Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for January 16, 2026

Drew McIntyre is played to the ring by a troupe of bagpipers as he heads to the ring to start tonight's show. McIntyre says that he prayed for this and it happened, and says that while it has been a rough few years in the UK, if anyone can bring the UK together, it is him. He says that the support over the past week has been incredible, then tells the fans "screw you," saying that this is not "a bad guy wrestler bit" and that the fans are jumping on a bandwagon and were not there when things got tough. McIntyre says that there is only one person to thank - himself - saying he was the only person who believed in himself, then addresses "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, saying there will be no rematch due to a close in the contract for their last match. He proclaims that Cody's era ends now and that his era ends tonight before Randy Orton makes his way to the ring. Orton says he is not here to congratulate McIntyre; instead, he is here to remind him that since he didn't punt him in the head months ago, he will not hesitate. Orton then says that when he wins the WWE Championship again, it will be with an RKO. Suddenly, Jacob Fatu shows up and brawls with McIntyre, and McIntyre finds out the hard way that sending Jacob head-first into the ring first does nothing to Jacob. As Jacob chases McIntyre through the crowd, Orton receives a Skull Crushing Finale from behind from The Miz.

Randy Orton beats The Miz in an Undisputed WWE Championship #1 contender's Fatal Four-Way qualifier.

Backstage, Drew McIntyre runs into Ilja Dragunov, who says he will beat Sami Zayn tonight and get one step closer to the Undisputed WWE Championship. McIntyre says he will see him at Royal Rumble if he wins.

We hear from Bo Dallas, who says that Solo Sikoa stole their light only to inherit the weight of what it really means. He says it is not a weapon and that they carry it in the dark so the dark does not carry The Wyatt Sicks (Bo Dallas, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross). He says that taking the light is more powerful than its true purpose and that the light will come back to them. He states that like a moth to a flame, they will not stop until they take it back.

Backstage, Alexa Bliss is met by Charlotte Flair. Alexa says last week sucked and wants to know if Charlotte was really sick. Charlotte says she was really sick, and Alexa tells Charlotte she has her back before she leaves. Nia Jax and Lash Legend show up after Alexa leaves to try a drive a wedge between Alexa and Charlotte, but Charlotte is not having any of it.

UFC Middleweight fighter Michael "Venom" Page is seen in the front row.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss beat Giulia and Kiana James. fter the match, Nia Jax and Lash Legend show up and go on the attack, ganging up on Charlotte after laying out Alexa. Giulia shows up and confronts Nia, and Kiana has to hold Giulia back.

We hear from Solo Sikoa, who sees more than the lantern and that he can see all the fireflies in the world who are now in his possession. He states that if Bo Dallas wants the lantern back, The Wyatt Sicks (Bo Dallas, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross) must put the WWE Tag Team Championships on the line. He says his family will take back all the gold, but until then, he will take care of the lantern, and "he" is going to be with him when he takes out Damian Priest and wins the Undisputed WWE Championship.

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring. Cody says that he was not just WWE's champion, but the fans' champion, and he wanted the fans to be teammates and not just spectators. He admits that either he became complacent, or Drew McIntyre was just that good last week. He also talks about winning back-to-back Royal Rumbles, then says only one person has one three and that he loves a gamble. He states that with no rematch clause, he will do this "the old way," and declares for the men's Royal Rumble. Cody also addresses Jacob Fatu, saying he has known Jacob throughout his career, and says that he knows what "receipt" means. He says that Jacob has a receipt coming, and he can either come and take it, or he can come to Jacob and beat the brakes off his ass.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Matt Cardona. Cardona says it is a shame how Cody Rhodes lost the Undisputed WWE Championship, then says he and Drew McIntyre also go way back. He says he reinvented himself while he was gone, and he plans to become WWE Champion.

Trick Williams beats Matt Cardona in an Undisputed WWE Championship #1 contender's Fatal Four-Way qualifier. After the match, Kit Wilson heads towards the ring, calls Trick Williams "toxic," then attacks Matt Cardona as soon as Cardona turns his back before calling him toxic.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Damian Priest. Priest says he could talk all day about Drew McIntyre, but tonight is about Solo Sikoa, and his match may not be one-on-one. He says he did "one versus all" to win Money in the Bank, and he will do it again to get to McIntyre.

Kit Wilson is still in the ring as he says the fans need reassurance, leadership, and most of all, him. As Kit Wilson states that he is the solution to toxic masculinity, Jacob Fatu shows up from behind and superkicks him when he turns around. Jacob then hits Kit Wilson with a senton followed by a top rope moonsault, then tells "The Americna Nightmare" Cody Rhodes that if he has something to say about or to him, then he can get in the ring right now. Cody shows up and heads to the ring to brawl with Jacob, and referees and security show up to separate both men. General Manager Nick Aldis shows up just before the brawl starts again and the scene fades to black.

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu is official for Saturday Night's Main Event on January 24th.

Damian Priest beats Solo Sikoa in an Undisputed WWE Championship #1 contender's Fatal Four-Way qualifier after The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross) show up and chase The MFT's (Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, JC Mateo) - minus Talla Tonga, who is ejected for tripping Priest off the top rope despite the referee not seeing it - and Solo Sikoa keeps Uncle Howdy from taking the lantern back. After the match, Uncle Howdy reclaims his lantern, but he is soon taken out by a returning Talla Tonga, who reclaims the lantern for Solo before helping Solo to the back.

Backstage, Sami Zayn is met by Drew McIntyre. Sami says he is happy that McIntyre won last week, then says that he will beat Ilja Dragunov, win the #1 contender's match and see McIntyre again. McIntyre says he has beaten Sami eleven times while Sami has never beaten him, and that nothing will change. Sami says "We'll see."

Carmelo Hayes' open challenge opponent is revealed to be Leon Slater.

Carmelo Hayes retains the WWE United States Championship against Leon Slater after countering a Superplex attempt with an avalanche cutter.

Backstage, Shinsuke Nakamura is confronted by Tama Tonga, saying that he had his chance and blew it. Tama Tonga then tells Nakamura to stay out of his way. Nakamura replies to Tama Tonga in Japanese, then walks away.

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae laugh about beating up Nathan Frazer when Axiom shows up and tells them to give the mask back to save them a beating. Gargano hands the mask to Candice, then he is suddenly jumped by Nathan Frazer in an Axiom mask. Frazer tells Gargano that they have a match next week, and that after he beats respect into him, Axiom will do the same and take his mask back.

We see a vignette for Oba Femi.

Jade Cargill watches the next match from ringside.

Jordynne Grace beats Chelsea Green. After the match, Jordynne addresses Jade Cargill, stating that it is extremely important for Cargill to know what exactly is coming for her and that if she is tired of babysitting the WWE Women's Championship, she can get in the ring, right here, right now. Chelsea charges at Jordynne only for Jordynne to dodge so that Chelsea runs into Cargill instead. Jordynne looks at the WWE Women's Championship, then passes it to Cargill.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Trick Williams. Trick Williams puts all of SmackDown, saying that he is money before telling Randy Orton and Damian Priest have a match with the future of the business and that he is going to whoop that ass. Priest shows up and says that while Trick likes to do a lot of talking, he does not, and says that since the both of them are free next Friday, he is free to whoop that trick.

Sami Zayn beats Ilja Dragunov in an Undisputed WWE Championship #1 contender's Fatal Four-Way qualifier. After the match, Sami is attacked from behind by Trick Williams, who then hits Sami with the Trick Knee to end the show.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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

Thursday Night's Main Event - Main Event recap for November 27, 2025

Damien Priest beats Kit Wilson.

Alpha Academy (Otis and Akira Tozawa) beats American Made (Julius and Brutus Creed).

Raw Deal - Raw recap for November 10, 2025

WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque is in the ring to start tonight's show. Triple H says that we are living in a magical time and that everyone, whether it is fans, talent, the media or who is running things in the back, has an opinion over who the best wrestler of all times. He says that there are a lot of categories and criteria to judge who is the best by, but they are all subjective, and he has the ability to see it from many sides as a fan, wrestler, businessman and promoter. Triple H then says that tonight is one of those nights where everybody can agree on one things despite the many sides and angles he can view it from: John Cena is the single biggest asset the business has ever seen and the greatest of all time. He then introduces John Cena to the ring. Cena says that tonight is an amazing night and addresses who he would like his final opponent to be, then says that this is a team effort and that this is not possible without the fans. Cena states that his final match has been brought up a lot, but one person has asked him what to do with his retirement tour. He says he wants to leave wrestling better than he found it and that WWE have allowed him to do that and the fans have put up with him over the years. Cena says that the participants in the Last Time Is Now Tournament will be able to showcase their skills in an effort to be the one to retire him. He then proclaims that at Saturday Night's Main Event on December 13th, it will be the night that closes one chapter and gives a night of opportunity and a chance for Superstars to shine. He also says that the brightest stars NXT have to offer will be there. Cena states that this night will also pave the road head, which is what he wanted to do with this tour, then admits that he wanted to come to Boston, Massachusetts one more time after his history with WWE in the town as a fan and as a performer. As Cena tells the fans in Boston that he wanted to thank them for their support, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio suddenly shows up. Dominik speaks Spanish at the first, then wants to know what Triple H will do after his championship celebration was interrupted last week by a deadbeat, then says he interrupts "old man celebrations" and says that whatever is going on is not as important as him. Cena sizes up the situation, but Dominik says it is not about him or Boston and tells him to stay in the corner, let grown folk handle business and only speak when spoken to or else he will put him down. Cena tells Dominik "Fine speech," then tells Domink that he has forgotten where he is and who he is talking to, and while he would give Dominik a chance in any other town, he is invincible tonight in Boston, and tells Dominik to pick his words carefully or else he will lose the fight he is trying to pick. Cena tells Dominik "Wrong time, wrong place, wrong guy," then - out of the respect he has for Rey Mysterio - he will give Dominik a chance to walk back to the back. Dominik says Cena will need more than magic to touch him, because he is not even at his peak and he is better than Cena ever was in his prime. He says that at any time, any place in any era, he would have whooped Cena's ass, which leads to "You fucked up!" chants from the crowd before Triple H says that he agrees with them and says this is a good era, a good place and "a hell of a time." Triple H then puts Dominik Mysterio in a match against John Cena right here, right now with the Intercontinental Championship on the line before calling for a referee and making the match official.

John Cena beats "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio to become the WWE Intercontinental Champion and a Grand Slam Champion! During the match, the first referee is knocked out when John Cena inadvertently hits him with Dominik's feet as he goes for an Attitude Adjustment, and Cena makes Dominik submit to the STF for nothing as there is no referee. Another referee shows up, and this time, Cena is able to hit the Attitude Adjustment following the 619 and a top rope frog splash from Dominik Mysterio to win the match and the one championship that, until now, he has never held in WWE. Cena thanks the fans in Boston, Massachusetts after the match.

Backstage, John Cena is congratulated by the locker room on his victory and is personally thanked by Rey Mysterio, who says that "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio needed that ass-kicking. Cena says Dominik is a good kid and needed a lesson. "The America Nightmare" Cody Rhodes shows up and congratulates Cena before both men shake hands.

WWE acknowledges Veterans' Day.

Rusev beats Damian Priest to advance in the Last Time is Now Tournament after hitting the Machka Kick after thumbing and gouging Priest's eyes.

Backstage, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Dragon Lee talk with General Manager Adam Pearce regarding potential opponents. Dragon Lee has come up with the team name of "Dragones con Estilo." Maxxine Dupri shows up as Styles and Dragon Lee leave, and Maxxine says that while training is going well, she must take on Becky Lynch. Maxxine gets her shot at the Women's Intercontinental Championship next week. After Pearce leaves, Becky shows up and punches Maxxine before telling her she does not stand a chance.

CM Punk heads to the ring. Punk calls out Logan Paul for his actions last week so he can kick his ass, saying that he is willing to fight in the streets of Boston, Massachusetts if he has to. Logan Paul shows up and says that getting punched in the face by Floyd Mayweather is nothing compared to getting squashed by "Big" Bronson Reed, and says that if you do not conform to The Vision (Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, "Big" Bronson Reed), you are getting cracked every week. Logan says that he is not in the mood for getting cracked, then says that he thought he knew it all until he was opened to a whole new vision after being splashed by Bronson Reed. The Vision then shows up and stands beside Logan. Heyman calls Punk the single, most unlikable human being he has ever seen in his life as The Vision approach the ring, and says Punk is friendless because Punk betrays his friendships. He calls Punk a miserable bastard and the most unlikable person he has ever seen, and that he could not be any more unlikable unless his name was AJ Lee. Puk says that if AJ was here, she would leave The Vision in a puddle of piss and blood. Punk then says that all falls on him since AJ is not here, then dares all four men to get in the ring. Suddenly, "Main Event" Jey Uso shows up and stands alongside Punk, and they are joined in turn by "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. This soon starts a brawl all around the ring, and Punk almost gets his hands on Heyman. All three men lay out Bronson Reed, and The Vision have no choice but to back off.

Stephanie Vaquer retains the Women's World Championship against Raquel Rodriguez. After the match, Roxanne Perez attacks Vaquer from behind, but Nikki Bella atacks Roxanne. Vaquer and Nikki soon clean house before Nikki smacks Vaquer in the face with the Women's World Championship.

We see another vignette for WrestleMania 42 where "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and CM Punk play poker.

Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce meets with CM Punk, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. Punk says he has a team and wants The Vision (Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, "Big" Bronson Reed, Logan Paul), and when Pearce asks if he is hearing what he thinks he is hearing, Punk calls for William Regal. Regal suddenly shows up and yells "WarGames!"

Sheamus beats Shinsuke Nakamura to advance in the Last Time is Now Tournament.

It is announced that next week, the Last Time is Now Tournament continues with Je'Von Evans vs. a returning Gunther and Solo Sikoa vs. another opponent that General Manager Adam Pearce keeps a surprise.

The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) beat Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss to become the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions for a third time after Nia Jax and Lash Legend show up to pull Charlotte out of the Figure Eight and beat up Alexa Bliss when she confronts them on the outside, allowing The Kabuki Warriors to hit the double-team on Charlotte for the win and the titles. After the match, Nia and Lash attack Charlotte and Alexa. The Kabuki Warriors get back in the ring to have a staredown with Nia and Lash at first, then all four of them attack the former champions until Iyo Sky runs to the ring. Iyo fends off Nia and Lash, then hits The Kabuki Warriors with a missile drop kick. Nia and Lash soon get the upper hand and go back on the attack with The Kabuki Warriors until Rhea Ripley rushes in wearing a protective facemask and evens the numbers game. Rhea tosses Kairi out of the ring into Asuka, Nia and Lash with a Razor's Edge, then takes a microphone and yells "WarGames!"

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

Here is this week's Raw Recap!

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