Giulia during the Womens Royal Rumble during the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium.Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

SmackDown Results 01.02.26: Three Hour Debut Soft As Marshmallow

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Howe Fresh | Last updated Jan 3, 2026 11:34 AM ET

These WWE SmackDown Results are from a monumental episode. Not only was it the first show of 2026, but they also introduced a three-hour format. Featured on the card were both the Men’s and Women’s United States Championship matches, along with an ambulance match for the main event. This was surely an entertaining episode, right?

Sky, Ripley, Bliss, And Flair Vs. Kabuki Warriors, Legend, And Jax

Rhea Ripley and Asuka got things started. This match was as soft as butter, and nothing was believable. There was a lack of build and a void of tense false finishes. The babyface team took home the victory.

SmackDown Results – Kit Wilson Vs. Matt Cardona

Not only was Matt Cardona Kit Wilson’s surprise opponent, but he’s surprised the WWE Universe by dropping the Zack Ryder gimmick. This was a short filler match, seemingly for the cheap pop of his name change and victory.

US Championship – Johnny Gargano Vs. Carmelo Hayes

Coming off the unexpected victory over Ilya Dragunov to win the title last week, new United States Champion Carmelo Hayes was put straight to work. While this was easily the most physical and entertaining match to that point, it still felt shallow without the unmatchable intensity of Dragunov. Hayes, of course, retained in his first title defense.

Women’s US Championship – Chelsea Green Vs. Giulia

Giulia stood out in the match for her athleticism and intensity, both in this match and on the card that night. There was a good back-and-forth before Beautiful Madness became the new WWE Women’s United States Champion.

Ambulance Match – Damian Priest Vs. Alister Black

The first-ever Ambulance Match on SmackDown was also just the seventh one in WWE. Both stars were physical and had their moments, including big bumps, but the brutality fell short for the match type. It seemed the finish was happening when Zelina Vega walked towards the ambulance to open the door. The other half of the Terror Twins, along with Priest, Ripley, was inside the ambulance to change the tide.

PRIEST SENDS BLACK THROUGH THE TABLES

THIS MATCH IS INSANE!!! pic.twitter.com/jrYKhPzCbC
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026

While a finish involving a chokeslam off an ambulance and through a table is titilating, the way Alister Black was gently pushed off, in an effort to fake a safe chokeslam, came across as inauthentic. Priest went on from there to throw Black into the back of the ambulance to win the match.

End Of My SmackDown Results Rant

For being the first show of the year and introducing a three-hour format, these SmackDown results were a lackluster afair. The episode was full of run-of-the-mill promos and stereotypical backstage interviews. While the show had some entertaining moments, it fell short of expectations.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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