London, England—Friday Night SmackDown returns tonight from the OVO Arena Wembley in London with one of the most anticipated episodes of the year, featuring major title moments and pivotal matches shaping the road to WWE Royal Rumble 2026.
Drew McIntyre’s First Televised Appearance as Undisputed WWE Champion
Fresh off his dramatic victory on January 9 in Berlin—where he captured the Undisputed WWE Championship in an intense Three Stages of Hell main event—Drew McIntyre is set to make his first televised appearance as champion on tonight’s SmackDown. Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting his return to the blue brand, where he’ll be in action before the buildup to Royal Rumble (Jan. 31) continues.
Carmelo Hayes to Defend United States Championship in Open Challenge
SmackDown will also feature Carmelo Hayes defending the WWE United States Championship in an open challenge — a tradition that has become a fan‑favorite part of the blue brand’s shows. Hayes has been a dominant champion since winning the title in late 2025 and will look to continue his strong reign in front of the energized London crowd.
Four Big Qualifying Matches for Royal Rumble Contention
In addition to the major title presence, the show will host four No. 1 contender qualifying matches for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Winners of these singles bouts will advance to a Fatal Four‑Way match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24—with the victor earning a title shot against McIntyre at Royal Rumble:
Randy Orton vs. The Miz—Two veteran superstars collide for a chance to keep momentum going toward the top title picture.
Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa—A hard‑hitting matchup with significant stakes.
Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams—A stylistic clash with potential Royal Rumble implications.
Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov—A highly anticipated rematch with contention on the line.
The winners from tonight will make the Fatal Four‑Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event — and that bout’s victor will become the official No. 1 contender for McIntyre’s title at the Royal Rumble pay‑per‑view on January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Anticipation and Broadcast Info
SmackDown is scheduled to air at 8 p.m. ET (with earlier live airing internationally on Netflix) and promises a night full of surprises, hard‑hitting competition, and storyline developments directly connected to WWE’s major early 2026 events.
