Welcome to Pro Wrestling News Hubs Live coverage of WWE SmackDown for January 2nd. Tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown is live from inside the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
WWE SmackDown Card
The FIRST 3-HOUR #SmackDown of 2026 starts NOW on @USANetwork! 🔥
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Segment With Michael Cole, Corey Graves, The Miz And “The Viper” Randy Orton
RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!!!! 🙌@RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/sUgi2pyuDE
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Backstage Segment With “The Viper” Randy Orton And Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes
Randy Orton 🤝 Cody Rhodes pic.twitter.com/tch7zydnyu
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
8-WOMAN TAG MATCH
Alexa Bliss, “The Queen” Charlotte Flair and RHIYO (“The Eradicator” Rhea Ripley and “The Genius Of The Sky” IYO SKY) vs. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors (“The Empress of Tomorrow” Asuka and “The Pirate Princess” Kairi Sane), “The Irresistible Force” Nia Jax and “The Boujee Bully” Lash Legend
RHIYO AND CHARLEXA WITH THE WIN 👊
Is RHIYO destined to win tag team gold? pic.twitter.com/Q1f7evgBtf
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Winners: Alexa Bliss, “The Queen” Charlotte Flair and RHIYO (“The Eradicator” Rhea Ripley and “The Genius Of The Sky” IYO SKY)
Match Grade: B
Backstage Segment With SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, The Secret Hervice’s Alba Fyre, WWE Women’s United States Champion and AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green And “The Juggernaut” Jordynne Grace
Is it too cold for @ImChelseaGreen to defend her United States Title tonight? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/W9ozZfmddI
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Pre-Match Segment With Kit Wilson And Matt Cardona
MATT CARDONA IS HERE 🤩
Zack Ryder is so last year 😜 pic.twitter.com/AsEYWMUbE2
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
SINGLES MATCH
Matt Cardona vs. Kit Wilson
.@TheMattCardona with the WIN 👏 pic.twitter.com/YpgJMNJxZo
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Winner: Matt Cardona
Match Grade: C
Backstage Segment With Cathy Kelley And Damian Priest
“You’re the one that’s going to fade to black.” 💨
Will @ArcherOfInfamy send @Aleister_Blxck home in an AMBULANCE tonight? pic.twitter.com/TKCLpo0v0B
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Backstage Segment With The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Nikki Cross and WWE Tag Team Champions Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy)
What is the meaning of family? 😲
The Wyatt Sicks’ family is full of FIREFLIES! pic.twitter.com/PeAxFHKUpW
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Segment With Sami Zayn And Trick Williams
“You have yet to be humbled.” 👀@SamiZayn is having NONE of @_trickwilliams tonight! pic.twitter.com/jMxV7WawBC
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Backstage Segment With WWE United States Champion Carmelo Hayes And “The Mad Dragon” Ilja Dragunov
We can’t wait until @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR and @Carmelo_WWE run it back for the United States Championship! 😤 pic.twitter.com/31n6yBmVp8
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
WWE United States Championship Match
Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. #DIY’s Johnny Gargano
NOTHING BUT NET 🫰@Carmelo_WWE retains the United States Championship! pic.twitter.com/5uItQ8h9XZ
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Winner And Still The WWE United States Champion: Carmelo Hayes
Match Grade: A
Backstage Segment With Aleister Black And Zelina
“After tonight, you will never be the same.” 😳
Will @Aleister_Blxck win the FIRST EVER Ambulance Match on SmackDown? pic.twitter.com/CMMdHXaxyf
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Backstage Segment With Cathy Kelley, WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill And “The Juggernaut” Jordynne Grace
“I suggest you sign somewhere else because this is MY SHOW”@Jade_Cargill with a warning for @JordynneGrace 👀 pic.twitter.com/Y4guF8BzYM
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Segment With SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, “The Scottish Warrior” Drew McIntyre, Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes And Several WWE Referees, Officials And Security Personnel
OH NO 😭@DMcIntyreWWE just lit a photo of @CodyRhodes and Dusty Rhodes on fire! pic.twitter.com/sxiekDl2tk
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
WWE Women’s United States Championship Match
AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green (c) vs. “The Beautiful Madness” Giulia
GIULIA DOES IT 😤@giulia0221g is once again the Women’s United States Champion! pic.twitter.com/WoyAtX0zCQ
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Winner And New WWE Women’s United States Champion: “The Beautiful Madness” Giulia
Match Grade: B
Ambulance Match
Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black
DAMIAN PRIEST WINS THE AMBULANCE MATCH 🚑@ArcherOfInfamy pic.twitter.com/KKFiPwhU6S
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Winner: Damian Priest
Match Grade: A
