• Liv Morgan’s 1st Televised Match Since Return Announced
Below is the updated card for Monday’s RAW, which will be the one-year Netflix anniversary special:
– World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Bron Breakker
– Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Maxxine Dupri (c) vs. Becky Lynch
– WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) (c) vs. Rhiyo (Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY)
– Liv Morgan vs. Lyra Valkyria (this will be Liv’s first televised match since her return)
– Crossover with Stranger Things
• Matt Cardona Comments On Signing With WWE, Ex-Tag Team Partner Reacts
On tonight’s SmackDown, 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. Cardona came back as Kit Wilson’s surprise opponent and picked up the win.
MATT CARDONA IS HERE 🤩
Zack Ryder is so last year 😜 pic.twitter.com/AsEYWMUbE2
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
.@TheMattCardona with the WIN 👏 pic.twitter.com/YpgJMNJxZo
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Cardona tweeted the following about his return: “I’m not finished…”
Brian Myers (fka Curt Hawkins), Cardona’s former tag team partner in WWE, tweeted the following about this moment:
“Matt’s run from 2020-2025 is the stuff of legend. It’s gonna be talked about & referenced for years. He unlocked the unlimited potential that someone could have outside the WWE bubble. He set an example that should be followed forever. Control what you can control, believe in yourself, & NEVER take no for answer.
See you down the road @TheMattCardona!
Well, actually we’re recording the @MajorWFPod Monday morning.”
• Absent Star Returned for His 1st WWE Match in a Year Before Tonight’s SmackDown
On the January 24, 2025, episode of SmackDown, Apollo Crews defeated Johnny Gargano. Crews tore his pectoral muscle during this match, but still managed to finish it. He had to undergo surgery.
After being out of action for 10 months, Crews made his return from injury in November 2025 and made his AAA debut. Before AAA Alianzas started airing, Lince Dorado issued an open challenge in a dark match and it was answered by the returning Crews, who went on to pick up the win.
Before tonight’s January 2, 2026, episode of SmackDown, WWE taped an episode of “WWE Main Event,” where Crews had his first WWE match in almost a year. Crews faced Talla Tonga of My Family Tree and lost.
