Tiffany Stratton returns; Lola Vice debuts & other possible spoilers for WWE SmackDown tonight (January 2, 2026)

Tonight’s SmackDown will emanate from Buffalo.

As the calendar flips to 2026, WWE looks to kick off the new year with momentum, mystery, and massive implications ahead of WrestleMania 42. The promotion will start the year with the January 2 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, which is set to emanate live from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

The show will return to a three-hour format from this Friday, and multiple big names are being advertised for the show, including Cody Rhodes, Tiffany Stratton, Randy Orton, and Jade Cargill.

WWE has announced three exciting matches for the show, including an Ambulance match and an eight-woman tag team match. Let’s take a look at the top four potential spoilers for this week’s WWE SmackDown.

4. #DIY jumps Carmelo Hayes

During last week’s show, Carmelo Hayes managed to outlast Ilja Dragunov and pin him to capture the United States title, his first title on the main roster. However, Hayes will likely have a target on his back tonight, with #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa).

Hayes, along with Dragunov, not only humiliated the former Tag Champions but also defeated them in a tag team match last month. Ciampa has already been gunning for the US title during Ilja’s reign, and he might make his intentions known by attacking the newly crowned Champion.

Also Read: WWE SmackDown Preview (January 2, 2026): Match card, news, timings & where to watch

3. Misunderstanding costs Rhiyo and Charlexa

The babyface team of Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair is set to take on the team of Nia Jax, Lash Legend, and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) in an eight-woman tag team match.

The match takes place ahead of the Kabuki Warriors’ scheduled Tag Titles defense against Ripley and Iyo, and WWE may choose to give the reigning champions momentum with a victory. Ripley and Sky have also been engaged in ongoing, spirited disagreements with Flair and Bliss over who truly represents the face of the tag division.

The promotion could explore this dynamic to kick off a feud between the two immensely popular teams, potentially beginning with in-ring bickering tonight that likely leads to a loss in the eight-woman tag team match.

2. Lola Vice debut

Aleister Black and Damian Priest are determined for one final battle in their highly intense feud, which has seen both men brutally punishing each other. They are set to go at it once again this Friday in an Ambulance match.

With the inclusion of Zelina Vega, many fans have asked for Lola Vice’s debut on the main roster to join Priest as the two real-life couples feud. WWE opted for the Terror Twins reunion last month, which resulted in a mixed-tag team match. However, the promotion opting to continue the feud, likely means Vice’s debut, perhaps during the match, to aid Damian.

1. Tiffany Stratton returns

Tiffany Stratton has absent from WWE TV since losing the Women’s Title to Jade Cargill at Saturday Night’s Main Event in November. Meanwhile, Jade Cargill has not defended the title even once since November and has been feuding with Michin.

Jade is set to take on Michin on this week’s SmackDown. However, with reports of Michin’s injury, the match might be pulled from the card, and with the empty women’s division, WWE likely has no better option than Stratton’s return on the first SmackDown of 2026.

Stratton could return to reignite the feud, demanding a rematch. Notably, B-Fab replaced Michin for the Live Event match in Syracuse, New York, on January 1.

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