The first episode of WWE SmackDown in 2026, broadcast live from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, set a blistering pace for the year with major superstar returns, championship changes, and the announcement of a brutal stipulation for a top rivalry.
Shocking Returns and a Viper's Strike
The show began in chaotic fashion as The Miz commandeered the program to voice his frustrations with WWE management. However, his monologue was cut short by a seismic return. After months away from television, Randy Orton made his way to the ring. The Miz, seeing an opportunity, attempted to broker an alliance with The Viper. Orton responded not with words, but with devastating action, laying out The Miz with his signature RKO out of nowhere to a thunderous pop from the Buffalo crowd.
Championship Action and New Faces
The in-ring action was fast and furious. The evening kicked off with an exhilarating eight-woman tag team match. The team of Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, and IYO SKY emerged victorious over the quartet of Asuka, Kairi Sane, Nia Jax, and Lash Legend. The win was sealed by a combination of Ripley's Riptide on Sane and a picture-perfect moonsault from IYO SKY.
In a surprise debut, Matt Cardona (formerly known as Zack Ryder) was announced as the newest signing for the SmackDown brand. He made an immediate impact by defeating Kit Wilson, securing the win with his classic Rough Ryder maneuver.
The United States Championship scene saw significant developments. First, champion Carmelo Hayes successfully defended his title in a critically-acclaimed match against Johnny Gargano. The match, which drew loud "This is Awesome" chants, ended when Hayes connected with the First 48 followed by Nothing But Net to retain.
However, the WWE Women's United States Championship changed hands. Challenger Giulia dominated titleholder Chelsea Green for large portions of the match. Despite a valiant effort from the champion, Giulia's relentless assault culminated in a double hook drop from the top rope and a crushing Northern Lights bomb, securing the pinfall and her second US title reign.
Main Event Mayhem and a Hellish Announcement
The most significant storyline progression came from Drew McIntyre. In a major segment, he revealed the stipulations for his upcoming clash with Cody Rhodes. Their match next week will be a Three Stages of Hell contest, a grueling series featuring a standard wrestling match, a Falls Count Anywhere match, and finally, a Steel Cage match.
The night's main event was a no-holds-barred Ambulance Match between Damian Priest and Aleister Black. The brutal contest, where the only way to win was to stuff your opponent into an ambulance, saw both men use weapons and devastating moves. The climax involved outside interference, with Rhea Ripley emerging from the ambulance to attack Black's wife, Zelina, at ringside. This distraction allowed Priest to ultimately overpower Black, hurling him from the top of the ambulance through a table below before finally loading him into the vehicle to claim the victory.
This action-packed SmackDown has set the stage for an explosive start to 2026 in WWE, with new champions, returning legends, and a promise of unparalleled violence in the weeks to come.
