Cody Rhodes vs Drew McIntyre; Ambulance match & other storylines to watch on WWE SmackDown tonight (January 2, 2026)

These intriguing storylines will unravel in 2026.

The first Friday Night SmackDown of 2026 promises a new chapter, with rivalries carrying over from last year, and the road ahead of WrestleMania beginning to take shape. The show will return to a three-hour format from this Friday at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

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.

Ahead of tonight’s show in Buffalo, New York, here are the top four storylines to watch out for on tonight’s WWE SmackDown.

4. Carmelo Hayes’ title reign

Carmelo Hayes last week managed to outlast the ‘Mad Dragon’ Ilja Dragunov and pin him to capture the United States title. This is his first title on the main roster, a call fans have been asking the WWE for a long time. The win has been received well among the fandom, with many fans celebrating the title victory.

It will be interesting to see whether WWE chooses to continue the United States Title open challenge with Hayes, as it has become a staple of the blue brand, or if the company has more substantive long-term storylines planned for him.

The skepticism is understandable, particularly in the wake of Giulia’s disappointing Women’s United States Title reign, but WWE still has an opportunity to course-correct and fully capitalize on Hayes’ momentum if the booking is handled correctly.

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

3. Jade Cargill vs Michin

Jade Cargill and Michin have been booked to settle the score inside the ring in a non-title match tonight. However, Michin has notably been removed from WWE’s Holiday Live Tour schedule. Fightful Select has confirmed that Michin has suffered a shoulder injury.

Amid speculations, B-Fab replaced Michin during the January 1 live event in Syracuse, New York. If WWE decides the same for tonight’s match instead of either cancelling the match or bringing back Tiffany Stratton, Cargill’s title reign is going even more downhill. The zero title defenses and poor feuds were already not helping her reign, and the injury leaves her very few options on the hollow SmackDown roster.

2. Ambulance match

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.

The brutal stipulation is typically reserved for the conclusion of a feud, which the promotion should opt for, unless WWE plans to call up Lola Vice from NXT and have the real-life couple face each other, or once again pair Damian Priest with Rhea Ripley, as they did last month in a mixed-tag team match against Aliester and Zelina Vega.

Beyond those possibilities, there appears to be little left to explore between the two, with the most logical remaining option being a mixed-tag team bout, ideally pitting Priest and Vice against Black and Vega.

1. Three Stages of Hell match

Last week, Drew McIntyre made his return after GM Nick Aldis officially negotiated and reinstated him. McIntyre, in his return baited Cody Rhodes into attacking him. As part of the negotiation, it was agreed that if Cody laid even a finger ahead of the title clash, he would be stripped of the title.

Drew capitalized on the opportunity, with a scathing promo event mentioning Cody’s late father and wrestling royalty, Dusty Rhodes, stating, “When I bury you deep in hell, say hi to your dad for me.” 

The remark angered Cody, who attempted to attack McIntyre when General Manager Nick Aldis stepped in. McIntyre then took advantage of the moment, as Cody shoved Aldis aside and turned his attention back to Drew, who flattened the champion with a Claymore to close the show.

Fans are now waiting to see if Cody, in his appearance tonight, chooses to retaliate or wait until the January 9 episode in Berlin, where the two will meet in a Three Stages of Hell match and punish McIntyre for the comments. Rhodes might just play it safe and deliver a promo, and make it clear that the mind games do not affect him.

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