The New WWE Champion’s Bitter Triumph: A Night of Betrayal, Bragging Rights, and Brutal Brawls
By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,378)
London, England, at OVO Arena Wembley
Simulcast live January 16, 2026, on Netflix internationally, on delay on USA Network
Hour One kicked off with Joe Tessitore on commentary, setting the stage against the vibrant backdrop of London. Backstage, the camera captured the arrivals of wrestling heavyweights like Randy Orton, The Miz, Damian Priest, The MFTs, Matt Cardona, Trick Williams, Ilja Dragunov, and Sami Zayn, building anticipation for the night ahead.
Tessitore proudly announced a sold-out arena, joined by Corey Graves at the broadcast table. A gripping video recap highlighted Drew McIntyre’s grueling Three Stages of Hell victory over Cody Rhodes, clinched with Jacob Fatu’s unexpected interference, setting the tone for a night of drama.
As bagpipe players filled the arena with their haunting melody, the new WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre, made a grand entrance. Ring announcer Mark Nash introduced him to a thunderous ovation from the London crowd. But here’s where it gets controversial: McIntyre’s victory speech took a sharp turn from gratitude to defiance.
“I prayed for this, and it happened,” he declared, met with a “you deserve it” chant. Yet, McIntyre’s tone shifted as he addressed the fans: “Screw you. This isn’t the bad guy act—seriously, screw you. When I got fired, where were you? 99 percent of you weren’t there for me.” He accused the fans of bandwagon loyalty, citing their silence during his past struggles against The Bloodline, CM Punk, and even Cody Rhodes. McIntyre’s self-proclaimed era of unpredictability had begun, leaving the crowd in stunned silence.
Randy Orton interrupted, reminding McIntyre of their unresolved history. Orton recalled McIntyre’s mercy during a past match and vowed to return the favor with an RKO when the time came. But the tension escalated when Jacob Fatu stormed in, attacking McIntyre and sparking a chaotic brawl that spilled into the crowd. The Miz seized the moment, delivering a Skull Crushing Finale to Orton, setting up their imminent match.
Powell’s Take: McIntyre’s heel turn was a masterclass in storytelling, blending triumph with bitterness. His ability to command the crowd’s emotions, only to flip the script, was nothing short of brilliant.
Match 1: Randy Orton vs. The Miz (Qualifying for the Four-Way Title Shot)
The match began mid-action, with Orton dominating early, slamming Miz onto the broadcast table twice. A Draping DDT followed, but Miz countered with a Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall. Orton ultimately secured the RKO for the win, advancing to the four-way match at the Royal Rumble.
Powell’s Take: A straightforward bout with a predictable outcome, but Miz’s near fall added a spark. The match was concise, keeping the momentum alive.
Backstage, Drew McIntyre, clutching his title, was confronted by Ilja Dragunov, who congratulated him on his win. McIntyre, visibly on edge, brushed him off, promising a showdown if Dragunov won the four-way. Meanwhile, a recap of the Wyatt Sicks vs. MFTs match aired, followed by an eerie Uncle Howdy promo. Howdy, flanked by Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Nikki Cross, warned Solo Sikoa about the lantern’s true power, vowing to reclaim it.
Match 2: Women’s U.S. Champion Giulia & Kiana James vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
The match began with Bliss slapping James repeatedly, leading to Giulia tagging in and taking control. After a break, Flair rallied with a crossbody on James, but it was Bliss’s Sister Abigail on James that sealed the victory.
Post-match, Nia Jax and Lash Legend attacked Flair and Bliss, with Giulia briefly considering intervention before being pulled away by James.
Powell’s Take: A standard tag team match, with James predictably taking the fall. Notably, WrestleTix reported the venue was nearly sold out, with only 240 tickets remaining.
Hour Two opened with a MFT promo, featuring Solo Sikoa and his crew. Solo, holding the lantern, challenged the Wyatt Sicks to a title match if they wanted it back. Cody Rhodes then made his entrance, addressing his loss and declaring himself the first entrant in the Royal Rumble. He vowed to settle the score with Jacob Fatu, daring him to face him in the ring.
Powell’s Take: Finally, some Royal Rumble buzz! Cody’s pursuit of a third consecutive win is a bold narrative, though its appeal remains to be seen.
Match 3: Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams (Qualifying for the Four-Way Title Shot)
Cardona dominated early, kicking Williams through the ropes and hitting a missile dropkick. The match continued post-break, with Cardona securing the win after a springboard elbow drop.
Powell’s Take: A solid qualifier, showcasing Cardona’s resurgence.
Final Thoughts: This episode was a rollercoaster of emotions, from McIntyre’s bitter triumph to Cody’s Rumble declaration. But here’s the real question: Is McIntyre’s heel turn a genius move or a misstep? And can Cody’s gamble pay off? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one discussion you won’t want to miss!
