WWE SmackDown Preview - January 02, 2026: Drew McIntyre Ushers in Chaos with 3 Stages of Hell Reveal for Cody Rhodes

SmackDown kicks off 2026 in brutal, must-see fashion as WWE returns to a three-hour format, live this Friday at 8 ET / 7 CT on USA. With championships, grudges, and violence on the menu, this stacked episode promises fireworks from top to bottom.

Drew McIntyre to Reveal the Stipulations for His 3 Stages of Hell Match Against Cody Rhodes

The Scottish Psychopath is ready to define the battlefield.

Drew McIntyre is set to unveil the three stipulations that will comprise his upcoming Undisputed WWE Championship 3 Stages of Hell Match against Cody Rhodes. Known for his unforgiving mindset and appetite for punishment, McIntyre has promised nothing short of destruction as he prepares to push The American Nightmare to his absolute breaking point.

How will Cody Rhodes respond once the terms are laid bare? Will he embrace the chaos — or realize just how dangerous Drew McIntyre has become?

Ambulance Match: Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black

This rivalry was always destined to end in carnage.

Damian Priest and Aleister Black collide in an Ambulance Match, where the only path to victory is incapacitating your opponent and locking them inside the ambulance. No pinfalls. No submissions. Just pain.

Both men thrive in darkness, but only one will walk away after what promises to be one of the most violent encounters SmackDown has seen in years.

Women’s United States Championship: Giulia vs. Chelsea Green

Gold. Revenge. Redemption.

Former Women’s United States Champion Giulia gets her chance to reclaim what was taken from her as she challenges Chelsea Green for the title. Green’s controversial reign has drawn plenty of criticism, but she’s proven she’ll do whatever it takes to stay champion.

Will Giulia start 2026 back on top — or will Chelsea Green once again defy the odds?

Eight-Woman Tag Team Showdown Shakes the Division

In a massive eight-woman collision, Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss join forces against WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane, alongside Nia Jax and Lash Legend.

Temporary alliances, clashing egos, and championship implications collide as the women’s division flexes its depth and star power on the first SmackDown of the year.

Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

WWE is sending a clear message right out of the gate: 2026 is going to be ruthless. McIntyre revealing his 3 Stages of Hell stipulations sets the tone for a psychologically driven main-event story, while the Ambulance Match signals a renewed emphasis on high-stakes violence. Add in multiple women’s matches with championship implications, and this SmackDown feels less like a weekly show — and more like a premium event in disguise.

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