WWE 2026 kickoff: returns and title changes shake up Raw and SmackDown

The start of 2026 has already reshaped WWE’s playing field. In the first two weeks of the year, the product saw surprise comebacks, fresh faces making statements, sudden title swaps and high-stakes stipulation matches — all while SmackDown settles into a three-hour format and Raw experiments with cross-promotional spectacles.

Crowds at the Barclays Center and venues across Europe witnessed moments that could steer storylines toward WrestleMania season: established stars reasserted themselves, new additions grabbed attention, and a few long-running rivalries reached violent, cinematic conclusions.

Brooklyn’s SmackDown: returns, debuts and a shock title change

Highlights from the first Friday of 2026

• Randy Orton made an immediate impact on his return, interrupting The Miz and delivering an RKO that drew huge reaction from the crowd.
• Matt Cardona — formerly known as Zack Ryder — appeared in-ring against Kit Wilson and reclaimed his classic entrance music, signaling a push to restore his former identity.
• Trick Williams interrupted Sami Zayn and was officially added to the SmackDown roster, with fans chanting “Whoop that Trick” during his entrance.
• Guilia shocked many by winning the Women’s United States Championship from Chelsea Green, reclaiming gold that could elevate her if creative gives her direction beyond the Kiana James pairing.
• Carmelo successfully defended the United States Championship in an open-challenge-style defense against Johnny Gargano.
• A stacked women’s tag encounter saw Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky top the Kabuki Warriors, Nia Jax and Lash Legend.
• The main event ended an intense chapter: Damian Priest defeated Aleister Black in an Ambulance match, closing a feud that had stretched for months.

Raw’s Stranger Things tie-in and two title switches

The Monday night landscape took a different tone when WWE partnered with Stranger Things for a themed episode of Raw. The crossover leaned heavily on atmosphere — animated demogorgons appeared throughout the broadcast — but many viewers felt the segment came off as a merchandising push rather than an organic storyline enhancer.

Two belts changed hands during the show:

• Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky captured the Women’s Tag Team Championships early in the night, adding another chapter to their dominant run.
• Becky Lynch won the Intercontinental Championship from Duprii in a match that effectively closed that rivalry.

In the main event, CM Punk retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker. The contest suggested a rematch is in order — and left the door open for Breakker to chase a marquee moment heading into the Royal Rumble.

SmackDown heads to Germany: fresh matchups and consolidation

The second SmackDown of 2026 visited Germany and kept the momentum rolling for several newcomers while protecting established names.

• Randy Orton and Trick Williams crossed paths again, and Orton once more left The Miz on the receiving end of an RKO.
• Trick Williams kicked off his in-ring SmackDown career with a win over Rey Fenix, continuing his hot start on the blue brand.
• Both the men’s and women’s United States Championships were successfully defended — Hayes and Guilia held their respective titles.
• The MFTs, led by Solo Sikoa, scored a victory over the Wyatt Sicks faction.
• Jordynne Grace also picked up a win in her WWE debut against Alba Fyre.

“Three Stages” chaos: Rhodes vs. McIntyre and Jacob Fatu’s return

A long-simmering, personal rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre reached its violent crescendo in a Three Stages of Hell match — a trilogy of stipulations designed to produce a definitive winner. The bout unfolded as follows:

• Stage One: A standard match that ended when McIntyre hit a low blow and followed with a Claymore to score the opening pinfall.
• Stage Two: A Falls Count Anywhere segment that spilled into the crowd. Rhodes rallied, landed a Cross Rhodes onto the announce table and tied the contest at one fall apiece.
• Stage Three: A steel cage brawl where both men tried to inflict maximum damage before attempting to escape.

The dramatic moment came late when Jacob Fatu — returning after months out with an undisclosed injury — interrupted proceedings by shoving the referee and assaulting both competitors. McIntyre capitalized, exiting through the cage door and securing the victory. Fatu’s comeback instantly reshapes the upper-card landscape and introduces new variables for both Rhodes and McIntyre moving forward.

Road to a contender: the No. 1 contender mini-tournament announced

Nick Aldis declared a multi-match slate to determine the next challenger for the Undisputed Championship. This Friday’s four-match lineup features several high-profile pairings and could set up major title pictures heading into the spring.

1. The Miz vs. Randy Orton — expectation: Orton should be the favorite, given his momentum.
2. Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov — expectation: a win for Sami Zayn would put him on track for a first world title run.
3. Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa — expectation: Priest should maintain momentum after his recent high-profile feud wins.
4. Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams — expectation: a defining moment for SmackDown’s new star, with Trick Williams projected to come out on top.

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John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.