January 23, 2026
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
Commentary Team: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett, and Corey Graves
Opening
Alba Fyre vs. Michin
The pyro hits, and SmackDown is live!
Michael Cole welcomes the crowd as Alba Fyre makes her way to the ring, flaming bat in hand.
Michin follows, cracking her neck, ready to scrap.
Cole: “Well folks, we’re starting hot—literally—because newcomer Alba Fyre is about to bring the heat!”
Barrett: “If Michin wants to survive and not rack up her third straight loss, she’d better dodge the fire like she dodges deadlines.”
Graves: “That’s rich, coming from you, Wade.”
Michin comes out with intensity and controls the first few minutes of the match. She is trying to get a win after her recent loses to Bayley and Lyra Valkeria.
After a fast exchange of hard strikes and a top-rope aerial display, Fyre traps Michin with a Gory Bomb into a moonsault for the win.
Winner: Alba Fyre via pinfall
Post-match, Alba grabs a mic: “I’m done with all this small stuff. It’s time SmackDown burned brighter—with me leading the blaze.”
The lights flicker ominously before cutting to black as commentary recaps her win.
Ad Break: Life and Legacy — Sneak Peek
Scene opens in a Beverly Hills parking lot.
Joey Mercury, in full security garb and aviator shades, crouches next to Nikki Bella’s pink convertible.
A loud beeping sound plays. Joey fears that someone within CEO Murrey’s camp may have planted a car bomb.
Joey Mercury: “Stay calm, stay calm… I watched 24 once. How hard can it be?”
Sweat is pouring down Joey’s face.
Joey Mercury: “I don’t understand why Pete is trying to ruin Mr. Murrey. I mean who cares who his real father is?”
He awkwardly snips a random wire with pink nail scissors he borrowed from Nikki’s purse.
The alarm stops. He sighs in relief—until the windshield wipers go off and confetti shoots from the trunk spelling “#Fearless.”
Nikki Bella (off-screen): “Joey! That was the surprise welcome-home party setup!”
Joey (panicking): “Good news! The only thing I blew up is your car’s Bluetooth!”
Cue laugh track as the camera zooms in on Joey’s mortified face.
Text on screen: “Life and Legacy — Sunday at 9 on USA Network… if Joey Mercury doesn’t destroy the set first.”
Segment Two
Contract Signing: Bayley & Tiffany Stratton
Triple H presides over a lavishly decorated contract table in the ring. Bayley, the reigning WWE Champion, enters. Tiffany Stratton struts in with glitter bombs from the ramp as the crowd chants, “Tiffy Time!”
Bayley: “You think you can waltz in with sparkles and selfies and take my spotlight?”
Tiffany: “Actually, yes, because unlike you, Bayley, I am the spotlight. You’re just standing in it.”
When Triple H slides over the contract, both sign—but Bayley flips the table, striking Tiffany with the title belt. Tiffany rebounds with a Pretty Drop, sending the champ rolling out!
Cole: “This thing is breaking down before our eyes!”
Graves: “And this is just a taste of what’s coming at the Royal Rumble!”
Tiffany holds the title high as the crowd cheers.
Backstage Interview: The Street Profits
Kayla Braxton interviews The Street Profits—Ford and Dawkins, WWE Tag Team Champions—standing beside a cooler labeled “Royal Rumble Fuel.
”Ford: “We’ve been drinking this new SmackDown shake—100% charisma, 0% patience for clowns tryin’ to steal our shine!”
Dawkins: “The champs are staying hydrated and high-flying, baby!”
Braxton: “Do you have your eyes on any challengers?”
Ford: “Whoever’s brave enough to step up. The smoke’s always free, but the price of losing? That comes due immediately!”
They walk off chanting, “We want the smoke!”
Ad Break: Royal Rumble 2026 Preview – “The Road to WrestleMania Legacy Begins”
Highlights show moments leading up to tomorrow’s event—Batista challenging Rock, Gunther and Seth staring each other down, Roman demanding Jey give him the Intercontinental title and hype for the Rumble match.
Fast cuts show Carmello Hayes and Trick Williams training together at a gym, Rey Mysterio at home hugging his wife, Zen Hogan signing autographs for disabled kids, Mr. Murrey punching a Mickey Mouse mascot at Disney World and an announcer bellows, “Legends fall, new legacies rise—Who will punch their ticket to WrestleMania Legacy?”
Main Event
United States Championship Match
Braun Strowman versus Damian Priest
Braun enters like a freight train, roaring to a thunderous boos. Priest, without the Judgment Day now that they are no longer a faction, enters alone.
The bout turns into a slugfest, with the ring shaking under every slam. Priest, nearly ends it with a South of Heaven chokeslam, but Braun powers out—his adrenaline surging.
Then… the lights flicker. Dexter Lumis slides in under the ropes, silent as shadow, distracting Priest. Erick Rowan appears from the crowd!
Cole: “It’s Lumis and Rowan! Are they here to serve Braun?!”
Barrett: “I don’t know, but Priest looks like he’s seen a ghost—and a horror movie extra!”
Braun seizes the moment with a Running Powerslam!
ONE—TWO—THREE!
Winner and STILL United States Champion: Braun Strowman
Post-match, Lumis just stares blankly at Braun… then nods once before disappearing. Rowan raises Braun’s arm as the crowd erupts.
Cole: “The Monster Among Men is on top—and is my pick to win the Rumble tomorrow night because he has some monstrous friends!”
Graves: “If I were the rest of SmackDown, I’d start sleeping with the lights on.”
The show closes with Braun roaring, U.S. title glinting in hand.
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 