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Zack Ryder Signs With WWE, Returns As Matt Cardona On SmackDown (Video)

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Zack Ryder Matt Cardona Article Pic 3 WrestleFeed App

Below are the results from tonight’s SmackDown, featuring Randy Orton, Matt Cardona, Trick Williams, 3 Stages of Hell update, a new champion being crowned, an Ambulance Match and more.

– The Miz kicked off the first WWE SmackDown of 2026. He is upset with how 2025 went for him. Miz claimed he should’ve been given a match against John Cena in his Retirement Tour, that he should’ve been given respect by his peers, that he was passed over for the role of Marty Supreme for Timothée Chalamet, and was disrespected on the last SmackDown of 2025. Randy Orton made his return and took out The Miz with an RKO.

Orton met Cody Rhodes backstage and said that after Cody beats Drew McIntyre in Berlin in their 3 Stages of Hell match next week, he’s coming for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

– Nia Jax and Lash Legend said The Kabuki Warriors will owe them a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match after they help them win tonight.

– Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss def. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), Nia Jax, and Lash Legend

– Nick Aldis was talking to NXT star Jordynne Grace about joining the SmackDown roster. Chelsea Green interrupted and isn’t happy about defending the Women’s U.S. Title against Giulia tonight.

– Zack Ryder returned to WWE TV as Matt Cardona. Michael Cole announced on commentary that Nick Aldis told him that Cardona has signed with WWE and is officially part of the roster.

– Matt Cardona def. Kit Wilson

– Damian Priest said he will end his feud with Aleister Black tonight in an Ambulance Match in the main event.

– Uncle Howdy said Wyatt Sicks are ready to chop down Solo Sikoa’s Family Tree.

– Sami Zayn vowed that 2026 will be the year he will win a World Title in the WWE and promised to do it for his son. NXT star Trick Williams, who has officially joined SmackDown, interrupted and announced that he and Sami are not the same, and it will not take him 20 years to win a World Title like Sami. Sami said Trick is not the first person to look down on him, and has no problem humbling Trick in the ring. Later in the show, Trick had an argument with Rey Fenix backstage and Nick Aldis booked Trick’s official SmackDown debut match against Fenix on next week’s SmackDown.

– Carmelo Hayes agreed to give Ilja Dragunov a rematch for the United States Championship. Carmelo also had the following conversation with The Miz:

Carmelo: I just gotta tell you – this wouldn’t be possible without you. Thank you.

Miz: You finally came to your senses!

Carmelo: Thank you for finally leaving me alone, ’cause I’ve been better since, dawg.

– United States Championship Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) def. Johnny Gargano to retain the title

– WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill said he intentionally injured Michin’s shoulder at a Live Event. Jordynne Grace interrupted. Jade told Jordynne to sign somewhere else because this is her show and she’s that b*tch.

– Cody Rhodes met Sami Zayn backstage and he wasn’t happy about Sami announcing that he’s coming for the WWE Championship.

– Drew McIntyre told Cody Rhodes the stipulations for their 3 Stages of Hell match:

1. Straight Wrestling Match

2. Falls Count Anywhere Match

3. Inside an Old School Steel Cage

Drew broke a photo frame of Cody and Dusty Rhodes. Cody ran to the back to attack Drew, but got stopped by security. Drew came to the ring instead. Security stopped Cody from entering the ring. Drew burned Cody & Dusty’s photo and then mocked Cody.

– Women’s United States Championship Match: Giulia def. Chelsea Green (c) to win the title

Giulia is now a 2-time U.S. Champion.

Giulia Wins The Women's United States Championship WWE SmackDown January 2 2026 WrestleFeed App

– Axiom and Nathan Frazer requested that Johnny Gargano give Axiom his mask back, but he declined and said it was a gift from Candice LeRae. Axiom said he will talk to Nick Aldis and get them booked in a match, and then he will take the mask back.

– Ambulance Match: Damian Priest def. Aleister Black

Rhea Ripley laid out Zelina during the match.

Before this match, Michael Cole said John Cena and Ryback had a 3 Stages of Hell match, where one of the stipulations was an Ambulance Match. This was a rare mention of Ryback on WWE programming.

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