McIntyre beats Cody for title! (WWE Smackdown Roundup; Jan 9, 2026)

Alright, let’s break this down. Friday Night SmackDown on January 9th, 2026, wasn’t just another show—it was the night everything in WWE got flipped upside down. Broadcast live from the packed Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, this episode felt massive from the start and delivered a genuinely shocking ending that no one saw coming.

The Main Event: A Shocking End to Rhodes’ Reign

The entire night was built around one thing: the Three Stages of Hell match for the Undisputed WWE Championship between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre. The hatred was real, especially after McIntyre’s personal attacks on Cody’s late father, Dusty Rhodes. This was the final chapter of their brutal feud.

The match was an absolute war across all three stages:

• Stage 1 (Traditional Match): McIntyre played mind games, trying to get Cody disqualified with a chair. He ultimately won the first fall with a low blow behind the ref’s back and a Claymore Kick.
• Stage 2 (Falls Count Anywhere): They brawled into the crowd and all over the arena. Cody even mocked McIntyre by taking a selfie mid-fight. Cody evened the score by delivering a huge Cross Rhodes through the announce table to win the fall.
• Stage 3 (Steel Cage): The final stage was pure brutality. Both men fought on top of the cage, with Cody hitting a Cody Cutter from the top. Just as it looked like McIntyre was about to escape, the arena went dark.

Here’s where history was made. Jacob Fatu, returning from an injury he suffered back in October, stormed the cage. He viciously attacked both McIntyre and, shockingly, Cody Rhodes when he tried to intervene. In the ensuing chaos, a battered Drew McIntyre dragged himself out of the cage door. His feet hit the floor, and just like that, after a five-year wait, Drew McIntyre was the new Undisputed WWE Champion.

The storytelling here was incredible. The “Three Stages of Hell” stipulation is supposed to prevent outside interference, so the fact that it ended that way was a huge, controversial shock that immediately sets up multiple new stories.

Trick Williams Arrives, But Gets a “Viper’s” Welcome

The show opened with a huge statement from the newest SmackDown superstar, Trick Williams. He interrupted the legendary Randy Orton, boldly telling him, “This ain’t 2006. It’s 2026”. Trick has all the confidence in the world, but Orton quickly reminded him of the pecking order, laying him out with a hanging DDT.
Trick recovered later to win his in-ring debut against the high-flying Rey Fenix, though he needed a handful of Fenix’s tights to secure the pin. It was a solid, if slightly sneaky, debut that shows WWE is serious about pushing him.

Title Defenses and New Faces

The rest of the card was stacked with championship action and fresh matchups:

• Giulia successfully defended her Women’s United States Title against Alexa Bliss, but only after heavy interference from Kiana James, Lash Legend, and Nia Jax.

• Carmelo Hayes continued his U.S. Title Open Challenge tradition, overcoming a tough fight from the legendary Shinsuke Nakamura and retaining with his Nothing But Net finisher.
• Jordynne Grace made a dominant SmackDown debut, defeating Alba Fyre. After the match, she was immediately confronted by the WWE Women’s Champion, Jade Cargill, who warned Grace that SmackDown was “her show”. A future title match seems locked in.

Faction Warfare and Future Challengers

In a battle of powerful stables, The MFTs (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, & Talla Tonga) defeated The Wyatt Sicks. Solo Sikoa gained the advantage by disrespectfully stealing the Wyatts’ lantern, leading to the win.
The new champion already has a line of contenders. Before his match, Drew McIntyre was confronted backstage by Damian Priest. Furthermore, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis announced a series of qualifying matches next week (including Randy Orton vs. The Miz and Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov) to determine a new #1 contender at the Royal Rumble.

Final Take

This was a landmark episode. It wasn’t just about a title change; it was about the chaotic way it happened, the bold debut of new stars, and the clear setup for the road to WrestleMania. Drew McIntyre is champion, but his victory is shrouded in controversy. Jacob Fatu is back with a vengeance. And a hungry new generation, led by Trick Williams and Jordynne Grace, is loudly announcing its arrival.

The energy in Berlin was electric, and that shockwave is going to ripple through WWE for months to come. What did you think of the finish? Were you happy to see Drew finally win the big one, or did the interference ruin it for you?