Everything felt different in London. If you watched the January 16, 2026, episode of SmackDown at the OVO Arena Wembley, you saw a brand basically trying to figure out its own identity after a massive earthquake. Last week in Berlin, Drew McIntyre didn't just win a title; he ended an era by taking down Cody Rhodes in that brutal Three Stages of Hell match.
So, tonight was the fallout. It was messy, loud, and surprisingly focused on the "new breed."
The Scottish Warrior’s Hero’s Welcome
Drew McIntyre walked into that London arena like he owned the place. And technically, he does. Holding the Undisputed WWE Championship, McIntyre didn't shy away from the fact that he needed Jacob Fatu’s "help" to get the job done in Germany. Honestly, he leaned into it. He told the crowd that the "American Nightmare" was finally over and that he was the only one capable of leading the brand into the Royal Rumble.
It's kinda wild to think about. A year ago, McIntyre was the frustrated guy complaining about CM Punk. Now? He's the kingpin.
But he isn't going to have a quiet reign. General Manager Nick Aldis didn't let him celebrate for long. He confirmed that the tournament to find a new challenger starts now. No automatic rematch for Cody (who is reportedly "recovering"). Instead, we got the first round of qualifying matches for a Fatal 4-Way that's going down on January 24 at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Randy Orton vs. The Miz: Old School Grit
You’ve seen this match a hundred times, but this one had a different vibe. The Miz has been acting like he's the locker room's moral compass lately, which is hilarious given his history. Randy Orton, on the other hand, is just hunting for that 15th world title.
The match was stiff.
Miz actually controlled a good portion of it, targeting Orton’s surgically repaired back. He even tried for a Skull-Crushing Finale on the apron. But you know how it goes. One mistake. Miz went for a diving axe handle, and Orton caught him mid-air with an RKO that looked like it hurt both of them. Orton moves on. One step closer to Riyadh and the Rumble.
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The Chaos in the Mid-Card
If you're a fan of the workrate stuff, the Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov match was probably your highlight. These two have history from the United States title picture, and they didn't hold back. Dragunov is basically a human bruise. Every time Sami hit a Blue Thunder Bomb, Dragunov just seemed to get angrier.
The finish was a bit of a shocker.
Sami Zayn hit the Helluva Kick, but Dragunov didn't go down. He rebounded off the ropes with a Torpedo Moscow that nearly turned Sami inside out. Dragunov got the pin. He’s into the Fatal 4-Way. This guy is a dark horse to actually win the whole tournament.
Quick Hits from the Night:
- Carmelo Hayes held an Open Challenge for the United States Title. It was answered by a returning Baron Corbin, but Hayes retained with Nothing But Net. Hayes is basically the "Main Character" of the mid-card right now.
- Jade Cargill had a tense face-to-face with Jordynne Grace. They didn't trade blows, but the atmosphere was heavy. It's pretty clear WWE is building toward a massive "Power vs. Power" match, likely for the Royal Rumble.
- The MFTs (Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga) continued their streak by defeating a local tag team, but the real story was Solo Sikoa at ringside, holding Bray Wyatt’s lantern like a trophy. It's creepy, and it's clearly leading to a supernatural showdown with the Wyatt Sicks.
The Trick Williams Factor
The most interesting part of the night was Trick Williams vs. Matt Cardona. Cardona is back in WWE and acting like he never left, calling himself the "Agent of Change." But Trick is the guy the fans actually want.
The match was fast. Trick is still a bit raw in the ring compared to a vet like Cardona, but his charisma is off the charts. Cardona tried to use his "Radio Silence," but Trick countered into a jumping neckbreaker.
Then things got weird.
Jacob Fatu appeared in the crowd. Just standing there. The distraction was enough for Cardona to roll Trick up with a handful of tights, but the ref caught it! In the confusion, Trick landed the Trick Shot knee for the win. Trick is moving on, but the shadow of Fatu is hanging over everyone.
Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa: Heavyweight Collision
The main event was a slugfest. Priest is still riding high after his Ambulance Match win over Aleister Black, and he looked like a beast. Solo Sikoa, however, has the "MFTs" in his corner.
It wasn't a "clinic." It was a fight.
Priest hit the South of Heaven chokeslam, but the ref was distracted by Talla Tonga. By the time the ref turned around, Solo had recovered. The finish came when Solo hit a Samoan Spike out of nowhere. Solo Sikoa takes the final spot in the Fatal 4-Way.
So, the stage is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event:
- Randy Orton 2. Ilja Dragunov 3. Trick Williams 4. Solo Sikoa One of those four will face Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh.
Honestly, the "New Era" of 2026 feels a lot more unpredictable than 2025 did. We’ve got NXT call-ups like Trick mixing it up with legends like Orton, and the Bloodline story has evolved into this strange, cult-like war with the Wyatt Sicks.
If you want to keep up with the brackets, the best move is to watch the highlights on the WWE YouTube channel or catch the "Lowdown" post-show. Things are moving fast, and with the Royal Rumble only a few weeks away, the London show proved that nobody’s spot is safe. Keep an eye on the Jacob Fatu situation—he’s the wildcard that could ruin everyone’s plans.