High-flying sensation Leon Slater made a surprise appearance on today’s WWE SmackDown in London by answering an open challenge from Carmelo Hayes for the United States Championship. While fans were thrilled to see the TNA X-Division Champion on a major stage, his appearance raised questions about his status with TNA Wrestling, especially after he was pulled from the January 15 TNA iMPACT on AMC debut and the Genesis pay-per-view on January 17.
Initial rumors suggested a “talent trade” was in play, with many speculating that AJ Styles was sent to iMPACT in exchange for Slater’s services. However, Fightful Select has uncovered a different reality.
The primary reason Slater was removed from his TNA commitments was due to ongoing visa issues. Since the TNA events were being held in North America and Slater was forced to return to his home in the United Kingdom, TNA graciously allowed WWE to utilize him during their ongoing European tour instead.
Despite his WWE cameo, Slater remains firmly under contract with TNA through at least the majority of 2026. TNA officials are reportedly working hard to resolve the visa situation so he can return to their U.S.-based shows soon. For now, the cooperation between the two companies has given Slater a massive platform to showcase his skills while he navigates his travel paperwork.
Complete WWE SmackDown Results From London
– Today’s SmackDown in London kicked off with new Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre getting a special entrance and huge pyro celebration. Drew celebrated with fans and said: “I prayed for this and it happened.” Drew then turned on the fans and said screw all of them because of none of them had his back when he was getting screwed by The Bloodline and none of them tweeted in support of him. McIntyre had a message for Cody Rhodes: there will be no rematch for The American Nightmare because Drew made sure he put that in their title match contract. Randy Orton came out to put Drew on noticed and Jacob Fatu came out as well. Fatu attacked Drew straight away and chased him away. The Miz blindsided Orton and hit him with the Skull Crushing Finale.
– #1 Contender’s Qualifying Match: Randy Orton def. The Miz to advance to Saturday Night’s Main Event
– Ilja Dragunov met Drew McIntyre backstage and said he’s coming for the WWE Championship. Drew said he can handle Ilja, but right now he’s worried about Jacob Fatu.
– Bo Dallas said The Wyatt Sicks will not rest until the lantern (which Solo Sikoa stole) comes back home.
– Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss squashed their issues. Nia Jax and Lash Legend tried to turn Charlotte against Alexa, but it didn’t work.
– Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair def. Women’s United States Champion Giulia and Kiana James
Bliss pinned James. Nia Jax attacked Giulia after the match. Nia and Lash Legend took out Charlotte and Alexa. Giulia got in Nia’s face, but Kiana held her back.
– Solo Sikoa said if Bo Dallas wants the lantern back, then The Wyatts Sicks will have to put the WWE Tag Team Titles on the line against My Family Tree. But before that happens, the lantern will be with him when he defeats Damian Priest and then goes on to bring the Undisputed WWE Title back to the family at Royal Rumble 2026.
– Cody Rhodes came out and a section of fans booed him and he said that was different. Fans then sang Drew McIntyre’s name. Cody said he was your champion and the fans booed. Cody said he got predictable over his title reign and questioned if Drew was just that good. Fans cheered and sang for McIntyre again.
Rhodes officially announced himself for the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match, as he plans to join Stone Cold Steve Austin as the only two men to win the Royal Rumble three times. Rhodes then addressed Jacob Fatu and said Fatu has the biggest receipt coming and he’s going to beat his a$$.
– Matt Cardona told Cathy Kelley that he’s back to become the Undisputed WWE Champion.
– #1 Contender’s Qualifying Match: Trick Williams def. Matt Cardona to advance to Saturday Night’s Main Event
– Damian Priest said he’s willing to fight the entire My Family Tree faction to get to WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.
– Kit Wilson attacked Matt Cardona and cut a promo, but Jacob Fatu showed up. Fatu took him out and called out Cody Rhodes. Cody came out and a big brawl broke out and security came out to separate them. WWE announced that Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu will take place at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24.
– #1 Contender’s Qualifying Match: Damian Priest def. Solo Sikoa to advance to Saturday Night’s Main Event
Talla Tonga interfered in the match and the referee sent him to the back. The Wyatt Sicks showed up during the match and brawled with the rest of the MFTs. Uncle Howdy was about to take the lantern back, but Solo attacked him. Solo went back into the ring and Damian hit him with the South of Heaven Chokeslam for the win. Howdy took the lantern after the match, but Talla Tonga showed up and hit Howdy with a big boot. Solo took the lantern back.
– Drew McIntyre met Sami Zayn backstage. Sami said he’s going to beat Ilja Dragunov and then win in his hometown of Montreal to become the #1 contender for the WWE Championship, and he’ll beat Drew at the Royal Rumble. Drew reminded Sami that he’s beaten him 11 times and Sami has beaten him 0 times.
– United States Championship Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) def. TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater to retain the title
This was Leon’s first ever match on SmackDown. Shinsuke Nakamura was watching this backstage. Tama Tonga showed up and said Nakamura blew his shot at the U.S. Title and now it’s his time. Tama told Nakamura to stay out of his way, given their history.
– Axiom asked Johnny Gargano for his mask back and Candice LeRae took it away. Nathan Frazer, in an Axiom mask, punched Gargano. Frazer will face Gargano next week.
– Jordynne Grace def. AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre)
WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill was ringside for this match. Grace challenged Cargill to step into the ring right here, right now. Cargill went up on the ring apron and got knocked off by Chelsea, who was charging at Grace. Jordynne posed with the Women’s Title.
– Trick Williams said he is money. Damian Priest challenged Trick to a match on SmackDown next Friday.
– #1 Contender’s Qualifying Match: Sami Zayn def. Ilja Dragunov to advance to Saturday Night’s Main Event
Trick Williams attacked Sami after the match and laid him out with the Trick Shot to end the show.
It will be Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest vs. Sami Zayn at Saturday Night’s Main Event, with the winner facing Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2026.
Card For Next Week’s SmackDown
– Johnny Gargano vs. Nathan Frazer
– Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest
– #1 Contender’s Match For The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Giulia and Kiana James vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax and Lash Legend
– WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. My Family Tree
RELATED: Triple H Has 2 Undisputed Title Matches In Mind For WrestleMania 42
