Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton Vs. The Miz, Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa, Jordynne Grace - Chelsea Green

Irebere Uko imicyino ya #wwesmackdown yarangiye: Trick Williams Vs. matt cardona , Carmelo Hayes Vs. Leon slater, Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair Vs. Giliua & Kiana james.

WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu booked for Saturday Night's Main Event

By Shakiel Mahjouri

 

Jan 16, 2026 at 11:02 pm ET

Cody Rhodes isn't licking his wounds after losing the undisputed WWE championship to Drew McIntyre. On WWE SmackDown, Rhodes declared his entry for the Royal Rumble and booked a match with Jacob Fatu at Saturday Night's Main Event.

SmackDown's main event scene felt alive on Friday in the aftermath of McIntyre's title win. Rhodes seeks to match "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's three Royal Rumble wins, but first he must get through Fatu in one piece. Both men have business to settle with McIntyre, but the new champion has more immediate problems. 

A series of matches is underway to determine McIntyre's first title challenger. Four singles matches -- featuring Randy Orton, Sami Zayn and Damian Priest, among others -- took place in the opening round. The four winners will meet in a No. 1 contenders match at Saturday Night's Main Event.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from OVO Arena Wembley in London.

Rhodes throws down with Fatu, sets sights on the Rumble

McIntyre opened the show, introduced by bagpipes and showered in cheers from the London crowd. It took time, but McIntyre eventually turned the adoring crowd against him, accusing them of ignoring him when The Bloodline and CM Punk were ruining his life. McIntyre, who won the undisputed WWE title last week, claimed that Rhodes wasn't entitled to an immediate rematch.

Later, Rhodes confirmed that he wouldn't get an immediate title shot. That opportunity goes to the winner of a miniature tournament. Rhodes' path back to the undisputed title goes through the Royal Rumble. Rhodes is already in rare company. Only Rhodes, Austin, Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels have won consecutive Rumbles. Of the four, only Austin has won the event three times. Rhodes will attempt to join "Stone Cold" en route to becoming world champion again at WrestleMania 42. In the meantime, he's looking for Fatu, who inadvertently cost him the undisputed title last week.

It didn't take long for the brewing rivalry to boil over. A short while after, Kit Wilson's public speech was cut short by "The Samoan Werewolf." Fatu laid out Wilson before calling out Rhodes. The two superstars exchanged blows before security intervened. Rhodes vs. Fatu was subsequently announced for Saturday Night's Main Event next week.

It's amazing what a title change can do for scenery. SmackDown feels fresher than it has in months, even though the top end of the division is mostly unchanged. WWE is wise to let McIntyre's issues with Rhodes and Fatu simmer. "The American Nightmare" and "Samoan Werewolf" can enjoy a fresh feud, while McIntyre builds prestige as the new undisputed WWE champion. Throughout the night, McIntyre interacted with various superstars in the mini tournament, including Orton and Zayn. These short segments make the WWE environment feel alive and dynamic. Grade: B+

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

No. 1 Contender's Qualifying Match -- Randy Orton def. The Miz via pinfall with an RKO. Orton advances to a fatal-four match with an undisputed WWE title shot at stake.

The Wyatt Sicks warned Solo Sikoa for stealing Bray Wyatt's lantern in a backstage vignette.

Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair def. Giliua & Kiana James via pinfall after Bliss hits a Sister Abigail DDT on James.

No. 1 Contender's Qualifying Match -- Trick Williams def. Matt Cardona via pinfall with a Trickshot. Williams advances to a fatal-four match with an undisputed WWE title shot at stake. Post-match, Kit Wilson attacked Cardona.

No. 1 Contender's Qualifying Match -- Damian Priest def. Solo Sikoa via pinfall after hitting his South of Heaven chokeslam. During the match, The Wyatt Sicks intervened to cancel out The MFTs. Priest advances to a fatal-four match with an undisputed WWE title shot at stake.

United States Championship -- Carmelo Hayes (c) def. Leon Slater via pinfall with an avalanche cutter to retain his title in an open challenge match.

Jordynne Grace def. Chelsea Green via pinfall with a powerbomb in a short match. Post-match, Grace encountered WWE women's champion Jade Cargill.

No. 1 Contender's Qualifying Match -- Sami Zayn def. Ilja Dragunov via pinfall with a Helluva Kick. Zayn advances to a fatal-four match with an undisputed WWE title shot at stake. Post-match, Williams leveled Zayn with the Trickshot.