The John Report: WWE SmackDown 01/23/26 Review

This is WWE SmackDown featuring the Wyatt Sicks facing MFTs, a women’s triple threat tag team match, Damian Priest facing Trick Williams, AJ Styles appearing, and more.

It’s about -17 degrees Celsius out as I sit here on this Friday night writing about SmackDown from Montreal, in my beautiful, cold country of Canada. A lot of the US is dealing with frigid temperatures, too, so I hope you guys are taking care of yourselves and your loved ones. Be smart. Stay warm.

Tonight’s SmackDown and Saturday Night’s Main Event are in Montreal, so it should be great crowds on both nights because Montreal fans are amazing. I am looking forward to the wrestling shows, plus my Los Angeles Rams (a team I’ve loved for nearly 40 years) playing the NFC Title game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night. It should be an amazing atmosphere, and hopefully a Rams win!

Last week’s SmackDown saw Sami Zayn, Randy Orton, Trick Williams, and Damian Priest pick up wins as they qualified for a #1 Contenders 4-Way Match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The winner of that match faces Drew McIntyre for the WWE Title at the Royal Rumble, which is just 8 days away on January 31st.

From the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, this is SmackDown for episode #1379. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

There was some pre-show walking shown of Cody Rhodes, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, Lash Legend and Charlotte Flair, Giulia and Kiana James, Solo Sikoa with the MFTs, and the Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.

Let’s Hear from Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn got a huge ovation from the hometown crowd in Montreal. Zayn grew up about 7 miles away from downtown in Laval, according to Cole. Zayn had a Montreal Canadiens-style shirt for the show. The fans loved him as usual. They sang along with Sami’s song and kept singing even after it stopped. They sang “Ole, Ole, Ole” for Zayn before he could say a word.

Zayn said hello to the crowd in French and he said it feels good to be home. Zayn said momentum is a funny thing in WWE, and he feels like he has all the momentum right now. Zayn said tomorrow night in Montreal, he has the chance to become the number one contender…and here’s Trick Williams.

The fans sang “Whoop That Trick” for Trick Williams song as he walked down to the ring. Trick said that they are not on the same level. Trick told the fans to shut their mouths now. That’s me knowing some French, my friends. Trick mentioned Zayn had a shot at the WWE Championship in his own cit,y and he didn’t get the job done. Trick said he knows how to get the job done. Zayn said he’s here to be WWE Champion.

Zayn admitted he did lose a WWE Championship match in his city and it did happen. Zayn said that Trick might be a future champion. Zayn said that Trick is right when he said they are not on the same level. Zayn told Trick that when he steps into the ring with Zayn, he’s dealing with the best of the best. Zayn said that maybe in 5-10 or 15 years, if you’re lucky than maybe you’ll be half as good as Zayn is. Zayn said if Trick thinks Zayn is wrong, then he can try to do something about it right now. Trick said no because he’s got a match with Damian Priest in the main event. Trick said that they can take care of business at Saturday Night’s Main Event tomorrow.

Damian Priest made his entrance with a look of confidence as usual. Priest said last week he told Trick he does a lot of talking and all Trick does is talk. Priest said he got in Trick’s face last week and Trick didn’t say a word to him. Priest claimed that Trick was afraid of him. Priest said Trick thinks that if he says the wrong thing, then Priest will drop him on his ass. Priest told Trick to say or do something.

Trick said if Priest thinks that he is scared, then he needs to watch this. Priest hit Zayn with the microphone and that knocked Zayn down. Priest and Trick got into a fight as they exchanged punches. Zayn got back up to try to get his own punches on Trick. Priest pulled Zayn off and then Trick shoved Priest into Zayn. Trick left. Priest and Zayn argued to end it.

Analysis: It was a textbook opening segment to set up the main event of Trick facing Damian, while Zayn is in a 4-way match with both of them and Randy Orton at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The fans loved seeing Zayn as you would expect, so it was a good move to have him start the show. Priest and Trick exchanging words was interesting. Trick is doing well on SmackDown as usual.

Randy Orton was shown watching on a TV backstage. Orton said that 2026 is the year of The Viper. Orton said that it all starts tomorrow night at Saturday Night’s Main Event right here in Montreal. Orton said he’s going to beat Priest, Zayn and Whoop That Trick. Orton said he’ll fly to Saudi Arabia and beat Drew McIntyre for the WWE Title with the RKO. The fans cheered.

Analysis: Orton was fired up. Good stuff.

It’s Michael Cole and Wade Barrett on commentary. Cole is filling in for Joe Tessitore, who is the announcer for Zuffa Boxing and there’s a show tonight for that. They didn’t mention that, but that’s why Joe isn’t there. Mark Nash was the ring announcer.

The US Champion Carmelo Hayes spoke to his buddy Ilja Dragunov, who was in a suit and he was sporting a black eye. Ilja talked about how beat up he was, so then he teased that he wouldn’t want a title match, but then Ilja said he’d take the match. After Ilja left, The Miz approached Melo to say he was the locker room leader, and he didn’t like how the superstars of today like eachother so much, and whatever happened to hating people? Melo wondered if he meant like how Melo hates Miz. They bickered some more, Melo insulted Miz, and left.

Carmelo Hayes made his entrance as the US Champion for the first match of the night.

A commercial aired for WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event this Saturday, January 24th, on Peacock for those of you in the US. It’s on WWE’s YouTube channel for me in Canada and others internationally.

(Commercial)

The former US Champion Ilja Dragunov made his entrance as the challenger. Dragunov lost a great match against Sami Zayn last week in the main event.

United States Championship: Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov

They had a great match on December 26th when Hayes beat Ilja for the US Title. They had some even better matches in NXT as well. Ilja tried a quick attack, but Melo was ready with chops to the chest. Ilja hit a German Suplex. Melo and Ilja each missed clotheslines, so that led right into a double clothesline collision spot. They were both down as the show went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Ilja and Melo exchanged chops. Ilja hit a running knee to the ribs, followed by a boot to send Melo to the apron. Ilja suplexed Melo from the apron into the ring. Ilja was bleeding above the forehead a bit, but it wasn’t a huge cut. Melo hit a belly-to-back suplex. Ilja hit a body slam and a senton splash for two. Melo hit a back body drop and a springboard clothesline for two.

The match continued with Ilja grabbing a waistlock, and Melo hit an elbow to the face. Ilja was favoring an eye injury. Ilja got back into it with chops. Ilja hit a boot to the face, Melo hit a forearm, and Melo spun around the upper body, leading to a slam into the mat for two. Ilja came back with elbows to the head, then Melo came back with elbows of his own. Ilja bounced off the ropes with a Constantine Special running lariat for two. Great job by Melo doing a flip bump. Ilja went up top, he jumped off, Melo tried the First 48 double knee attack, Ilja avoided that and Ilja hit a Powerbomb for two. They went on a break for some fans again as the match continued for those of us on Netflix. Melo and Ilja were selling exhaustion about 10 minutes into this match. Ilja kicked Melo, followed by a German Suplex. Ilja held on for another German Suplex. Ilja lifted Melo up, Melo got out of it, and Melo kicked Ilja in the knee. Melo jumped off the ropes and hit a DDT for a two count. Great move for a nearfall. Melo chopped Ilja back down.

Melo was on the top rope about 13 minutes into this match, as Ilja went after him there. Melo teased a move off the turnbuckle, but Ilja blocked it. Ilja got a hold of a standing Melo from the apron and hit a superplex from the middle turnbuckle. That was an impressive feat of strength by the talented Dragunov. Melo and Ilja exchanged chops on the apron. Melo asked: “What’s wrong with you?” Ilja hit some hard chops, but Melo came back with a superplex. Melo turned a suplex into a Cutter on the apron. They bumped to the floor and then got back into the ring before the ten count. Melo went up top, Ilja went after him and hit some strikes. Ilja had Melo on his shoulders and gave him a Death Valley Driver into the turnbuckle for a two count. Ilja went up top, but The Miz showed up to shove Ilja into the top ropes. The referee was looking at Melo, so he never saw Miz interfere. Melo hit The First 48 on Ilja for the pinfall win after 17 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Carmelo Hayes

Analysis: ***1/2 It was another very good match between these two great wrestlers. Due to the interference from The Miz at the end, I have a hard time going up to four stars for it, but it was close to being at that level. Ilja is so fun to watch with a fighting attitude, while Melo matches up so well with it. There is some frustration with a long match being ruined by The Miz, but that’s partly why it’s done to make the fans hate The Miz, who ruined the match. I’m not surprised by Melo getting the win here.

After the match, Carmelo Hayes saw the replay of what Miz did, so Melo yelled at Miz, who ran away like a coward.

Analysis: That should lead to Miz against Melo and also Miz against Dragunov. I think Miz needs to actually win a match at some point, too.

A video aired about the Cody Rhodes-Jacob Fatu issues leading to their Saturday Night’s Main Event match. A Cody Rhodes interview was up next.

There was a commercial about the WWE 2K26 Attitude Era edition of the video game.

(Commercial)

Cody Rhodes Interview

The former WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was sitting with Michael Cole for an interview earlier in the day. Cole mentioned Cody losing the WWE Title, and Cody said he was focused on regaining the WWE Title after winning the Royal Rumble for a third time. Cole asked Cody for his thoughts on Jacob Fatu, so that’s when Fatu walked in with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and some WWE security guys standing by. Cody said it’s fine, so Fatu sat in the chair opposite Cody while Cole left. Fatu said he was there for Drew McIntyre, but then Cody had to be the hero and put his hands on him. Cody said that Fatu wasn’t thinking, he was acting. Cody said that Fatu acting and not thinking is what got him locked up and in prison in the first place. Fatu stood up. Fatu said that 16 he was locked down, he was 18 locked down, he didn’t have a job with 6 kids and he almost got fired before he got hired here. Fatu said that those choices made him a better man. Cody said that you are standing across from Cody right now, but he’s not the WWE Champion because of Fatu. Cody said that this match should be for the WWE Title. Fatu said that Drew was already out before he stepped in front of him. Cody said that Fatu has this all figured out, even though Fatu has never been in a WWE Title match. Fatu said that Cody thinks he is like every other Samoan he’s been around. Fatu said that they don’t make them like him. Fatu said that everybody thinks he’s unhinged and not in control, but Fatu said he’s very in control and told Cody to think about that. Fatu left.

After the interview aired, Cole said that GM Nick Aldis made Cody and Jacob leave the building after that interview.

Analysis: I liked that. Jacob Fatu did a nice job of saying that everybody thinks he’s not in control, but in reality, he’s in full control. Fatu mentioned that people think of him as a loose cannon, and I think that works for him as a character. As for Cody, he took personal shots at Fatu by mentioning his previous arrests and his behavior issues, so it shows that Cody isn’t afraid to talk shit if it helps him. Anyway, I thought that both guys did a nice job here.

Chelsea Green was backstage with Alba Fyre when they saw Jordynne Grace. Green told Grace she’s a star who would be a fit as part of Green’s Secret Hervice. Green suggested that Grace help her starting tonight since Green had a match with Jade Cargill up next. Grace seemed interested and said she’d be right there.

Chelsea Green made her entrance dressed like a Mountie since she’s in Canada and she’s Canadian. Alba Fyre was with Green, and Jordynne Grace walked behind them just because of her issues with Jade Cargill.

Analysis: That was the end of the first hour, and there was only one match. I know it was a long match and a good match, but I think they need more action on this show. Just saying.

(Commercial)

A video aired about Roman Reigns being a part of the Men’s Royal Rumble match on January 31st.

Analysis: It’s not much of a surprise that Roman Reigns will be in the Royal Rumble. He will be a popular pick to win. I don’t know who my pick is at this point. Maybe Bron Breakker. Last year, I picked John Cena, who didn’t win, but then he won Elimination Chamber and main evented WrestleMania, while the Rumble winner Jey Uso didn’t main event WrestleMania.

Jade Cargill vs. Chelsea Green (w/Alba Fyre)

The WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill confronted Jordynne Grace at ringside before the match. This was not for Jade’s title. Green hit a suicide dive on Jade. There were some “Chelsea” chants from the fans for their fellow Canadian. Jade overpowered Green and hit her with punches and kicks. Jade sent Green hard into the turnbuckle. Jade hit a backbreaker and a fallaway slam. Jade hit another fallaway slam. Jade argued with Green at ringside, so when Jade went back into the ring, Green hit a missile dropkick. Green hit a double knee attack to Jade’s back. Jade tried to come back with a jumping kick, but Green avoided it and Green got a rollup with a rope grab for two. Jade hit a superkick. Jade hit a Powerbomb. Fyre went on the apron, so Jade hit a pump kick. Jade hit Jaded on Green for the pinfall win after about 4 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jade Cargill

Analysis: ** Easy win for Jade Cargill as you would expect here. Chelsea Green did get some offense, but she had no shot in this match.

After the match, Jordynne Grace wondered what the point of this was. Grace said that all Jade did was show she could win a match without a title on the line. Grace said that she’s going to be in the Women’s Royal Rumble match so she can see Jade on the other side. Grace said that they could do this right now. Jade blew Grace a kiss and left.

Analysis: They are trying to build up Jordynne Grace as a title contender, which is fine with me. I don’t see her winning the title. Jade hasn’t defended her title on television since winning it on November 1. Having a title match at some point would make sense, but the creative team continues to avoid it. I don’t really understand it.

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair talked about their match tonight. They recalled last year’s Royal Rumble when Bliss made her return while Flair won, but Flair failed to win the title. Bliss said that if Flair won the title, then they wouldn’t have been a team or champions together. They agreed to focus on the Rumble next week, but for tonight, they want to win their match and get a shot at the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Solo Sikoa was shown walking with the Wyatt Family lantern and the MFTs behind him. Solo claimed they’re going to win the WWE Tag Team Titles, he’s going to win the Royal Rumble, and bring the title back to his family. Solo said there’s nothing you or he (referring to the late, great Bray Wyatt) can do about it.

The Wyatt Sicks made their entrance for their WWE Tag Team Title match.

A commercial aired for the WWE Royal Rumble next Saturday at 2 p.m. ET because it’s in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

(Commercial)

WWE Tag Team Championships: Wyatt Sicks – Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis (w/Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan & Nikki Cross) vs. MFTs – Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga (w/JC Mateo & Tonga Loa)

There have been different versions of MFTs wrestling in tags in the past, but now Solo is in action with Tama. Solo made Talla Tonga take the lantern to the back. There were quick tags early on. Lumis avoided a clothesline and hit a dropkick. Lumis hit a monkey flip on Tama and dropkicked Solo out of the ring. Gacy and Lumis each hit cannonball attacks on the floor. The show went on a break, and I’ll take a break too.

Solo was in control of Lumis with a running hip attack on Lumis. Solo charged again, but Lumis moved and Solo hit the turnbuckle. Lumis hit a belly-to-back suplex. Gacy tagged in against Tama. The fans weren’t reacting much as Gacy worked hard with a boot to the face and a clothesline. Gacy hit a belly-to-back suplex. Gacy hit a side suplex on Solo too. Gacy bounced off the ropes with the upside-down clothesline that he does so well. Lumis suplexed Tama into the Powerbomb by Gacy called The Plague, but Solo made the save to break up the pin. Solo punched Gacy and sent him into the barricade. Lumis hit a dive over the top onto Solo. Lumis punched JC off the apron and Lumis hit a Frog Splash off the top for two. Rowan beat up JC and Loa on the floor as Rowan hit a cross body block. Talla Tonga returned with the Wyatt Sicks lantern and Rowan faced off with Talla. JC and Loa went after Rowan, so Talla hit a boot to Rowan’s face. Talla sent Rowan over the barricade. Howdy attacked Talla with a Mandible Claw on Talla, so Solo hit a Samoan Spike on Howdy. Tama hit Lumis in the back of the head, so Lumis was against the ropes. The referee made Tama back away, which led to Solo hitting Lumis with the lantern. Tama hit his running elbow called the Cutthroat on Lumis and Tama covered for the pinfall win. New WWE Tag Team Champions. It went about 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: MFTs – Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga

Analysis: **3/4 The match was okay. They went with the cheap finish by having Solo use the lantern as a weapon and Tama finished it off right after. The fans barely reacted to Gacy and Lumis as a babyface team. I understand that the Wyatt Sicks, in theory, is a good thing as a tribute to Bray Wyatt, but I wouldn’t say the act is hot right now. I think the SmackDown tag team division has several other teams better and more exciting than either of these teams, but this is where we are with the SD tag team division. It wouldn’t surprise me if they say JC and Loa will be the tag team instead of Solo and Tama, but it doesn’t matter that much.

Nick Aldis was in his office talking on the phone and R-Truth walked in. Truth did his bit about plastic balls regarding the Royal Rumble. AJ Styles walked in, so Truth said he’ll sleep well knowing his balls are in good hands. Aldis asked Styles about his career being on the line at the Royal Rumble, so Styles explained himself while mentioning John Cena’s career ended on his shield and Gunther has been a bully bragging about it. Aldis walked in, saying that’s not all he wanted. Shinsuke Nakamura walked in to make sure Styles was sure he was ready for Gunther. Nakamura challenged Styles to a match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Styles asked Aldis if they had room on the card, Aldis said yeah and Styles shook on it with his old friend/rival Nakamura to make it official.

Analysis: The SNME card only had 3 matches, so it was obvious that one more match was going to be added. I like having Styles on the card and putting him against a familiar face like Nakamura works fine with me. Styles should win that.

Fraxiom’s Nathan Frazer made his entrance for singles action, joined by tag team partner Axiom.

(Commercial)

Nathan Frazer (w/Axiom) vs. Johnny Gargano (w/Candice LeRae)

Johnny’s wife Candice LeRae had the stolen Axiom mask. Frazer hit a running dropkick on Johnny. Johnny went for a kick, but Frazer came back with a jumping kick of his own. Johnny countered Frazer by the turnbuckle and Johnny sent Frazer into the top turnbuckle. Johnny knocked Frazer off the apron into the barricade. They went on a break for some fans, and I’ll take a break too.

It was Frazer on a flurry of offense with a Slingblade and some other big moves. Frazer went up top and hit a Frog Splash for two. Johnny left the ring, so Frazer hit a somersault dive over the top onto Johnny on the floor. Frazer went up top, he went for the Phoenix Splash, Johnny avoided it and hit a kick. Johnny and Frazer each hit kicks to the head. Frazer tried a springboard attack, Johnny avoided it and Johnny hit a sitout Michinoku Driver for a two count. Johnny went up top, so Frazer hit a superplex and a neckbreaker for a two count. Frazer went up top again, LeRae distracted on the apron, Frazer hesitated and then he jumped off the top, but Johnny moved. Axiom put the mask on LeRae’s hand, so Johnny reached for his wife and she punched Johnny without seeing him. Frazer did the ROLLUP OF DEATH~! on Johnny for the pinfall win. It went about 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Nathan Frazer

Analysis: *** A pretty good match by two talented workers. I wouldn’t call it great or anything like that, even though I know they are both very talented. I don’t think the story is that great, but they did the best they could with it. LeRae was a huge factor who hurt her husband, Johnny, instead of helping him, and Frazer got the rollup win. Clever booking.

After the match, Axiom got the mask back and trash talked Johnny about it. LeRae went into the ring, and she took the mask back from Axiom. Poor Axiom.

Analysis: I like everybody involved, but it’s not the most riveting storyline on wrestling television. Just saying. If it was up to me, the Axiom stolen mask story would be dumped. Move on, creative team.

Nia Jax and Lash Legend were interviewed by Cathy Kelley. They talked about how they are going to win tonight and then win the Royal Rumble. They’re going to work together and make sure one of them wins.

The WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre, was shown backstage for a promo up next.

This Monday on Raw: AJ Styles speaks out and an interview with Gunther.

(Commercial)

A commercial aired about WWE Unreal Season 2, which is available now on Netflix.

Let’s Hear from Drew McIntyre

The Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre made his entrance. Even though Drew is a heel, there is some cheering for him because a lot of fans wanted to see him as the champion again and now he’s done it. Drew took his time posing in the ring before saying a word.

Drew said “Bonjour” to Montreal. That means “hello” if you don’t know. Drew said that it has been over 30 years since your Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup, but now you have a champion you can be proud of in Drew McIntyre. Drew mentioned the Jacob-Cody confrontation earlier. Drew said he wasn’t the one who attacked Jacob backstage and Drew claimed he never lies. Drew told Cody that if he survives, then there is no rematch, so Cody has to try to win the Royal Rumble for the third time and wished him good luck.

Drew mentioned the Fatal 4-Way match tomorrow at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Drew mentioned Trick Williams, the rookie, and said to go get him. Drew said he wasted a year with Damian Priest and if he sees him at the Rumble, he’ll end his career. Drew said that Randy Orton is not The Viper anymore, he’s Randall Keith Orton, who can’t get the job done when it counts. Fans chanted “RKO.” Drew said last but not least in Canada’s own Sami Zayn. Drew said he knows that Sami has a whole country behind him, so the fans were singing “Ole, Ole, Ole” and Drew let them sing. Drew said he could be louder since he has the microphone. Drew told Zayn that he’s always so concerned about winning the big one and about disappointing your little son. Drew said that Sami’s son has been disappointed for a long time, like when he opened his eyes and realized Sami Zayn is his father. Drew said he didn’t care who wins the 4-Way because he’ll do whatever it takes to keep this WWE Championship. Drew said whoever faces Drew at the Royal Rumble, good luck, because you’re going to need it.

Analysis: A strong promo from Drew McIntyre as the confident WWE Champion. I thought there might be a Sami Zayn interruption near the end, but it didn’t happen. Since Drew focused on Zayn the most, it is a bit of foreshadowing that Zayn is likely to win at SNME, which I assume most fans are thinking. That’s my pick too.

Trick Williams talked to Rey Fenix backstage. Trick bragged about beating Fenix in the past. Fenix mentioned what Trick did when they went one-on-one. Trick claimed that after he beats Priest tonight, wins the 4-way tomorrow, and wins the WWE Title at the Royal Rumble, then Fenix can get a title shot if Trick remembers his name. After Trick left, Fenix said Trick would remember him.

A replay was shown of last week when Kit Wilson did a cheap attack on Matt Cardona. Trick called Matt “Toxic” after that. Jacob Fatu went into the ring and beat up Kit.

Kit Wilson was interviewed by Cathy Kelley, who asked what is triggering about Matt Cardona. Kit said that somebody has to clean up the toxic masculinity in this locker room. Matt Cardona interrupted to ask Kit what his problem is with him. Kit mentioned Matt’s physical features, Matt said it sounded like he was complimenting him, and Kit complained about his toxic masculinity. Matt didn’t know what the hell Kit was talking about, so Matt said they could handle this in the ring. Matt left while Wilson complained about how toxic Cardona is.

Analysis: I assume that’s a match for next week. I’m sad we didn’t get to hear Kit Wilson’s theme song this week. It’s the best. I love the Toxic act.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss made their entrance for tag team action.

(Commercial)

Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax & Lash Legend vs. Giulia & Kiana James

The winning team will get a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles held by Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. Three women are legal at the same time. First fall wins.

Flair and Bliss hit dropkicks to start the match. Lash hit an uppercut on Flair, and James hit a shoulder tackle on Lash. Flair hit a cartwheel clothesline on James. Flair hit a headscissors on Lash. Bliss tagged in, went up top, and hit a cross body block on the four opponents on the floor. They went on a break there and didn’t show the action for us on Netflix either, so I’m a 3-minute break too.

Giulia was in control as she punched and kicked Flair and Lash. Flair sent Giulia into her corner, so James got the tag. Flair chopped Lash and James repeatedly. Lash stopped Flair from tagging out, so Jame hit a forearm to Flair’s back. Lash and Jame hit a double suplex on Flair, but Flair countered it into a double DDT. We could hear Flair say “1, 2, 3” to time the move with the girls and that way it looked good. Giulia prevented Bliss from tagging in. Jax was back in with a clothesline on James. Jax put Flair on her shoulders, but James stopped that and hit a Powerbomb into the Samoan Drop by Jax. James got a two count on Flair for two. James was trash-talking Flair, and Jax shoulder-tackled James. Giulia tagged in, Flair kicked Jax and Bliss got the tag with a dropkick on Giulia. Bliss attacked Jax with strikes. Jax caught Bliss on her shoulders, but Bliss hit a DDT out of that. Giulia went up top and Bliss moved, so Giulia hit a missile dropkick on Jax. Lash was back in with a big boot to Bliss and Lash covered for two because Giulia broke up the pin. Jax hit a headbutt on Giulia. James was back in with a 401K flatliner on Jax. Lash punched James. Bliss went for a DDT, but Lash caught her and Lash hit a Lash Extension on Bliss. Flair hit a Spear on Lash. James jumped onto Bliss for the cover and the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Giulia & Kiana James

Analysis: ***1/4 It was an entertaining match with Kiana James putting on a very good performance with plenty of big moves in the match. The finish also put over Kiana’s intelligence since she capitalized on Lash Legend’s move to win the match. I thought that Jax and Legend would win, but I certainly don’t mind Giulia and James winning because it gives them some much-needed credibility as a team. Flair and Bliss did well as the babyfaces in the match. The fans like them a lot as a team, even though I think both of them could be used more in the singles division in the future.

Sami Zayn approached Damian Priest. Zayn said he had no problem with Priest, but he didn’t like what Trick Williams said to him. Priest said that Zayn has a problem with getting involved in matches, but Priest told Zayn to stay out of it. Zayn asked, “Or what?” Priest dared him try him. Zayn said you can’t tell him what to do. Zayn looked off in the distance and noticed something, so he told Priest he’ll see him when he sees him. Zayn walked up to Drew McIntyre and slapped him in the face. Zayn left while Drew held his face to sell it.

Analysis: The slap from Zayn to McIntyre was because McIntyre mentioned Zayn’s son in his promo, so that made things personal between them. Nice response by Zayn.

A commercial aired for WrestleMania 42.

(Commercial)

AJ Styles was shown walking backstage when the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes approached him. AJ said he didn’t want Cody to question why he’s putting his career on the line against Gunther. Cody said he gets why AJ is doing what he’s doing. Cody wished him good luck. They shook hands, and AJ tapped him on the shoulder. Cody walked back onto his bus, where he saw a Drew McIntyre WWE Champion photo on the door signed as “The Real American Dream.” Nice.

The announcers did a rundown of the Saturday Night’s Main Event card for January 24th in Montreal.

* Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu

* AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

* Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Fatal 4-Way Match: Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest vs. Sami Zayn

* Women’s Tag Team Championships: Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez

It’s on Peacock in the US and WWE’s YouTube channel internationally, even though they don’t even mention the international audience while plugging Peacock a lot.

Giulia, the US Women’s Champion, and Kiana James were interviewed by Cathy Kelley backstage. Giulia spoke in Japanese. James said that Giulia is already the Women’s US Champion, they are going to be Women’s Tag Team Champions and Giulia will win the Royal Rumble to become a triple champion. James said their plan is clear, and this is just the beginning.

Damian Priest made his entrance for the main event. There were some cheers, but it wasn’t a loud reaction for him.

(Commercial)

The Oba Femi video aired, showing the former NXT Champion looking dominant. I assume that his main roster debut will be at the Royal Rumble, and he’s going to do very well.

Trick Williams made his entrance for the main event with the fans chanting “Whoop That Trick” for the cocky heel. It’s a catchy tune, so it’s okay if fans chant things for him.

Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams

Trick was in control early on with some punches and chops. Trick sent Priest into the turnbuckle, followed by a suplex. Priest came back with some strikes, but Trick jumped up with a neckbreaker that was more like a Zig Zag. Sami Zayn walked down to the ring to get a closer look. Priest sent Trick into the turnbuckle and Priest punched Trick a few times. Priest was bleeding from the mouth. Priest tried to do some rope walking, but Trick tripped him up and sent Priest out of the ring. Trick sent Priest into the barricade and ring apron. Trick tossed Priest into the steel steps. They went on a break for some fans as Trick faced off with Zayn at ringside. Trick hit a spin kick. Trick was just grabbing chinlocks and throwing punches, so there wasn’t much happening during this time during the break for some fans. Priest hit a Broken Arrow slam.

Priest and Trick exchanged punches. Priest hit a shoulder tackle, along with a face first slam into the mat. Priest hit a running back elbow against the turnbuckle, but Trick came back with a spinning kick for two. Priest worked over Trick with strikes, but Trick hit a rising kick. Priest hit a kick to the head, Trick came back with another kick to the head, and then they each hit pump kicks at the same time to knock both men down. After both guys were down for nearly a minute, Priest tried a springboard attack, but Trick caught him and hit a spinning Book End for two. Trick tried the Trick Shot knee, but Priest avoided it and Priest hit a flapjack into the mat for a two count. The crowd barely reacted to that. Trick rolled out of the ring to avoid a charging attack by Priest. Priest charged at Trick, who gave Priest a flapjack into the commentary table. Trick threw Priest into Zayn at ringside. Trick threw Priest back into the ring, so Zayn went into the ring and attacked Trick with punches. It went about 13 minutes.

Winner by disqualification: Trick Williams

Analysis: **1/2 It was a decent match but certainly didn’t feel like a main event. The crowd barely reacted to Priest as a babyface while Trick was working hard to get reactions, yet they weren’t really reacting to him either. There was definitely a lack of chemistry between Trick and Priest too.

After the match, Zayn punched and kicked Trick repeatedly. Priest asked Zayn what he was doing, so Zayn punched Priest. Zayn hit a running boot on Trick. Priest was back up with a superkick for Zayn. Trick was back up with a Trick Shot knee on Priest. Trick’s music played as he celebrated. There was still some time left in the show, so of course that led to Randy Orton showing up behind Trick and Orton hit an RKO on Trick, much to the delight of the fans. Orton celebrated on the turnbuckles as his music played. Zayn was back up, so he stared at Orton and they exchanged words, which was foolish by Zayn because Orton hit an RKO on Zayn. Orton posed in the ring. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: It was Trick Williams standing tall to end last week’s show and this week it was Randy Orton. I think Sami Zayn will win the 4-Way at SNME, but it’s not a lock.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Carmelo Hayes
2. Ilja Dragunov
3. MFTs – Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga

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The Scoreboard

6.5 out of 10

Last week: 7.5

2026 Average: 7.34

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Final Thoughts on WWE SmackDown

This was a weaker show compared to the first three episodes of the year. That’s not to say it was bad. It just felt like there was more filler and some segments that wouldn’t have made TV if it were a two-hour show.

The match quality was also worse than the previous weeks. I still enjoyed some of the matches like Carmelo/Ilja (with The Miz getting involved) and the women’s tag team match. However, the Tag Team Title match was just average and the Trick/Priest main event was lacking heat. The Drew McIntyre-Sami Zayn promos were strong.

The Montreal crowd is usually very loud and there were times on this show where they were loud, but it wasn’t a memorable crowd or anything like that. In their defense, I wouldn’t call it a great show either, so that’s part of it.

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event takes place this Saturday, January 24th, in Montreal. Here are the matches announced so far:

* Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Fatal 4-Way Match: Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest vs. Sami Zayn

* Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu

* Women’s Tag Team Championships: Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez

* AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

You can watch Saturday Night’s Main Event, streaming live on January 24 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and WWE’s YouTube channel internationally.

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Thanks for reading. Go, Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: [email protected]

Twitter/X: @johnreport