The first European stop of 2026 for WWE Friday Night SmackDown was nothing short of legendary. Originating from a sold-out Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, the January 9 episode delivered a seismic shift in the WWE hierarchy. From shocking title changes to high-profile debuts and the return of a monster, the Road to the Royal Rumble has officially been blown wide open.
The Scottish Warrior’s Redemption: Three Stages of Hell
The evening was headlined by one of the most brutal stipulations in wrestling history: a Three Stages of Hell match for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Cody Rhodes put his title on the line against his most bitter rival, Drew McIntyre, in a match divided into three distinct phases.
- Stage One (Traditional Match): The “American Nightmare” started with high-energy offense, but McIntyre proved he was willing to go to any lengths. While the referee was distracted by an exposed turnbuckle, McIntyre landed a low blow followed by a thunderous Claymore Kick to secure the first fall.
- Stage Two (Falls Count Anywhere): Rhodes roared back in the second stage, taking the fight into the German crowd to where Rhodes sticks a canna down McIntyre’s throat. The brawl ended back at ringside where Cody delivered a spectacular Cross Rhodes through the announce table, evening the score at 1-1.
- Stage Three (Steel Cage Match): With the cage lowered, both men were running on fumes. In the closing moments, as Cody was inches from escaping the cage, the arena went dark. Jacob Fatu made his shocking return to WWE, entering the cage and laid waste to both men. During the carnage, McIntyre capitalized on the distraction, scurrying through the cage door to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion.
Trick Williams Puts the Roster on Notice
The show opened with a massive pop for Randy Orton, but the mood shifted quickly when Trick Williams made his first official appearance as a member of the SmackDown roster. Williams didn’t show the veteran any respect, telling Orton, “This isn’t 2006, it’s 2026. Let’s talk about it.”
Williams later backed up his words in his main roster debut against the high-flying Rey Fenix. In a high-octane encounter, Williams proved he has a “by any means necessary” attitude, reversing a roll-up and grabbing a handful of Fenix’s tights to secure his first blue-brand victory.
Title Defenses and Debuts
The mid-card was packed Smackdown with championship action and a highly anticipated debut:
- Women’s US Championship: Giulia defended her title against Alexa Bliss. Bliss looked to have the match won with a DDT, but interference from Lash Legend (who shoved Bliss off the top rope) allowed Giulia to hit the Northern Lights Powerbomb to retain.
- Men’s US Championship: Carmelo Hayes continued his “Melo Don’t Miss” tour, defeating Shinsuke Nakamura. Despite Nakamura targeting Hayes’ knee throughout the match, Hayes hit the First 48 followed by Nothing But Net to keep his gold.
- Jordynne Grace’s Arrival: “The Juggernaut” Jordynne Grace officially signed with SmackDown and made short work of Alba Fyre. Her celebration was cut short, however, when Jade Cargill confronted her in the aisle, signaling a massive power struggle looming in the women’s division.
The Power Shift: MFT vs. The Wyatt Sicks
In an eerie and violent eight-man tag team match, Solo Sikoa’s MFTs (Talla Tonga, Tama Tonga, and JC Mateo) faced off against The Wyatt Sicks. The match was chaotic and psychological, ending when Solo Sikoa did the unthinkable: he snatched Uncle Howdy’s lantern from ringside. The distraction allowed Tama Tonga to hit the Flatliner for the pin. Sikoa leaving with the lantern suggests a terrifying shift in the supernatural balance of SmackDown.
What’s Next?
The fallout from Berlin continues next week. With Drew McIntyre as champion, Nick Aldis has already announced a Fatal Four-Way Number One Contender’s Match featuring Trick Williams, Randy Orton, Damian Priest, and Solo Sikoa.
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