WWE SmackDown results January 16, 2026 saw Randy Orton, Trick Williams, Damian Priest, and Sami Zayn secure crucial victories in London as WWE continued its European tour on the Road to Royal Rumble 2026.
The three-hour Friday Night SmackDown results from London at the OVO Arena Wembley featured four No.1 Contender’s Qualifying Matches for the Undisputed WWE Championship, major storyline developments involving Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes, and a standout United States Championship clash.
Below are the complete SmackDown qualifying match results from the January 16, 2026 episode in London. See the full highlights from the WWE Smackdown January 16 London episode.
Friday Night SmackDown Results – January 16, 2026 (London Show Winners)
- Randy Orton def. The Miz – #1 Contender’s Qualifying Match
- Trick Williams def. Matt Cardona – #1 Contender’s Qualifying Match
- Damian Priest def. Solo Sikoa – #1 Contender’s Qualifying Match
- Sami Zayn def. Ilja Dragunov – #1 Contender’s Qualifying Match
- Cody Rhodes declared for the Royal Rumble 2026
Drew McIntyre Sets the Tone as Undisputed WWE Champion in London
Drew McIntyre opened Friday Night SmackDown in London with a statement-making promo as the newly crowned Undisputed WWE Champion. After receiving a hero’s welcome from the crowd, McIntyre quickly shifted tone, turning on the audience and addressing his turbulent road back to the top.
McIntyre revealed that a clause had been added to his championship contract eliminating any automatic rematch, confirming that Cody Rhodes would not receive an immediate title opportunity. The declaration reshaped the title picture on the Road to Royal Rumble 2026 and set the stakes for the night’s SmackDown qualifying match results.
The segment escalated when Randy Orton confronted the champion, only for Jacob Fatu to arrive and attack McIntyre, forcing him to retreat through the crowd. The chaotic opening established McIntyre as the central figure heading into Royal Rumble season while underlining the growing list of challengers circling the Undisputed WWE Championship.
WWE SmackDown Results January 16, 2026 – London Show Recap
Below are the complete SmackDown qualifying match results from the January 16, 2026 episode in London. WWE opened SmackDown in London with newly crowned Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre receiving a hero’s welcome before quickly turning on the crowd. McIntyre revealed that a clause had been added to his contract eliminating Cody Rhodes’ automatic rematch, forcing Rhodes to rebuild his path to the title.
The segment escalated rapidly as Randy Orton confronted McIntyre, only for Jacob Fatu to arrive and attack the champion. Amid the chaos, The Miz blindsided Orton, immediately setting the stage for the first qualifying match of the night.
Randy Orton def. The Miz
Despite Miz capitalising on the earlier ambush, Orton weathered multiple Skull Crushing Finales and responded with his trademark offense. A sudden RKO sealed the victory, earning Orton the first spot in the Fatal 4-Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event to determine the No. 1 contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Trick Williams def. Matt Cardona
The clash between returning star Matt Cardona and rising talent Trick Williams proved pivotal for WWE’s future direction. After a competitive bout, Williams countered Cardona’s offense and connected with the Trick Shot to secure the pinfall. The latest SmackDown results London result firmly positioned Williams as a serious contender moving forward.
Damian Priest def. Solo Sikoa
Solo Sikoa controlled much of the match with help from MFT, while the Wyatt Sicks loomed large at ringside. As interference escalated, the factions collided, creating the opening Priest needed to land South of Heaven for the victory. Priest advanced despite continued chaos surrounding the stolen Wyatt lantern.
Sami Zayn def. Ilja Dragunov
Zayn and Dragunov delivered one of the most physical matches of the night. Dragunov was busted open early, but continued to press the action in front of a deeply invested London crowd. Zayn survived multiple near-falls before finishing the match with an Exploder Suplex followed by a Helluva Kick to secure the win.
Cody Rhodes Declares for Royal Rumble 2026 as Road to Royal Rumble Heats Up
Cody Rhodes addressed the London crowd and officially declared for the Royal Rumble 2026, committing himself to the Road to Royal Rumble after being denied an automatic title rematch. Acknowledging the lack of a rematch clause, Rhodes officially declared himself an entrant in the Royal Rumble 2026 and called out Jacob Fatu, setting up a major collision at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
SmackDown Winners and Losers: Key Takeaways from the London Show
- Randy Orton re-enters the title picture at a critical time after WWE SmackDown results London
- Trick Williams receives a major vote of confidence from WWE
- Damian Priest survives faction warfare to stay on course
- Cody Rhodes embraces the long road back to championship contention
- Ilja Dragunov continues to look like a future main-event fixture
What’s Next After SmackDown?
The SmackDown qualifying match results from London now shape the Road to Royal Rumble 2026, with four contenders advancing into the next phase of the title picture.
The four qualifying winners advance to a Fatal 4-Way match at Saturday Night’s Main Event, with the winner earning a shot at Drew McIntyre’s Undisputed WWE Championship. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes’ declaration for the Royal Rumble reshapes the title picture as WWE builds toward its first premium live event of 2026. Fans can now look ahead to the upcoming SmackDown on January 23, where additional storylines will evolve before WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIII.
For complete coverage, updates, and future match developments, visit our Royal Rumble 2026 hub.
