‘WWE Smackdown’ Review (Jan 16th 2026)
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: Randy Orton def. The Miz
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Randy Orton and The Miz clashed one-on-one for the first time in nearly 10 years, as each looked to advance in the tournament to determine Drew McIntyre’s next challenger. Orton tried to hit an RKO, but Miz somehow landed a second Skull-Crushing Finale for a two-count. Eventually, Orton connected with the RKO to win the match.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss def. Giulia & Kiana James
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss took on Women’s United States Champion Giulia and Kiana James in a battle of tag team supremacy. Giulia hit an Arrivederci knee on Flair, but Bliss broke up the pinfall. Flair tagged in Bliss, who landed a Sister Abigail out of nowhere on James to get the win. Following the bout, Nia Jax and Lash Legend stormed the ring to attack Flair and Bliss. While carrying out the ambush, Jax and Legend bumped into Giulia, who was left fuming.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Trick Williams def. Matt Cardona
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Trick Williams and Matt Cardona, two of SmackDown’s newest Superstars, clashed for a chance to enter the No. 1 Contender’s Fatal 4-Way Match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cardona nailed Williams with a running knee but could not connect when he went for the same move a second time. Williams tried to connect with the Book End, but Cardona countered it into a DDT. Williams nailed the Trick Shot to win the match and advance. After the match, Kit Wilson attacked Cardona.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Damian Priest def. Solo Sikoa
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Damian Priest and Solo Sikoa went toe-to-toe for a chance to become No. 1 Contender. Priest needed to have eyes on the back of his head as The MFTs turned the tide in Sikoa’s favor by interfering at every turn. The two Superstars brutalized each other on the outside, as Priest slammed Sikoa onto the announce table. During the match, The Wyatt Sicks attacked The MFTs while attempting to get back the lantern that was stolen last week. This distracted Sikoa, leading to a decisive South of Heaven from Priest, who advanced to Saturday Night’s Main Event. After the match, Talla Tonga clobbered Uncle Howdy with a huge boot, keeping the lantern with The MFTs.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: United States Championship – Carmelo Hayes def. Leon Slater
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
England’s own and TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater answered the United States Championship Open Challenge from Carmelo Hayes. Hayes seemed to have tweaked his left knee, favoring it as the match progressed. Slater connected with an awesome springboard Spanish fly that erupted the London crowd into a “this is awesome” chant. The Youngest in Charge landed a dazzling hurricanrana and later flew over the ring post to land a devastating plancha on the outside. Hayes fought back, executing a First 48 onto Slater, but Slater kicked out to prolong the agony for Hayes. Fighting through the pain of his injured knee, Hayes landed a top-rope cutter to win the match and retain his title.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #6: Jordynne Grace def. Chelsea Green
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Jordynne Grace battled Chelsea Green as The Juggernaut continued her dominance since her SmackDown debut. Grace landed the Direct Effect to win the match. After the match, Cargill hit the scene to have a standoff with Grace. And when Green got involved, Cargill was sent crashing to the floor, leaving Grace alone with the WWE Women’s Title.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #7: Sami Zayn def. Ilja Dragunov
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Sami Zayn and Ilja Dragunov looked to qualify for the No. 1 Contender’s Match as they battered each other in an instant classic. The Mad Dragon went for the H-Bomb, but Zayn lifted his boot to prevent it. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick, but Dragunov moved out of the way to leave Zayn open for an attack. The Mad Dragon capitalized by connecting with a Torpedo Moscow on the apron. Zayn just beat the count to make it back to the ring as Dragunov landed a powerbomb. Dragunov went for a senton, but Zayn got his knees up and hit an Exploder Suplex and the Helluva Kick to move on to Saturday Night’s Main Event. After the match, Trick Williams attacked Zayn and laid him out to send a message.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
This week’s Smackdown was a mixed bag that never quite settled into top gear, but still delivered enough highlights to keep things ticking over. The in-ring action was largely solid rather than spectacular, with several tournament matches doing their job without ever truly elevating themselves beyond “perfectly fine.” Randy Orton vs. The Miz felt more like a nostalgic checkbox than a must-see bout, while Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss continued to look like an uneasy pairing amid an increasingly busy women’s division. The real standouts came later in the night. Carmelo Hayes vs. Leon Slater was comfortably the match of the show, blending athleticism, crowd energy, and a believable injury narrative. Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov also delivered the expected intensity, rounding out the episode on a high note. Overall, this was a serviceable, occasionally exciting SmackDown – one carried by a strong top end, but weighed down by a fairly average undercard.
