Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for January 9, 2026

Randy Orton heads to the ring to start tonight's show. After Orton welcomes everyone to the show, Trick Williams shows up. Trick Williams talks about how everyone around the world loves him, then Orton makes it clear they are on different levels even though he sees a star in Trick. However, he questions why Trick is interrupting him, saying he does not have the brains. Trick says he respects Orton, but he will do what he has to do when it comes to brushing up against someone like him, and says that this is his era now. Trick turns his back as he says that, and Orton lets it slide that one time, saying that if it happens again, he will kick his ass. Trick slaps the microphone out of his hand, and Orton looks to see how far it went before hitting a cheap shot. Orton hits the draping DDT on Trick, but The Miz suddenly shows up and attacks Orton from behind. Orton fights back when The Miz grabs him from behind and hits him with an RKO. As Orton leaves the ring, Rey Fenix heads to the ring for the next match.

Trick Williams beats Rey Fenix after countering a roll-up with one of his own and grabbing the tights.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Giulia and Kiana James. Giulia says her title is back where it belongs, and Kiana says that Giulia is an asset with an upside that has yet to be accounted for, and that Giulia will soon dominate the market. Giulia then says that she will make an example of Alexa Bliss.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Damian Priest, who says that he and Aleister Black both won battles, but he won the war. As for what is next, he wants to vie for the WWE Championship. Drew McInytre shows up, and Priest says he knows how dangerous McIntyre is. He knows that McIntyre might become champion tonight, but if that happens, they get to go another round, and reminds McIntyre that he scrambled his brains last time. Priest leaves as Saxton interviews McIntyre, who says that Cody Rhodes' emotions are high and that he can only imagine the look on his face now that he has his gold Rolex watch that Dusty Rhodes pawned to pay for Cody's future. He says that Cody will be disqualified in the first fall and that he will need only one fall to become champion.

Backstage, Alexa Bliss calls a sick Charlotte Flair and talks about her match with Giulia when Nia Jax and Lash Legend show up. Lash thinks that Charlotte's absence is convenient for Charlotte, but Alexa says that this is something Nia would do, then tells Lash to drop Nia before she brings her down and heads to the ring for her match.

German influencer and former professional soccer (football) player Sidney Friede is seen in the front row.

Giulia retains the WWE Women's United States Championship against Alexa Bliss after the referee checks on Kiana James - who gets slapped by Alexa for getting on the ring apron - only for Lash Legend to show up and shove Alexa off the top rope as she goes for Twisted Bliss, allowing Giulia to hit the Northern Lights Bomb to win and retain. After the match, Nia Jax and Lash Legendgang up on Alexa, and Nia hits Alexa with an A-Nia-Lator.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis congratulates Jordynne Grace on signing with SmackDown when Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre show up with Chelsea demanding a championship rematch. After Nick Adlis asks Chelsea to welcome Jordynne to SmackDown, Jordynne says that she is not going to be a diva like some of the women, and Alba Fyre steps in and tells Jordynne to watch her tone. Aldis makes a match between Alba and Jordynne, and tells Chelsea to help Alba get ready. Kit Wilson shows up as Jordynne, Chelsea and Alba Fyre leave, demanding a match, but Nick Aldis slams the door in his face when he says he will think of something.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Matt Cardona. Cardona says it has been six years, but he is glad to be back after reinventing himself on the road back to WWE. He then notices "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, telling him he has the match with Drew McIntyre under control, then says he is back for the WWE Championship. Cody says they will talk when he is done with Drew McIntyre.

The MFTs (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga) beat The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis) in an eight-man tag match after Solo grabs Uncle Howdy's lantern, distracting Uncle Howdy and allowing Tama Tonga to hit the Cutthroat for the win.

Backstage, The Miz runs into Carmelo Hayes, saying he has gotten a championship opportunity and that when he wins that and wins Carmelo's United States title, he will become a three-time Grand Slam Champion. Carmelo Hayes says he will see The Miz at the open challenge, but The Miz reminds him of what Randy Orton did to him. Carmelo gives The Miz another week to prepare after joking with him, then runs into Ilja Dragunov and tells him he is holding the open challenge right now, and Dragunov tells Carmelo they will fight again in another time and place. He then says that he is going to talk to General Manger Nick Aldis about something different.

We see a vignette for Oba Femi.

Jordynne Grace beats Alba Fyre in her SmackDown debut after throwing Alba into Chelsea Green when Chelsea gets on the apron. After the match, Jade Cargill shows up and gets a good look at Jordynne, then tells Jordynne that she is on her show and that she is that bitch.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Sami Zayn. Sami Zayn says a small part of him wants Drew McIntyre to win tonight, as he is the one person he has never beaten, and beating him for the WWE Championship sounds great. He is also rooting for Cody, calling him a great friend and champion, and that he wants to test himself against the very best. He says that if he had to choose, his money is on Cody. Sami then proclaims that regardless of who wins, he is waiting on the other side.

Backstage, Nathan Frazer is met by Axiom, who is not in his gear and is wearing the blue mask that Johnny Gargano that stole. It turns out to be Gargano in disguise, and he and Candice LeRae go on the attack until the real Axiom chases them away.

Carmelo Hayes' open challenge opponent is revealed to be Shinsuke Nakamura.

Carmelo Hayes retains the WWE United States Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Cody says that he is the one making the comeback, not Dusty Rhodes, and that nobody realizes this until it is too late. He hopes to beat Drew McIntyre before looking forward to the Royal Rumble.

General Manager Nick Aldis talks about tonight's main event: the Three Stages of Hell Match. He then announces that next week in London, there will be four qualifying matches, with the winners facing off against each other at Saturday Night's Main Event to face the WWE Champion at Royal Rumble.

Drew McIntyre beats "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell Match to become the Undisputed WWE Champion! Drew McIntyre wins the first stage - a straight wrestling match - after ripping off a turnbuckle cover and kicking Cody in the groin before hitting a Claymore Kick. Cody Rhodes wins the second fall - a falls count anywhere match - following a Cross Rhodes through the announce table. Drew wins the third stage - a steel cage match - after Drew McIntyre tries to escape the cage only to be attacked by a man in a black hoodie, who reveals himself to be Jacob Fatu. As Jacob attacks McIntyre, Cody steps in only for Jacob to also attack him. As Jacob hits Cody with a Superkick, McIntyre tumbles out of the cage, winning the third and final stage and becoming the Undisputed WWE Champion.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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