WWE SmackDown Updated Preview (January 16, 2026): Match card, news, timings & where to watch
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Top contender matches are set for this week’s episode of the Blue Brand!
The January 16, 2026, edition of WWE SmackDown arrives with massive momentum as the Blue Brand touches down at The OVO Arena Wembley in London, England, continuing WWE’s action-packed European Tour.
The first two WWE SmackDown episodes of the new year have delivered non-stop shocks, and last week’s show in Berlin set a blistering pace on the Road to Royal Rumble 2026.
Trick Williams rebounded from a tense confrontation with Randy Orton to win his in-ring debut against Rey Fenix, while Giulia successfully retained the Women’s United States Championship over Alexa Bliss.
Jordynne Grace scored a big debut victory, Carmelo Hayes survived Shinsuke Nakamura’s challenge to keep the U.S. Title, and The MFTs defeated the Wyatt Sicks in eight-man action.
The night ended in chaos as Drew McIntyre captured the Undisputed WWE Championship after Jacob Fatu’s shocking return during the brutal Three Stages of Hell main event. Now, London plays host as SmackDown looks to escalate the drama even further.
Announced matches & segments for WWE SmackDown (January 16, 2026)
- New Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre to appear
- Carmelo Hayes’ United States Title Open Challenge
Qualifying matches for the #1 Contender’s (Undisputed WWE title) fatal 4-way match at SNME:
- Randy Orton vs The Miz
- Matt Cardona vs Trick Williams
- Damian Priest vs Solo Sikoa
- Sami Zayn vs Ilja Dragunov
Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, Jade Cargill and Alexa Bliss are listed as featured superstars.
New Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre returns to SmackDown
After his controversial win against Cody Rhodes in the Three Stages of Hell Match last week, Drew McIntyre returns to SmackDown as the new Undisputed WWE Champion.
Carmelo Hayes’ United States Title Open Challenge
Carmelo Hayes will once again defend his United States Title on the Blue Brand in an open challenge against a new opponent. The only question that now remains is who will step up?
Randy Orton vs The Miz
Randy Orton and The Miz would be the oldest guys in the locker room, but they are still two of the best in the roster.
Orton and the A-list superstar had their fair share of rivalry during early 2010, and now, after many years, both men again come to face each other for an opportunity for the grandest prize in all of pro-wrestling.
Matt Cardona vs Trick Williams
Trick Williams appears to be becoming a prominent feature on the SmackDown roster after making back-to-back appearances and being inserted into the Undisputed WWE Championship No. 1 Contender’s Tournament.
Last week, Williams made a statement by interrupting Randy Orton to open the show and later securing an impressive debut victory over Rey Fenix. Now, he faces his biggest test yet as he goes one-on-one with Matt Cardona in a high-stakes qualifying match.
A win would propel Williams into the Fatal 4-Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event, giving him a massive opportunity to inch closer to an Undisputed WWE Title shot.
Damian Priest vs Solo Sikoa
Nick Aldis announced that four qualifying matches will take place on this week’s SmackDown in London. The winners of those matches will then advance to Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24.
The winner of that match will then face the WWE Champion at this year’s Royal Rumble, which takes place on January 31 in Saudi Arabia. Now Damian Priest is all set to face Solo Sikoa for the same qualifying match.
Sami Zayn vs Ilja Dragunov
Sami Zayn and Ilja Dragunov meet once again on SmackDown, but this time the stakes are even higher. Dragunov defeated Zayn in their last encounter to capture the WWE United States Championship, a loss that has lingered over Zayn ever since.
Now, Sami has a chance at redemption as he faces Dragunov in a crucial qualifying match for the Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Fatal 4-Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event. A victory would not only avenge his previous defeat but also move Zayn one step closer to a long-awaited world title opportunity.
WWE SmackDown Timings & Telecast Details
| Country/Region | Time | Telecast |
| United States, Alaska, Hawaii & Puerto Rico | 08 PM ET, 07 PM CT & 05 PM PT (Friday) | USA Network |
| Canada | 03 PM ET (Friday) | Netflix |
| United Kingdom & Ireland | 08:00 PM GMT (Friday) | Netflix |
| India | 01:30 AM IST (Saturday) | Netflix |
| Bangladesh | 02:00 AM BST (Saturday) | Sony Sports Network |
| Saudi Arabia | 11 PM AST (Friday) | Netflix |
| Australia | 06 AM AEST / 07 AM AEDT (Saturday) | Netflix |
| France | 09 PM CET (Friday) | AB1 |
| Brazil | 05:00 PM BRT (Friday) | Netflix |
| Mexico | 02:00 PM CST (Friday) | Netflix |
| Singapore | 04:00 AM SGT (Saturday) | Netflix |
| China | 04:00 AM CST (Saturday) | iQIYI |
| Nigeria | 09:00 PM WAT (Friday) | SuperSport & Showmax |
| South Africa | 10:00 PM SAST (Friday) | SuperSport & Showmax |
| Germany | 09:00 PM CET (Friday) | ProSieben Maxx |
When and where will next week’s episode of SmackDown take place?
The January 16 episode of WWE SmackDown will emanate from the OVO Arena Wembley in London, England.
Will the show have an early start time like Raw?
Yes, for international viewers, the show will start at 7:30 PM GMT (London). However, the show will air as usual at 8 PM ET in the US on USA Network on tape delay.
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