‘WWE Smackdown’ Review (Jan 23rd 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: United States Championship – Carmelo Hayes def. Ilja Dragunov
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The United States Title still belongs to Carmelo Hayes after an incredible bout against former champion Ilja Dragunov. The hard-hitting affair featured the challenger receiving a nasty battle scar, but his Constantine Special lariat wasn’t enough to end the bout. Dragunov looked poised to regain the title, but The Miz appeared and derailed the Super H-Bomb, allowing Hayes to hit First 48 and retain the United States Championship. Once he realized what The Miz had done, Hayes berated The A-Lister from inside the ring.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: Jade Cargill def. Chelsea Green
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill crushed Chelsea Green in a non-title match, leading to a heated argument between the champion and Jordynne Grace.
My Score: Squash out of 5
Match #3: WWE Tag Team Championship – The MFTs def. The Wyatt Sicks
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Solo Sikoa and his right-hand man Tama Tonga rode into battle and brought the fight to Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy, leaving the champions stunned in the early goings. Gacy flipped the momentum thanks to his innovative and bizarre offense, leaving Sikoa and Tonga down in a heap. The action broke down on the outside, and Sikoa cracked Lumis with the Wyatt lantern, allowing Tonga to hit Cut Throat and win the match and the WWE Tag Team Championship.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Nathan Frazer def. Johnny Gargano
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The speedy Nathan Frazer picked up one of the biggest wins of his career as he knocked off the veteran Johnny Gargano. Candice LeRae attempted to get involved on behalf of her husband, but Axiom sprung into action. The Spanish Superstar snuck up on LeRae and put a mask on her, but when Gargano went to check on her, she struck him in confusion. This allowed Frazer to roll up Gargano to score the win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Giulia & Kiana James def. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax & Lash Legend
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Women’s United States Champion Giulia and her business associate Kiana James are the new No. 1 Contenders to RHIYO and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship after winning a Triple Threat Tag Team Match. The fast-paced action featured James hitting a stunning 401K on Nia Jax. Lash Legend caught Alexa Bliss in mid-air and planted her with a Lash Extension, but Charlotte Flair took out Legend with a Spear, allowing James to sneak in and steal the pinfall.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams (No Contest)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Sami Zayn attacked Trick Williams and Damian Priest, forcing a no-contest in the main event of SmackDown. After Williams got back to his feet, Randy Orton appeared and RKO’d the newcomer before doing the same to Zayn.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
This week’s Smackdown was a mixed bag, anchored by a genuinely strong opener and then steadily tapering off as the night went on. Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov delivered the kind of hard-hitting, big-fight energy you want from a United States Title match, even if The Miz’s involvement dulled the finish slightly. From there, things became far more uneven. Jade Cargill’s squash did its job but offered little substance, the tag title change felt rushed, and several finishes leaned heavily on distraction rather than clean payoff. Frazer beating Gargano was a nice moment, and the women’s triple threat was serviceable, but the no-contest main event fizzled rather than exploded. Not a bad show, but one that struggled to maintain momentum.
