WWE SmackDown aired on January 23, 2026, from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The show continued the build toward the Royal Rumble premium live event later in the month in Saudi Arabia.
On the show, The MFTs challenged The Wyatt Sicks for the WWE Tag Team Championships. The women’s tag team division featured a triple threat number one contender’s match. Damian Priest faced Trick Williams, and a United States Championship open challenge was also held, along with other matches.
WWE SmackDown Highlights:
Sami Zayn opened the show
Sami Zayn came out to a loud hometown reaction in Montreal and spoke in French, saying it felt good to be home and that he felt full of momentum ahead of Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he has a chance to become the number one contender.
Trick Williams interrupted, saying he and Sami are not on the same level, calling himself the future and accusing Zayn of failing when it matters most, including in his own city. Sami admitted his past failure but said he is the best of the best and told Trick he might reach Sami’s level in many years, if he is lucky. Trick refused to fight, saying he had a main event match with Damian Priest.
Priest then came out, accused Trick of running his mouth and being afraid of him, which led Trick to hit Sami with the microphone and then clash briefly with Priest. Sami recovered, joined the fight, and Trick escaped to the floor after shoving Priest into Zayn.
Carmelo Hayes vs Ilja Dragunov
Carmelo Hayes defended the WWE Men’s United States Championship against Ilja Dragunov in an open challenge. The match started fast with both men trading counters, chops, and suplex attempts. Then came a big German suplex from Dragunov, and both men went down heading into the break. After the break, as Dragunov went to the top rope again, The Miz suddenly appeared and shoved him down. Hayes took advantage of the distraction and hit the Codebreaker to score the pinfall.
Chelsea Green vs Jade Cargill
Jade Cargill defeated Chelsea Green by pinfall with Jaded. Green attacked Jade during her entrance, but Cargill quickly took control with a backbreaker, fallaway slam, and kip-up. Chelsea had a brief opening and nearly stole it using the ropes, but Jade kicked out and finished the match with Jaded.
After the match, Jordynne Grace confronted Jade and questioned what she was trying to prove. Grace announced she is in the Royal Rumble and challenged Jade to fight immediately. Jade chose to back down.
Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga of MFTs vs Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy of Wyatt 6
MFTs defeated Wyatt 6 to win the WWE Men’s Tag Team Championship. The match broke down late with interference at ringside, including Talla Tonga taking out Erick Rowan and Solo Sikoa using a Samoan Spike on Uncle Howdy. With the referee distracted, Tama Tonga struck Dexter Lumis with the lantern and finished him with Cutthroat for the pinfall.
Johnny Gargano vs Nathan Frazer
Nathan Frazer defeated Johnny Gargano by pinfall. The match was fast-paced with many near falls, including Gargano surviving a frog splash and Frazer missing a Phoenix Splash. Late in the match, Candice LeRae interfered, but Axiom countered by putting the blue mask on her, causing confusion. Gargano was distracted trying to help Candice and was struck, allowing Frazer to win with a folding press. Post-match, Candice took the mask back and escaped through the crowd.
Drew McIntyre addresses the Montreal crowd
Drew McIntyre addressed the crowd in Montreal and spoke as the WWE Champion. He mocked the city’s long Stanley Cup drought and said they should now be proud of having him as champion. Drew took shots at Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu, saying Cody still does not deserve a rematch and that he is confident he can win the Royal Rumble again.
He then ran down possible number one contenders. He dismissed Trick Williams as inexperienced, called Damian Priest a one-hit wonder, questioned Randy Orton’s ability to deliver in big moments, and harshly insulted hometown favorite Sami Zayn, saying Zayn has always failed when it matters most. Drew ended by saying it does not matter who wins the four-way match, because he will do anything to keep the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble.
Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs Lash Legend & Nia Jax vs Lash Legend & Nia Jax
The triple threat number one contender’s match opened in chaos before settling into fast tag action between all three teams. As the match went on, Alexa Bliss briefly took control and nearly finished Giulia, but Lash Legend and Giulia both broke up the pin. The action broke down again with everyone involved, and Charlotte speared Lash to stop her momentum. In the final sequence, Kiana James took advantage of the chaos and pinned Alexa Bliss with a lateral press. Giulia and Kiana James won the match and became the new number one contenders for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
Damian Priest vs Trick Williams
Damian Priest and Trick Williams started with a physical, evenly matched contest. Sami Zayn appeared at ringside, becoming a distraction as Trick used the moment to knock Priest to the floor and take control heading into the break.
After the break, Priest landed a Superman Punch, and Williams nearly won with the Book End. The turning point came when Trick dragged Priest outside and slammed him into the announce desk, also sending him into Sami Zayn. Zayn then entered the ring and attacked Trick, causing the referee to call for the bell. Trick Williams won by disqualification.
Post-match chaos followed as Sami Zayn laid out both men with strikes and a Helluva Kick on Trick, but Priest answered with a boot to Zayn. Trick then hit Priest with a Trick Shot. Randy Orton suddenly appeared and hit Trick with an RKO, then dropped Sami with another RKO, ending the show with Orton standing tall.
FAQs
Q. Where was tonight’s WWE SmackDown held?
A. Tonight’s WWE SmackDown was held at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.
Q. Who won the WWE Men’s United States Championship match?
A. Carmelo Hayes retained the WWE Men’s United States Championship against Ilja Dragunov.
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