MFTs vs. Wyatt Sicks last week.
-A vignette aired where Bo Dallas said they think they stole a light, but they actually inherited the weight of what the lantern really means. He said it was never used as a weapon. “We carry it in the dark so the dark doesn’t carry us,” he said. He said taking it is more powerful than it’s true purpose and it will come back to them “like a moth to a flame.” He said they won’t rest until it’s home.
-They went to Graves and Tessitore at ringside who reacted to Bo’s words. Then they shifted to the Women’s Tag Team Division.
-Backstage, Alexa Bliss asked Charlotte in the parking garage if she was actually sick last week. Charlotte said she was throwing up. Charlotte said she turned down title opportunities because she put the team first. Bliss asked her to name two examples. Charlotte said, “That’s besides the point.” She told Alexa she is her person and she is sorry she was sick. Bliss walked away. In walked, Nia Jax and Lash Legend. Jax said Bliss made her feel guilty and then walked away like a victim. Charlotte said the next they give her unsolicited advice, they won’t like her response. She told Lash that she’s changed. She left. Jax told Lash she was just trying to be kind.
-Giulia and Kiana James made their ring entrance. [c]
-They showed Michael “Venom” Page at ringside.
(2) GIULIA & KIANA JAMES vs. ALEXA BLISS & CHARLOTTE FLAIR
Bliss and Charlotte made their entrance. The bell rang 49 minutes into the hour. Less than 2 minutes into the match, they cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Charlotte got in some offense after the break. She took James down with a boot to the face. She walked to the corner to set up a move, but Giulia interfered. James then landed a spinebuster. Giulia then tagged in and went on the attack. Bliss interrupted the cover. Bliss tagged in and gave James a Sister Abigail for a three count.
WINNER: Charlotte & Bliss in 8:00.
-After the match, Jax and Legend attacked Bliss and Charlotte. After clear the ring, Giulia confronted Jax. James pulled her back.
(Keller’s Analysis: As usual, fans had little or no reaction to Giulia confronting Jax like that. They’re two heels, and both had been fighting a popular duo in Bliss and Charlotte in that segment, so fans were left trying to rationalize which heel duo they’d side with, which seems needless at best and counter-productive as worst. Why not just have them go their separate ways?) [c]
[HOUR TWO]
-A vignette aired with Solo who stared at the lantern and said he’d going to take good care of it. He said if the Wyatts want the random back, put the tag titles on the line. He said the lantern will be with him when he takes out Damien Priest and then takes the WWE Undisputed Title to the family again. He blew out the lantern.
-Cody Rhodes made his ring entrance. He looked like he had a lot on his mind. Graves said he’s disappointed and perhaps embarrassed because he so proudly held the WWE Title, so it feels almost unnatural and uncomfortable to see him with the gold around his waist and that ear-to-ear grin.
Advertised Matches & Appearances
- Randy Orton vs. The Miz – Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Qualifying match
- Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa – Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Qualifying match
- Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov – Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Qualifying match
- Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams – Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Qualifying match
- Carmelo Hayes to host United States Title Open Challenge
- Drew McIntyre returns
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