Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for January 23, 2026

Sami Zayn heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Sami talks about how he has a chance tomorrow night to become the #1 contender for the WWE Championship when Trick Williams shows up. Trick says that he and Sami are not on the same level and that unlike Sami, he knows how to get the job done. He also mentions that the last time Sami had an opportunity at the WWE Championship in his own city, he did not get the job done, then says once again, unlike Sami, he can get the job done. Sami admits some of the things that Trick said are totally true, then reminds Trick that when he steps into the ring with him, he is in the ring with the best of the best, and that Trick will be half as good as he is in five or ten years if he is lucky. He then dares Trick to do something about it right now, but Trick says he has other things on his mind, such as a match with Damien Priest in tonight's main event, and that they can take care of things tomorrow. Suddenly, Damian Priest shows up and says that Trick is better at talking than wrestling before declaring that Trick is afraid of him and that Trick believes that if he says the wrong thing to him, he will drop him where he stands. He says that if Trick does not want to say something, then he can always do something. Trick tells Priest to mind his business when grown folks are talking and that he is not afraid of Priest, then hits Sami with the microphone where he stands and lays him out. Priest and Trick brawl, and when Sami goes for a piece of Trick, Priest shoves him out of the way only for Trick to fend them off and retreat.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Randy Orton. Orton says he has every intention of taking world championship gold for the fifteenth time, and that he will beat Sami Zayn, beat Damian Priest, whoop that Trick, fly to Saudi Arabia, and beat Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble.

In backstage footage from earlier today, Carmelo Hayes meets with Ilja Dragunov, telling him that the United States open challenge is open for him if he wants it. Dragunov says he lost to Sami Zayn and is not in the best condition, but he will still face him. Dragunov leaves, then The Miz shows up and takes exception to Carmelo and Dragunov being friends, then says that giving out title shots does not make a title prestigious. When Miz asks Carmelo what Dragunov gave him, Carmelo says that Dragunov gave him more of an opportunity than he ever did.

Carmelo Hayes retains the WWE United States Championship against Ilja Dragunov after The Miz shows up and shoves Dragunov off the top rope.

In footage from earlier today, Michael Cole interviews "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Cody looks forward to regaining the WWE Championship. On the subject of Jacob Fatu, Jacob shows up with security and General Manager Nick Aldis, who stay around as Jacob Fatu says his focus was on Drew McIntyre, who kicked his teeth down his throat. He says that Cody had to be the hero and that it got him thinking, but Cody says it looked more like acting, and that acting and not thinking got him sent to prison. Jacob Fatu says he made some terrible choices, but they made him a better man and led him to stand in front of Cody. Cody reminds Jacob that he is not WWE Champion because of him, and that their match should be for the WWE Championship. Jacob says McIntyre was already out before he showed up, and Cody reminds Jacob that he has never been in a title match. Jacob says they never made them like him, and that he is in control and not a loose cannon like some people think he is.

Backstage, Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre run into Jordynne Grace. Chelsea says that Jordynne is a star and that stars deserve a platform to shine on, and offers her a position in the Secret Hervice. When Chelsea mentions that she has a match with Jade Cargill, Jordynne says she will be at ringside.

Roman Reigns declares for the men's Royal Rumble match.

Jade Cargill beats Chelsea Green. After the match, Jordynne Grace says she has declared for the women's Royal Rumble match and that she will see her on the other side, then says that since Jade is warmed up, they can do it right now. Cargill leaves the ring, saying she will do this on her time.

Backstage, Charlotte Flair meets with Alexa Bliss. Alexa says she can focus on other titles, but Charlotte says the women's Royal Rumble is coming up soon. They both agree that tonight is about the team as Charlotte brags about winning last year.

We hear from Solo Sikoa, who says that he will not only win the men's Royal Rumble, but he will bring the WWE Championship back home. He then says that as long as he has Bray Wyatt's lantern, there is nothing Bo Dallas or Uncle Howdy can do about it.

The MFTs (Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga) beat The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis) to win the WWE Tag Team Championships! During the match, Talla Tonga shows up with Bray Wyatt's lantern after Erick Rowan fights off Tonga Loa and JC Mateo, and Loa and Mateo keep Rowan busy long enough for Talla to hit a big boot. Uncle Howdy catches up to Talla and puts him in a mandible claw, but Solo Sikoa hits him with a Samoan Spike. As the referee is not looking, Solo hits Dexter Lumis with Bray Wyatt's lantern, and Tama Tonga hits Cutthroat to win the match and the titles.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis is met by R-Truth, who declares for the Royal Rumble after putting his tumbler balls in Aldis' hands. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles meets with Nick Aldis, who is amazed that Styles is putting his career on the line against Gunther. Styles says Cena went out like a man on his shield and that Gunther was disrespectful, then says he will not let Gunther end his career. Aldis then brings out Shinsuke Nakamura, who asks Styles why he is willing to lose everything and tells him to prove that he is still phenomenal in a match against him at Saturday Night's Main Event. Styles accepts.

Nathan Frazer beats Johnny Gargano after Axiom blinds Candice LeRae with his blue mask, causing Candice to hit Johnny Gargano on the outside and giving Frazer the win. After the match, Axiom gets his mask back, but not for long, as Candice takes it back and flees through the crowd.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Nia Jax and Lash Legend. Lash says they have already proven they are the most destructive team in the women's division, and Nia says they will win the women's Royal Rumble and the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships.

Drew McIntyre heads to the ring. McIntyre says that it has been over 30 years since the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup, but Montreal now has a champion to be proud of in him. He hopes to see Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu rip each other apart, then reminds Cody that there is no rematch and that he must win the Royal Rumble to face him again. McIntyre then talks about the Fatal 4-Way #1 contender's match for the WWE Championship at Saturday Night's Main Event, and when he addresses Sami Zayn, he says that Sami's son was disappointed since he opened his eyes and realized Sami was his father. He says that he does not care who wins the Fatal 4-Way Match and wishes good luck to whoever faces him at Royal Rumble.

Backstage, Rey Fenix runs into Trick Williams, who states that he will become the Undisputed WWE Champion and will give Rey Fenix a title shot if he remembers his name.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Kit Wilson. Wilson says somebody has to clean up the toxic masculinity in the locker room, then Matt Cardona shows up and wants to know what the problem is. Wilson accuses Cardona of entitlement and toxic masculinity, and Cardona challenges him to a match in the ring.

Giulia and Kiana James beats the team of Nia Jax and Lash Legend and the team of Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss to become #1 contenders for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. During the match, Lash hits Alexa with the Lash Extension only for Charlotte to hit her with a Spear. As that happens, Kiana pins Alexa to win the match and the title shot.

Backstage, Sami Zayn runs into Damian Priest. He admits that both of them were frustrated and that he has no problem with him, then tells him he has his back. Priest tells Sami that he has this match and tells him to stay out of it. Sami says "Or what?" Priest says "You know exactly 'Or what.'" Sami says Priest does not tell him where to go this week or any week before he confronts Drew McIntyre and slaps him in the face.

Backstage, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes catches up with "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and wishes him good luck against Gunther, then notices a signed picture of Drew McIntyre on his tour bus.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Giulia and Kiana James. Giulia looks forward to becoming a double champion and winning the women's Royal Rumble to become a triple champion. Kiana James announces that this is just the beginning.

Trick Williams beats Damien Priest by disquaification During the match, Sami Zayn shows up, and later on, Trick throws Priest into Sami on the outside. When Trick throws Priest back into the ring and then gets back into the ring himself, Sami gets in the ring and attacks Trick, ending the match. After the match, Sami continues to attack Trick, then Priest shoves Sami for costing him the match. Sami and Priest brawl, and in the end, Trick is the one left standing after a Trick Shot to Priest. As Trick celebrates in the ring, however, Randy Orton gets in the ring and hits him with an RKO. Sami confronts Orton, and after a brief conversation, Orton hits Sami with an RKO to end the show.

Here are the highlights for tonight's show!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!