Wrestling is weird. One minute you're the hero, the next you're basically telling thousands of screaming fans to screw themselves. That’s exactly what happened at the OVO Arena Wembley in London. Drew McIntyre showed up with bagpipes and a brand-new Undisputed WWE Championship around his waist, and the local crowd went absolutely nuclear for him.
Then he opened his mouth.
If you missed the show, the big story is the fallout from McIntyre dethroning Cody Rhodes last week in that brutal Three Stages of Hell match. But honestly, the WWE SmackDown live results from last night weren't just about the new champ. We saw a massive tournament kick-off, a TNA star making a surprise appearance, and a main event scene that finally feels unpredictable again.
The Champ Has a Bone to Pick
Drew McIntyre didn't come to London for a homecoming party. He came to vent.
He stood in that ring and looked at fans who were chanting "You deserve it" and basically called them hypocrites. His logic? Nobody helped him when CM Punk and The Bloodline were making his life miserable. It was a masterclass in "heel work" because he’s technically right, but he’s also being a total jerk about it.
He also made it clear: Cody Rhodes isn't getting a rematch. At least, not right now. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis set up a four-match qualifying tournament to find a new challenger for the Royal Rumble.
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The Fatal Four-Way Qualifiers
This was the meat of the show. We had four big matches to decide who heads to Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24th for a shot at the title.
- Randy Orton def. The Miz: This was short. The Miz tried to jump Orton before the bell, but you can't out-snake the Viper. One RKO later, and Orton is moving on. He told Drew backstage later that he’s already taken a title from him once and he’ll do it again.
- Trick Williams def. Matt Cardona: Cardona is officially back on the roster, but Trick is the story here. He’s only been on the blue brand for a few weeks and he’s already in the title hunt. He hit the Trickshot and that was that.
- Damian Priest def. Solo Sikoa: This was pure chaos. The Wyatt Sicks showed up to mess with Solo (apparently they're still mad about him stealing the lantern). Priest capitalized and hit South of Heaven for the pin.
- Sami Zayn def. Ilja Dragunov: Probably the match of the night. These two beat the life out of each other. Sami eventually hit the Helluva Kick to secure his spot.
What Happened to Cody Rhodes?
Cody isn't just sitting at home. He came out to address the London crowd and confirm he’s entering the Royal Rumble. He wants to be the first person to win three in a row. Bold move.
But his immediate problem is Jacob Fatu. Fatu was the one who inadvertently cost Cody the title last week during the cage portion of the Three Stages of Hell. Last night, they got into a massive brawl that had to be broken up by security. Aldis has officially booked Rhodes vs. Fatu for next Saturday.
It's actually kind of refreshing to see Cody away from the title for a minute, even if it feels temporary.
The Mid-Card and a TNA Surprise
Carmelo Hayes is currently carrying the United States Championship, and he’s doing the "Open Challenge" thing. Last night, the music hit and out came Leon Slater from TNA.
Slater looked incredible, but Melo is Melo. He caught Slater with an avalanche cutter to retain. The crossover stuff between WWE and TNA (and Netflix, for that matter) is becoming so normal now that we barely blink, but it still adds a nice layer of "anything can happen" to the middle of the show.
Quick Results Rundown:
- Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss beat Giulia & Kiana James. Alexa hit the Sister Abigail on James, which is a creepy touch we haven't seen in a while.
- Jordynne Grace squashed Chelsea Green. Post-match, Jordynne had a tense face-to-face with the Women's Champion, Jade Cargill.
- The Wyatt Sicks sent a cryptic message to Solo Sikoa via a backstage vignette. They are definitely not done with The Bloodline.
The Sami Zayn Twist
The show ended on a weird note. After Sami Zayn won his main event qualifier, Trick Williams came back out. We thought they were going to shake hands, but Trick leveled Sami with a Trickshot.
It’s a huge shift for Trick. He’s usually the "Whoop That Trick" hero, but he clearly wants that Undisputed Title and he doesn't care who he has to go through. This sets up a very interesting dynamic for the Fatal Four-Way next week between Orton, Priest, Williams, and Zayn.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the road to the Royal Rumble, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch Saturday Night’s Main Event (Jan 24): This is where we get Cody vs. Fatu and the Fatal Four-Way to decide Drew’s challenger.
- The Royal Rumble Factor: Cody is the heavy favorite to win the Rumble, but with guys like Gunther and potentially a returning Roman Reigns looming, it's not a lock.
- Giulia’s Next Step: She lost the tag match last night, but she’s still the Women's U.S. Champ. Expect a rematch with Alexa Bliss soon.
The landscape of SmackDown has shifted completely since the move to the new year. Drew McIntyre as a "truth-telling" villain is exactly the spark the show needed heading into WrestleMania season.
Next Steps: Check the official WWE social media channels for the full video highlights of the Trick Williams heel turn—it was a lot more aggressive than the live recap suggests. Make sure your Peacock or Netflix subscription is active for next Saturday's special.