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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JANUARY 23, 2026
MONTREAL, QUEBEC AT BELL CENTRE
AIRED ON DELAY ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves
Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of today 8,027 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 22,114 spectators when configured for basketball.
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 Javier Machado 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.
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[HOUR ONE]
-Michael Cole introduced the show as they showed an aerial view of the arena. Then they showed Cody Rhodes arriving as Cole plugged his sitdown interview with him. Then they showed Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, Lash Legend and Nia Jax, and Giulia and Kiana James arriving. Then they cut to Solo Sikoa and his MFTs getting out of an elevator. Finally, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre backstage.
-They cut to a wide shot of the arena as Sami Zayn’s music started and he made his way to the ring. Sami spoke some French and then said he feels like he has all the momentum in the world now. He said he has a chance tomorrow to become the no. 1 contender. Trick Williams’s music played. He walked out and told Sami that they aren’t on the same level. Trick said he knows how to get the job done and he’ll tell him to his face in his city that he’s there to become WWE Champion.
Sami said he can’t argue with some of Trick’s points, including that he previously lost a title match in his city. He said Trick looks like a future champion. He said they are not on the same level, though, the best he can aspire to is being half as good as him some day. He said he if he thinks he’s wrong, he can do something about it now. Trick said he has a main event against Damien Priest in the main event, but they can take care of business tomorrow. Priest’s music then played.
Priest walked out. He told Trick that he thinks if he says the wrong thing to him, he’ll drop him on his ass where he stands. He asked Trick if he’s afraid. He dared him to say something or do something. Trick told fans to mind their own business. He told Priest he’s not scared to pop off and he kept calling Damien with a snarky tone. He then turned and hit Sami in the head with the mic. Priest punched away at Trick. Sami pulled him away and punched away at Trick. Trick shoved Priest into Sami and then bailed out. Sami and priest exchanged heated words as Cole said that was three of the four wrestlers who will be in the Fatal Four-way tomorrow night on Saturday Night’s Main Event.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Orton backstage. She noted he chose to observe rather than get involved. Orton asked what in the hell kind of question is that. He said 2026 is the Year of the Viper and he expects to win his 15th world title. He got worked up and said he’s winning at SNME and then going on to the Royal Rumble to defeat Drew McIntyre with an RKO.
-They showed Cole and Wade Barrett a ringside discussing the show.
-A clip aired from earlier of Carmelo Hayes telling Ilya Dragunov to keep his head up after his loss last week. Hayes told him the challenge is open for him tonight if he wants it. Dragunov said he lost to Sami and now his chance is gone. He said he was beat up and can’t compete in his condition. Hayes said he should have thought about that. Dragunov revealed he wasn’t serious and he’d see him in the ring later. After Dragunov left, Miz walked in and asked whatever happened to the time when people hated each other. He asked what Dragunov ever gave to him. Hayes said he he gave him more of an opportunity than he ever did.
-Hayes made his ring entrance. [c]
(1) CARMELO HAYES vs. ILJA DRAGUNOV – U.S. Title match
Cole said it’s the seventh time these two have faced each other one on one, third time for the U.S Title. Barrett wondered if Dragunov’s body would hold up. The bell rang 25 minutes into the hour. They collided mid-ring at 2:00 and then they cut to a break. [c/db]
They battled back and forth for several minutes and then cut to another break after a two count by Dragunov at 9:00. [c]
Dragunov landed a dead-lift superplex. Cole called him “pound for pound” one of the strongest wrestlers in WWE. Dragunov gave Hayes a Death Valley Driver into the corner and scored a two count. He sprinted to the top rope. but Miz knocked him off the top rope. Hayes then hit a First 48, not knowing what Miz did, and scored a three count.
WINNER: Hayes in 16:00 to retain the U.S. Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Really good battle.)
-Cole threw to a video package on the Cody Rhodes-Jacob Fatu tensions. Cole the said his sit-down interview with Cody got intense and they’d air it next. [c]
-Cole asked Cody for his thoughts on losing the WWE Title. Cody said he didn’t want to talk about losing it, but his plans to regain it. Cole cut him off and said he takes on the man who cost him the title. Cody said he respects Cole having to ask him that and he probably already knows the answer. Fatu barged in. Nick Aldis and two refs followed behind. Cody asked Fatu to sitdown and say what he wanted to him. Fatu said his concern was Drew McIntyre because he kicked teeth down his throat. He said he was locked in. He said he then had to be the hero and put his hands on him. He said it had him thinking. Cody cut him off and said it looked more like acting, not thinking, and it cost him. He said he was acting, not thinking, which is what got him put in prison in the first place. Fatu stood and said nobody knows about him. He said he was locked down in ’16 and ’18 and had seven kids, no job. He said he almost got fired before he got hired. He said he isn’t complaining, and those choices made him a better man and now he’s standing in front of him.
Cody stood and said he’s not the WWE Champion and it his fault. Cody said their match should be for the title. Fatu said as he saw it, Drew was already out before he stepped in front of him. Cody said Fatu has never been in a title match, but he seems to have everything about his title match figured out. Fatu asked Cody if he think he’s like every other Samoan he has faced. He said they don’t make ’em like him anymore. He said people think he’s a loose cannon without control. He calmed down and said, “Naw, trust me, I’m very in control.” He told Cody to think about that.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m glad they got around to having those two express their perspectives to each other. Good intensity.)
-They went to Cole and Barrett. Cole said Aldis made sure both Cody and Fatu left the building.
-From earlier, Chelsea Green with Alba Fyre crossed paths with Jordynne Grace. Chelsea told Grace she is a star who deserve a platform to shine on. She offered her a position in her Secret Hervice. She said she could accompany her tonight against Jade Cargill. Graves agreed to it if it meant being in Jade’s vicinity.
-Green and Fyre made their ring entrance. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
-Cole said Roman Reigns returns in two weekends at the Royal Rumble as an official entrant.
(2) JADE CARGILL vs. CHELSEA GREEN (w/Alba Fyre, Jordynne Grace)
As Jade jawed with Grace at ringside, Green leaped through the ropes and tackled Jade. The bell rang once they entered the ring and Jade quickly cut off Green’s advantage. Jade landed some powermoves. Fyre stood on the ring apron. Jade knocked her down and then gave Green a Jaded for a decisive clean win.
WINNER: Cargill in 3:00.
-Charlotte and Alexa bickered a bit about both being in the Royal Rumble, with Charlotte bragging about winning last year.
-The Wyatt Sicks made their ring entrance. [c]
(3) JOE GACY & DEXTER LUMIS (w/Uncle Howdy, Erik Rowan) vs. SOLO SIKOA & TAMA TONGA (w/Tonga Loa, J.C. Mateo) – WWE Tag Team Title match
Solo sent Talla Tonga to the back with the Wyatts’ lantern. The bell rang 17 minutes into the hour. They cut to a very early double-box break. [c/db]
At ringside, Rowan had enough of Loa and Mateo and threw them into each other and then leaped with a crossbody press at ringside. Talla came back to ringside with the lantern. Howdy applied the Mandible Claw. Solo gave the Solo Spike to Howdy and then held up the lantern. Lumix was watching the ringside happenings, so Tama hit him from behind. Solo hit him with the lantern. Tama then hit the Cutthroat running elbow for the win. Cole said the lantern was the downfall of the Wyatt Sicks.
WINNERS: Solo & Tama Tonga in 10:00 to capture the WWE Tag Team Titles.
-Aldis was on the phone and then R-Truth walked in. He asked to put his balls on the line in the Royal Rumble. A.J. Styles walked in. Aldis told Truth that he’ll sleep well tonight knowing his balls are in good hands. Styles asked what he was talking about. Aldis told him not to worry about it. Aldis asked if Styles if he is sure he wants to put his career on the line against Gunther at the Rumble. Styles said he is sure. He said Cena went out like a man on his shield and Gunther’s disrespect afterward pissed him off, so he’s not going to get Gunther decide when his career ends. Nakamura walked in and asked why he’s willing to lose everything. Styles said if he doesn’t step up to Gunther now, then he’s already lost. Nakamura told him to prove himself on SNME that he’s still phenomenal against him. Styles asked Aldis if he has room for it. Aldis said he does for that match.
-Fraxiom made their ring entrance. [c]
(4) NATHAN FRASER (w/Axiom) vs. JOHNNY GARGANO (w/Candice LeRae)
Cole acknowledged the death of Bobby Duncum Sr., whom Cole called one of the original badasses. The bell rang 37 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break about 2 minutes in. [c]
Fraser went for a Phoenix Splash off the top rope, but Gargano moved. Gargano then landed a Fisherman’s Driver for a two count. Fraser came back with a superplex and a neckbreaker for a two count. Axiom put his mask on LeRae’s head at ringside. Gargano turned his attention to that. LeRae mistakenly hit Gargano. Fraser then rolled him up for the win.
WINNER: Fraser in 11:00.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Nia jax & Lash Legend backsatge. Jax said they aren’t fake friends like Charlotte and Bliss, so they’ll work together in the Rumble to throw out everyone else. [c]
-A promo video aired for WWE Unreal with a focus on Penta. Cole then plugged season two of WWE Unreal.
-Drew McIntyre made his entrance. Cole said Drew sure loves being a champion. Barrett said he should because that’s the point of this all. Drew said it’s been three decades since the Montreal Canadiens won a Stanley Cup, so they now at least have a champion they can be proud of. He then said he was delighted to see Cody and Fatu earlier. He said he can’t wait to see them tear each other limb from limb. He said Cody goes to the back of the line and has to beat 29 men in the Rumble. “Good luck with that,” he said.
[HOUR THREE]
Drew talked about the four-way match at SNME with Trick, Priest, Orton, and Sami. He said he waited a year of his life with Priest and if he sees him at the Rumble, he’ll end his career. He said Orton can’t get the job done when it counts anymore. He said Sami has a whole country behind him. He said he is concerned about disappointing his little son. He said his son has been disappointed in him from the first moment he opened his eyes and realized Sami Zayn was his father. Fans booed. He said whoever faces him at the Rumble will need luck.
(Keller’s Analysis: Strong promo. He covered all four potential opponents in a snide, sinister manner and made you want to see him lose. Most of the attention was paid to Sami, so that could be a clue who’s winning, but not definitive.)
-They showed Trick confronting Rey Fenix backstage. Trick predicted he was on a path to becoming WWE Champion and then Rey can get his first world title shot.
-A clip aired of
-Kelley interviewed Kit Wilson backstage and asked why about Matt Cardona is so triggering. He said someone has to clean up the toxic masculinity in the locker room. He said too many in the locker room walk around never questioning themselves. Cardona walked in and asked what is wrong with him. Wilson said it’s his precisely trimmed beard, his chiselled jaw, and his beef shoulders. Cardona said it sounds like he was complimenting him. Wilson said men like him don’t have accountability and expect the world to bend around him. Cardona said he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but he’ll see him in the ring. Wilson said he predictably chose violence.
-Charlotte and Bliss made their entrance. Barrett asked Cole when the last time was he waxed his chest. [c]
(5) NIA JAX & LASH LEGENDS vs. CHARLOTTE FLAIR & ALEXA BLISS vs. GIULIA & KIANA JAMES – WWE Women’s Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender’s match
The bell rang 16 minutes into the hour. A minute in, Bliss leaped onto a crowd of opponents at ringside and they cut to an early break. [c]
Jax hoisted Charlotte onto her shoulders and climbed the second rope, but James powerbombed them to the mat and scored a two count. Charlotte. Barrett said James was showing layers he didn’t know she had. Cole said she might be the most underrated wrestlers on the roster. Barrett said no longer after tonight, as this was her coming out party. Bliss tagged in and rallied. She set up a Sister Abigail on James, but Lash broke it up. Lash caught Bliss mid-air and gave her the Lash Extension. Charlotte speared Lash. James covered Bliss and scored a three count.
WINNERS: James & Giuli in 10:00 to earn a Women’s Tag Team Title match.
-Sami approached Priest backstage and said he doesn’t have an issue with him despite what happened earlier. He said he does have an issue with Trick. Priest told Sami he has a tendency to get involved in other people’s business, and he warned him to stay out of his business against Trick. Sami then noticed something and walked toward it. It was Drew. Drew chuckled. Sami slapped him and walked away.
-In the parking garage, Cody got Styles’s attention. Styles asked if Cody was going to question his decision to face Gunther with his career on the line. Cody said he understands and wished him luck. He said he’s at his best when a lot is on the line. Cody then noticed Drew posted a photo of huimself ion his bus window.
-Cole and Barrett ran through the SNME line-up.
-Kelley interviewed Giulia and James, noting they’ll face the winner of tomorrow night’s Women’s Tag Title match. James said their plan is clear and it’s just their beginning.
-Damien Priest made his ring entrance. [c]
-A brief Oba Femi vignette aired.
(6) DAMIEN PRIEST vs. TRICK WILLIAMS
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 Javier Machado 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/gu9s2txzwz
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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