LONDON,ENGLAND – JANUARY 16: New Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre enters the ring during SmackDown at OVO Arena Wembley on January 16,2026 in London,England. (photo by georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty images
Despite initial skepticism, WWE SmackDown has consistently delivered since returning to a three-hour format. The heightened stakes leading into Royal Rumble and WrestleMania likely contribute to this success, as the show features emerging talent from NXT and notable championship matches.
The January 16th episode of the blue brand continued this trend, offering several high-stakes opportunities, including matches to determine contenders for a No.1 contenders match against Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship.
What stood out from this show? Let’s take a look:
What’s Next For Cody Rhodes?
WWE’s decision to award the championship to Drew mcintyre last week was a necessary move to re-establish The Scottish Warrior as a top star. However, the victory itself was less crucial than the subsequent storyline.
McIntyre instantly declared there would be no rematch for Cody Rhodes, effectively removing The american nightmare from the title picture. This opened the door for Randy Orton, who spoke of seeking revenge, before Jacob Fatu unexpectedly entered the scene.
The segment effectively conveyed that numerous wrestlers are targeting the title, fueled by the no. 1 Contenders matches and the early build towards the Royal rumble.
Rhodes later appeared to a mixed reaction, acknowledging the loss and hinting at a potential shift in his focus. He stated he would be entering the Royal Rumble, setting the stage for a new path towards WrestleMania.
