London was absolutely electric. Honestly, the OVO Arena Wembley felt more like a stadium than an arena tonight. The noise was deafening. We’ve been waiting all week to see how the landscape of Friday nights would shift after Drew McIntyre’s controversial title win in Berlin, and tonight delivered some massive answers.
The stakes were sky-high. Four qualifying matches. One goal: a spot in the Fatal 4-Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event to determine the top contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. Basically, the road to Riyadh goes through London.
The Scottish Warrior’s Homecoming
Drew McIntyre didn’t just walk out; he swaggered. Carrying that Undisputed WWE Championship feels natural on him, even if the way he got it—with Jacob Fatu’s interference—still leaves a sour taste in everyone’s mouth. He basically spent ten minutes mocking the London crowd and Cody Rhodes.
He’s a heel, but the UK fans still treat him like a conquering hero. Drew made it clear: he doesn't care who wins tonight's qualifiers. He thinks he’s untouchable. It was a classic "I told you so" promo that set the tone for the entire evening.
WWE SmackDown Live Results Tonight: The Road to the Rumble
The tournament matches were the real meat of the show. No filler. Just high-stakes wrestling.
Randy Orton vs. The Miz
The Viper is on a different level right now. The Miz tried to be crafty, even pulling the "fake injury" card early on to catch Randy off guard. It didn’t work. Orton is too smart for that. The match was physical, with Miz actually landing a Skull-Crushing Finale that nearly ended it.
💡 You might also like: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
The finish? Absolute perfection. Miz went for a springboard, and Randy caught him mid-air with an RKO out of nowhere. Randy Orton advances. He's one step closer to world title number 15.
Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov
If you like "strong style," this was your match of the year so far. These two beat the living daylights out of each other. Sami is desperate. You can see it in his eyes; he feels the clock ticking on his career. Ilja, on the other hand, is just a human torpedo.
They traded German suplexes and Helluva Kick attempts for fifteen minutes. Sami eventually caught Dragunov with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a 2.9 count. The London crowd was on their feet. Finally, Sami hit the Helluva Kick, followed immediately by another one in the corner just to be sure. Sami Zayn advances.
Solo Sikoa vs. Damian Priest
This was a car crash. A literal heavyweight fight. Solo brought the MFTs to ringside, which always complicates things. Priest is still nursing ribs from that Ambulance Match with Aleister Black, and Solo targeted them like a shark.
The Bloodline drama is never far away. Jacob Fatu appeared on the apron, but before he could do anything, the lights flickered. The Wyatt Sicks? Not quite. Just enough of a distraction for Priest to hit the South of Heaven chokeslam. Damian Priest advances. Solo looked livid.
📖 Related: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
Trick Williams vs. Matt Cardona
The "Indie God" vs. "Whoop That Trick." This was the most unpredictable match of the night. Cardona has been on a tear since returning, but Trick is the future. Cardona used every veteran trick in the book, including a low blow the ref didn't see.
Trick rallied. The "Whoop That Trick" chants were so loud the cameras were shaking. Trick hit the Trick Shot knee out of nowhere to secure the win. Trick Williams advances. The kid is going to the main event of Saturday Night's Main Event.
The Women’s Division and the Open Challenge
Carmelo Hayes defended his United States Championship in an open challenge that had everyone guessing. The music hit, and it was... Wes Lee. A shocker for the London crowd. They had a high-flying clinic, but Melo retained with Nothing But Net. He’s proving to be a fighting champion, even if he’s arrogant as hell.
On the women's side, Giulia and Kiana James continued their reign of terror. They had a tense backstage confrontation with Jade Cargill. It's pretty obvious we're heading toward a massive collision there. Jade doesn't like the way Giulia is carrying that Women's U.S. Title.
What’s Next?
The field is set for the Fatal 4-Way on January 24th at Saturday Night's Main Event:
👉 See also: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
- Randy Orton
- Sami Zayn
- Damian Priest
- Trick Williams
This is a wild mix of styles. You’ve got the veteran legend, the underdog heart, the powerhouse, and the rising star. One of these four will face Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble.
If you're following the stories, keep an eye on Cody Rhodes. He wasn't in the building tonight—reportedly "at home" after the Berlin loss—but "The American Nightmare" doesn't stay quiet for long. Expect him to make a massive statement before the Rumble.
Watch the replay on Peacock if you missed the technical brilliance of Zayn vs. Dragunov. It was easily the match of the night. Next week, the blue brand heads back to the States to finalize the build for the Montreal show.
Make sure your streaming notifications are on for Saturday Night's Main Event on January 24. This Fatal 4-Way is going to be chaotic, especially with the Bloodline and the Wyatt Sicks lurking in the shadows.