WWE Kicks Off 2026 With Returns, Title Changes, and Madness Across Raw and SmackDown

2026 has arrived and has been here for two weeks. Since then, the WWE landscape looks far different from it did last year. We’ve got title changes, unique match stipulations, debuts, and returns. Smackdown is now at three hours (for better or worse), and Monday Night Raw kicked off the New Year in a strange fashion.

The first show of 2026 kicked off at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, for Friday Night SmackDown. During the show, two surprise returns happened, along with a debut. Randy Orton is back in the fold, living up to his shirt “RKO Everybody” name. He interrupted The Miz and hit him with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment.

Later on in the show, Matt Cardona (fka Zack Ryder) was in action against Kit Wilson. Even better, he got his own theme song back.

One superstar, though, made a statement by interrupting Sami Zayn. Trick Williams is now officially a member of SmackDown. The fans chanted “Whoop that Trick” during his entrance.

Another superstar, Guilia, shocked the WWE Universe by reclaiming the Women’s United States Championship. She defeated Chelsea Green, who is rumored to have a big run in 2026. Let’s hope that Creative actually has plans for Guilia. Pairing her with Kiana James has not given her any help.

Speaking of the United States Championship, Carmelo had a successful defense against Johnny Gargano, living up to the tradition of hosting an open challenge every show.

Also in the first episode of 2026, the team of Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, and Iyo Sky defeated the Kabuki Warriors, Nia Kax, and Lash Legend in a star-studded matchup.

Then there was the main event, where Damian Priest and Aleister Black concluded their rivalry in an Ambulance match. It was the seventh time such a match existed, meant for an epic conclusion. The game featured both Rhea Ripley and Zelina Vega. Priest shut the door on a gruelling (and oftentimes dreadful) six-month rivalry by defeating Black. Let’s hope WWE finally moves on from this and gives us something new.

On to Monday Night Raw, it was a bit strange. WWE and Stranger Things collaborated to present their audience with a crossover event. This didn’t work out well and felt more like a money grab than anything. Sure, the atmosphere seemed different, but all that really happened was the demogorgons popped up as animations throughout the show.

Two title changes happened on the show, with one predictable and the other surprising. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky won the Tag titles to open the show, and hopefully they keep them for a long time.

Then, Becky Lynch captured the Intercontinental Championship again, even if it was without controversy. She held down the ropes and beat Duprii in what has to be the end of their rivalry.

In the main event, the dogs were out as Bron Breakker faced CM Punk for the top prize, the World Heavyweight Championship. Punk retained, but these two need to run it back. Perhaps Breakker wins the Royal Rumble and dethrones Punk to get a WrestleMania moment.

WWE traveled to Germany for its second SmackDown of 2026. There wasn’t much special about this show. Randy Orton and Trick Williams faced off before The Miz arrived and got RKO’d again by Orton. Williams took on Rey Fenix in his debut match and was successful.

Both the men’s and women’s US Championships were on the line, and Hayes and Guilia retained. The MFT’s led by Solo Sikoa took down Wyatt Sicks.

Jordynne Grace, just like Williams, was successful in her first WWE match after defeating Alba Fyre.

Then it was time for two bitter rivals to encounter the “3 Stages of Hell,” a match that has been done seven times in WWE. For months, the rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre has gotten personal. Drew even burned a photo of Rhodes and his dad before throwing it in the trash.

The match delivered, as these two beat the hell (pun fully intended) out of each other. The match involves three stipulations: a standard match, a falls count anywhere match, and, if needed, a steel cage match.

Drew got the first pinfall after low-blowing Cody Rhodes and giving him the Claymore while the ref was distracted.

Rhodes and McIntyre brawled into the crowd, and the champ took a selfie with a fan's phone in what I think was unscripted. Rhodes gave his rival a “Cross Rhodes” onto the announce table, and that brought the match to one pinfall each.

It only got tougher, as both opponents did their best to inflict as much damage as they could while locked in a cage.

As Drew was crawling to the door, someone came out of nowhere and shoved the ref aside. Jacob Fatu made his return after being sidelined for months with an undisclosed injury. Fatu proceeded to beat up both competitors, and McIntyre took advantage of it. The Scottish Psychopath left the cage through the door and won.

Where we go from here is a mystery, but it sure looks like SmackDown’s 3-hour era is definitely hot.

There was even an announcement made by Nick Aldis to determine the No. 1 contender for the Undisputed Champion. This Friday, four matches will take place.

The first is between The Miz and Randy Orton, where Orton should definitely get the win. Then Sami Zayn against Ilja Dragunov, where I think Zayn should be the victor en route to a first title win.

Next up is Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa. Let’s hope Priest carries his momentum and wins.

Lastly, the most intriguing matchup: Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams.

Neither can afford to lose, but look for Williams to win to cement his greatness on the blue brand.