WWE SmackDown Electrifies Montreal with Championship Changes and Rumble Hype
WWE Friday Night SmackDown delivered a thrilling episode from the iconic Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on January 23. Serving as the final show before the highly anticipated WWE Saturday Night's Main Event scheduled for the same arena, the night was packed with championship coronations, intense rivalries, and significant announcements that set the stage for future showdowns.
New Tag Team Champions Crowned in Chaotic Fashion
The WWE Tag Team Championships changed hands in a tumultuous match that saw Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga challenge Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy of the Wyatt Sicks. With both factions present ringside, chaos quickly erupted into a massive brawl. In the closing moments, Tama Tonga cleverly distracted the referee, allowing Sikoa to strike Lumis with Uncle Howdy's lantern. Tonga followed up with a devastating Cut Throat clothesline to secure the pinfall, crowning himself and Sikoa as the new WWE Tag Team Champions in a victory that left the Wyatt Sicks faction reeling.
Key Matches and Segments Build Towards Major Events
The evening kicked off with hometown hero Sami Zayn energizing the Montreal crowd ahead of his No. 1 contender Fatal 4-Way match at Saturday Night's Main Event. His segment was interrupted by opponents Trick Williams and Damian Priest, leading to a heated brawl that set the tone for the night.
In other action, Carmelo Hayes successfully defended his US title against former champion Ilja Dragunov in an open challenge, though the win was tainted by interference from The Miz at ringside. Jade Cargill dominated Chelsea Green in a non-title match, showcasing her power before being confronted by Jordynne Grace, who announced her entry into the Royal Rumble match.
Johnny Gargano faced Nathan Frazer in a singles match stemming from Gargano's theft of Axiom's mask. Frazer emerged victorious to reclaim the mask, but it was short-lived as Gargano's wife, Candice LeRae, swiftly took it back, extending their ongoing feud.
Women's Tag Team Contenders and Main Event Drama
A triple threat tag team match determined the next No. 1 contenders for the WWE Women's Tag Team titles, featuring Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, Lash Legend & Nia Jax, and Kiana James & Giulia. After an explosive bout, Kiana James speared Lash Legend and pinned a fallen Alexa Bliss to earn her team a future title shot, adding another layer to the competitive women's division.
The main event saw Damian Priest clash with Trick Williams in a highly captivating match. The contest ended in disqualification when Sami Zayn attacked Williams, leading to a post-match confrontation. Randy Orton then made a shocking appearance, delivering RKOs to both Zayn and Williams to close the show, leaving the Montreal audience in awe and setting up potential rivalries for the Royal Rumble.
Looking Ahead: Royal Rumble and More
Significant announcements included the confirmation of Roman Reigns' return to compete in the 30-man Royal Rumble match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the setup for AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura at Saturday Night's Main Event. With new champions crowned and storylines intensifying, this episode of SmackDown successfully built momentum for upcoming WWE spectacles, keeping fans eagerly anticipating the next developments in the world of professional wrestling.
