WWE SmackDown Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reactions and Highlights Before SNME 42

Chris MuellerJan 23, 2026

Welcome to Bleacher Report's live coverage of WWE SmackDown on January 23.

This is the final episode before Saturday Night's Main Event and the penultimate episode before the Royal Rumble next weekend, so WWE is in full hype mode for the upcoming events.

Here's a look at what was advertised for Friday's show:

Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams

Carmelo Hayes U.S. title open challenge

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax and Lash Legend vs. Giulia and Kiana James (No. 1 Contender's match for women's tag titles)

The Wyatt Sicks vs. MFTs (Men's tag titles)

Jade Cargill vs. Chelsea Green

Let's take a look at what went down on the blue brand this week.

The Hometown Hero

1 of 10

Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images

As usual, SmackDown opened with shots of Superstars walking backstage before going live into the arena. Zayn's music hit and he came out to a big pop from the French-Canadian crowd.

He talked about having a chance to become the No. 1 contender tomorrow night, but he was quickly interrupted by Williams. He said Zayn isn't on his level and won't leave SNME with the win.

Zayn agreed that they are not on the same level, but it's because Zayn is the best of the best while Williams is still trying to reach his potential. Williams said he would fight Zayn right now but he has to worry about his match with Priest, which brought The Archer of Infamy to the ring.

He speculated that Williams is scared of him and that is why he didn't try to talk trash to him last week when they ran into each other. Trick Willy nailed Zayn with the mic, but Priest blocked his shot and started unloading on him.

Williams ended up pushing Priest into Zayn before escaping the ring. This was a run-of-the-mill talking segment, but they did a decent job making it entertaining. It followed a predictable pattern.

Grade: B-

Notable Moments and Observations

Booking Zayn on any show in Canada is always guaranteed to make the crowd go nuts.

Williams taking off his big fur coat to reveal a smaller coat beneath it was funnier than it was meant to be.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov

2 of 10

Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: Dragunov lost to Zayn (SD, Jan 16), Hayes defeated Leon Slater (SD, Jan. 16)

WWE aired a backstage moment from earlier in the day that showed Hayes agreeing to put the U.S. title on the line against Ilja Dragunov in a rematch that kicked off the action on the show.

This was their third encounter on the main roster and sixth overall with their NXT matches included, so they know each other well and wasted no time getting into it. Neither man had a clear advantage and they took each other out with simultaneous clotheslines as the show cut to a break.

Dragunov had a cut near his eye from his match against Zayn that opened up again during this bout, but it never seemed to slow him down.

Just like every previous time these two have crossed paths, they put on a fun and fast-paced match that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Sometimes you find a pair that is incapable of putting on a bad performance, and this seems to be one of those pairs.

They fought through two breaks and had plenty of time to work, so they were able to make this just as fun as their previous matches. Sadly, it ended with some controversy when The Miz interfered and cost Dragunov the match.

Once Melo spotted The Miz at ringside, he was upset. It looks like this was done so The Miz can get a match in the future instead of helping his former partner.

Result: Hayes defeated Dragunov

Grade: A-

Notable Moments and Observations

Dragunov needs to have a main roster match against Gunther soon. It's been too long since they had one.

The narrower entranceway gave the show a more intimate feel.

Dragunov had a 3-2-1 record against Hayes going into this bout, with their draw happening during an episode of WWE Speed.

The double clothesline spot rarely looks convincing, but they made it work for them.

Dragunov hitting the deadlift superplex from the middle rope was a pretty impressive move.

Hayes questioning what is wrong with Dragunov to keep him fighting was funny.

A Pre-Match Meeting of the Minds

3 of 10

Eric Johnson/WWE via Getty Images

Cody Rhodes gave a backstage interview with Michael Cole about facing Jacob Fatu tomorrow night. Fatu interrupted the interview and said he was only focused on Drew McIntyre when he cost Rhodes the title.

Rhodes brought up Fatu's prison record and said he has a history of not thinking in advance. Fatu said his choices have made him a better man, but Rhodes still blamed him for losing the title.

Fatu said he's not like the other Samoans Rhodes has faced and he is more in control than everyone thinks.

This was a really good segment. It didn't overstay its welcome and made both guys look like they had something to gain from this bout. This instantly raised the profile of the match, which isn't easy to do in one segment.

Grade: B+

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report2h

Bleacher Report6h

Bleacher Report4h

Chelsea Green vs. Jade Cargill

4 of 10

Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: Green lost to Jordynne Grace (SD, Jan. 16), Cargill defeated Alba Fyre (SD, Dec. 5)

Green was shown trying to recruit Grace into her Secret Hervice, and Grace only agreed because she would get to be there for Cargill's match against Green tonight. Jade and Jordynne had a brief encounter at ringside that allowed Green to hit a suicide dive and surprise the champion.

Once they got into the ring and Cargill had a little time to recover, she beat Chelsea down in the corner and then did push-ups in her face to taunt her.

Even though she came into this as a clear heel, Green had the Canadian crowd's support, which was increased by the fact that Cargill is a bigger heel right now.

Cargill ended up winning the match in just a few minutes, but the action we got in those few minutes was pretty good thanks to Green's efforts. Grace grabbed a mic and promised to challenge Cargill after she wins the Royal Rumble unless she was up to put her title on the line right there.

Jade didn't entertain the offer and left, but it's clear WWE is working toward the two powerhouses going to battle.

Result: Cargill defeated Green

Grade: C+

Notable Moments and Observations

Green's Mountie gear was awesome.

The suicide dive from Green looked great. It was a genuinely surprising moment.

Green might have taken some recent comments made by Michael Hayes on WWE Unreal personally. It looked like she was trying even harder than usual.

The Wyatt Sicks vs. MFTs

5 of 10

Mike Marques/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: MFT defeated Wyatt Sicks (SD, Jan. 9)

The men's tag titles were on the line when Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis defended the titles against Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga. Talla Tonga took the lantern to the back so the Wyatts couldn't take it back from them.

Tama and Gacy started trading shots as soon as the bell rang. Gacy was cornered and Solo tagged in to dish out some punishment before bringing Tama back in.

Lumis came in and took control with a flurry of offense, but the MFTs took control again during the break. When we returned, Gacy got the hot tag and started going on a rampage.

Erick Rowan ended up taking out JC Mateo and Tanga Loa at ringside, but he saw Talla come back with the lantern and got distracted. Uncle Howdy almost got the lantern back, but Sikoa stopped him with a Samoan Spike.

He used the lantern to hit Lumis behind the ref's back, paving the way for Tama to hit his finisher for the pin and the win.

This was a decent match but it fell apart a little at the end with all of the shenanigans at ringside. Having the titles off the Wyatts will hopefully lead to a more competitive tag division on SmackDown again.

Result: The MFTs defeated The Wyatt Sicks

Grade: C+

Notable Moments and Observations

Most of the MFTs did not paint their face since they were not in action.

Does anyone else miss Lumis and Indi Hartwell together? We do.

Nathan Frazer vs. Johnny Gargano

6 of 10

Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: DIY defeated Fraxiom (SD, Nov. 21)

Unfortunately, Tommaso Ciampa is leaving WWE, so that has left Johnny Gargano alone in his feud against Axiom and Nathan Frazer, so it was just a one-on-one match with Gargano and Frazer this week.

The match started with a few standard moves before the picked up the pace with Frazer running the ropes as fast as possible before taking Johnny Wrestling off his feet.

These are two guys who have a slot of similarities in their wrestling style, so it took them no time at all to find their groove and turn this into a competitive fight.

Unfortunately for Gargano, Candice LeRae accidentally cost him the match when she hit him instead of Frazer, which allowed Frazer to get the pin. Axiom tried to reclaim his mask, but LeRae ran off with it.

Other than the ending, this was a pretty solid match. It looks like this feud will continue for now, which isn't a bad thing, but Gargano may need a new partner.

Result: Frazer defeated Gargano

Grade: B+

Notable Moments and Observations

AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura agreed to a match tomorrow night during a backstage segment.

They should have just let Gargano keep his old theme song. His current one is awful by comparison.

Wade Barrett accused Axiom of being Chad Gable.

Drew McIntye Speaks

7 of 10

Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images

After the break, McIntyre came out looking incredibly pleased with himself as he carried the WWE Championship over his shoulder.

He mocked Rhodes and Fatu's segment from earlier in the show and said he can't wait to watch them tear each other apart.

He then spoke about the four men who are competing tomorrow for a title shot against him. He wished Williams luck but talked some trash about Orton and Priest.

This was a pretty short promo, but it accomplished what it needed to accomplish. There's not much more to say about it.

Grade: C+

Flair and Bliss vs. Giulia and James vs. Legend and Jax

8 of 10

Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images

Three teams competed for a tag title shot against Ripley and Sky. Flair and Bliss, Legend and Jax, and Giulia and James were the competitors involved.

James, Legend and Flair started for their teams. They only had a couple of minutes before the break, but they used a quick pace to pack in a lot. Bliss took down all four of her and Charlotte's opponents with a dive from the top rope to the floor as the show cut to the commercial.

This had a healthy mix of newer and veteran talent, but it felt like al three teams were on an even playing field, which worked to this match's advantage because it made the outcome harder to predict.

While they all brought a lot of energy to the ring, this bout had a couple of moments that looked sloppy or mistimed.

James ended up stealing the win for her team by pinning Bliss after Legend had already hit her finisher.

Result: James and Giulia won

Grade: C+

Notable Moments and Observations

Kit Wilson and Matt Cardona had a backstage segment that implied they will have a match next week.

James has so much potential that is being wasted with this character. She is a great athlete and has a lot of charisma, but it all feels too gimmicky.

It sounded like Jax was displeased with how a spot went. She could be heard saying, "Well, that went well," in a sarcastic tone.

James was overselling the chops from Charlotte. It was kind of funny.

Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams

9 of 10

Andre Timms/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: Priest defeated Solo Sikoa (SD, Jan. 16), Williams defeated Matt Cardona (SD, Jan. 16)

Priest was shown telling Zayn to stay out of his match tonight during a tense backstage segment. Zayn said if Williams does something he doesn't like, he will do something about it. As Zayn was walking away, he saw McIntyre and slapped him in the face.

Priest stepped into the ring with Williams for the main event a few minutes later. While the former world champion took control in the first lockup, it didn't take Williams long to fire back with some shots of his own.

Zayn came out to watch the action up close before the show cut to a break, but he didn't get involved in the action. We returned to see Trick Willy controlling the pace until both men knocked each other down with kicks at the same time.

Zayn ended up going after Williams after an encounter at ringside, which caused the ref to call for the bell. All three men fought until Orton showed up and took out Williams with an RKO out of nowhere.

This was a solid match with an ending that left a lot to be desired, especially after some other dirty finishes earlier in the show.

Result: Priest wins by DQ

Grade: B-

Notable Moments and Observations

We got another video for Oba Femi but still no word on when he will arrive, so it may be a semi-surprise Royal Rumble debut.

It was hard to tell but WWE may have tweaked Williams' entrance music. It sounded like it had more horns than usual.

It's always fun when Priest gets to fight someone as big as he is. It feels like he lets loose a bit.

The double kick spot didn't look very good. Priest was barely hit but still sold it.