WWE SmackDown Recap: Orton’s Return, Cody’s Rage, and a Hellacious Start to 2026
If you thought WWE was going to ease into the new year with a gentle hangover cure, you were dead wrong. The first SmackDown of 2026 didn’t just knock on the door. It kicked it down, set it on fire, and then RKO’d it for good measure.
From the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, we saw the return of a legend, the unhinging of a champion, and an Ambulance Match that probably violated several OSHA regulations. Let’s break down the madness.
The Viper Strikes (and Miz Cries)
The SmackDown show opened with The Miz doing what he does best: complaining. Look, I get it. If I spent my 2025 getting overshadowed and didn’t get a retirement match against John Cena, I’d be salty too. Miz aired his grievances like it was Festivus, taking shots at everyone from Timothée Chalamet to the Buffalo Bills (low blow, Mike).
But the “A-Lister” made the classic mistake of crowning himself the locker room leader while standing in a ring that Randy Orton can access. The Viper returned to a deafening pop, played nicely for about 30 seconds, and then delivered the inevitable. Two RKOs later, Miz was staring at the lights, and Orton reminded everyone that while form is temporary, the RKO is permanent.
Matt Cardona Comes Home
Speaking of returns, can we talk about Matt Cardona? The man formerly known as Zack Ryder has spent the last six and a half years reinventing himself on the indies, becoming a legitimate “God” of the scene. Seeing him back in a WWE ring, smashing Kit Wilson with a Rough Ryder, felt like vindication.
He’s not just the “Woo Woo Woo” guy anymore. He’s a seasoned vet who knows exactly who he is. Wilson tried his best with the “toxic masculinity” shtick, but Buffalo was ready for the prodigal son. Cardona picked up the W, and honestly? It’s about time.
The Future is Trick Williams On Smackdown
Sami Zayn was out there pouring his heart out as he does, talking about his son, asking why daddy hasn’t won the big one yet. It was heartbreaking stuff. Genuine human emotion. Then Trick Williams’ music hit, and the energy shifted entirely. Trick debuted with the swagger of a guy who knows he’s the future.
He didn’t care about Sami’s sob story; he cared about the WWE Championship. “Tricky 2 Times” stood toe-to-toe with Zayn and didn’t blink. While Sami got the last word physically, Trick won the war of presence. That kid is going to be a problem for the roster.
A Technical Masterclass: Hayes vs. Gargano
If you like wrestling where guys move faster than the refresh rate on your TV, Carmelo Hayes vs. Johnny Gargano was your SmackDown jam. This was a sprint. Gargano is the ultimate babyface workhorse, and Melo is the cocky champion who can back it up.
Despite Candice LeRae trying to get involved, Hayes retained the U.S. Title with “Nothing But Net.” It was the kind of match that reminds you why the mid-card belts are often the workhorse titles. Hayes is on a rocket ship right now.
Cody Snaps and Drew Burns Bridges
We knew Drew McIntyre was going to pick some nasty stipulations for the “Three Stages of Hell” match, but nobody expected him to go full supervillain.
- Straight Wrestling Match.
- Falls Count Anywhere.
- Steel Cage.
Brutal? Yes. But it was the psychological warfare that stole the show. Drew didn’t just trash-talk. he burned a photo of Cody and the late Dusty Rhodes. It was uncomfortable to watch. It sparked something primal in Cody, who tried to tear through security to get to him. This isn’t just about a belt anymore; McIntyre made it personal in the ugliest way possible.
Ambulance Match Carnage
The main SmackDown event saw Damian Priest and Aleister Black trying to murder each other around an ambulance. We saw fireballs (yes, literal fire), glass shattering, and tables breaking. But the headlines go to Mami’s return. Rhea Ripley burst out of the back of the ambulance to neutralize Zelina Vega, clearing the path for Priest. The finish was pure chaos: Priest chokeslammed Black off the roof of the ambulance through a table.
It was the kind of spot that makes you wince and cheer at the same time. Priest shut the doors, winning the war and ending the feud. Grade: A- SmackDown is officially 3 hours long now, which is a lot of wrestling, but if they keep pacing it like this, will it be a lot of wrestling? We might just be okay.
