Photo Credit: WWE

26 WWE SmackDown

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Michael Joseph Sugue | Last updated Jan 2, 2026 10:57 PM ET

The January 2, 2026 edition of WWE SmackDown brought out so many surprises, we saw possible call-ups, a return early in the night, as well as Drew McIntyre naming his stipulation for his 3 Stages of Hell Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes next week in Berlin, Germany, another surprise was sprung on the WWE Universe via a returning Matt Cardona.

Kit Wilson was in action this week, looking to preach his idea of “proper masculinity” as the music of Matt Cardona hits. Everyone was shocked to see Cardona, since we last saw the Broskie in action on WWE SmackDown as a surprise opponent for LA Knight in the John Cena “The Last Time is Now Tournament” first round.

Cardona did not miss a step, executing the greatest hits, like the Broskie Boot, and a Rough Ryder, or as Michael Cole would call it, the “Car Ryder,” to dispatch off Kit Wilson in short order and pick up the victory, his first in WWE in over five years.

In commentary, Michael Cole made it clear that Matt Cardona is now a part of the WWE SmackDown roster officially, as he got advice through his headset. What a win for Matt Cardona in his first match back as an official member of the WWE roster.

Cardona has reinvented himself in the Indies, and we expect nothing but good things from the “Original Broskie” upon his return.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: