WWE SmackDown: A Night of Shifting Sands and New Beginnings in London
LONDON, ENGLAND - January 16, 2026. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the WWE Universe descended upon the OVO Arena Wembley. The air was thick with the promise of high stakes and fresh rivalries. But what exactly went down on the blue brand's latest three-hour extravaganza? Let's dive in.
Drew McIntyre's Reign: What's Next?
Drew McIntyre, the newly crowned Undisputed WWE Champion, wasted no time in making his presence felt. He immediately declared that there would be no rematch with Cody Rhodes. This bold move effectively shut the door on Rhodes' immediate title aspirations.
This led to a confrontation with Randy Orton, who was seeking revenge. However, the situation quickly escalated when Jacob Fatu entered the scene. This segment expertly showcased the numerous challengers vying for the championship, fueled by the upcoming No. 1 Contenders matches and the looming Royal Rumble.
Rhodes' later appearance garnered a mixed reaction from the crowd, reflecting the current state of play. He admitted his previous title reign had grown stale, a statement that resonated with the audience. But Rhodes is a top guy on the microphone, winning the crowd back by name-dropping WhatCulture Pro Wrestling, talking up London as a city deserving a WrestleMania, and then declaring himself the first entrant in the Royal Rumble.
Rhodes' focus shifted dramatically by the end of the night. He called out Fatu, setting the stage for a brawl that closed the show. This indicates a clear shift in Rhodes' focus.
The Big Question: What does this mean for WrestleMania? If a third match with Roman Reigns is off the table, the road to WrestleMania is going to be very interesting.
Leon Slater's Moment in the Spotlight
WWE is clearly high on Leon Slater. He answered an open challenge from Carmelo Hayes on SmackDown for the United States Championship. While Slater lost the match, the result felt secondary. For a 21-year-old talent from England, this was a massive step.
The Rise of Carmelo Hayes: He's finally rising. His momentum has carried into 2026.
The Road to Saturday Night's Main Event
WWE finalized the fatal four-way match to determine Drew McIntyre's next challenger. Here's how it shook out:
- Randy Orton defeated The Miz. The Viper is always a welcome presence.
- Trick Williams is clearly the star WWE is preparing to elevate.
- Damian Priest went over Solo Sikoa.
- Sami Zayn defeated Ilja Dragunov in the main event.
Who do you think will win the fatal four-way match and challenge Drew McIntyre?
