x
The Road to Royal Rumble Runs Through Montreal Tonight
Getty Images

SmackDown rolls into Montreal tonight for what might be the most consequential episode of 2026 so far.

This is the go-home show for Saturday Night's Main Event, and WWE has stacked the deck with championship matches, personal rivalries, and the kind of star power that makes Friday nights must-watch television. With the Bell Centre hosting back-to-back shows this weekend, tonight's SmackDown serves as the appetizer before Saturday's main course—and if recent weeks are any indication, this appetizer might steal the show.

When and Where to Watch

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight, Friday, January 23, 2026, from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The show kicks off at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on USA Network. International viewers can catch the action on Netflix.

Tonight's Match Card

  • Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest – Both men compete in Saturday's Fatal 4-Way #1 Contender's Match for a shot at Drew McIntyre's Undisputed WWE Championship at Royal Rumble
  • WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. MFTs – Solo Sikoa stole the lantern, and now the only way to get it back is to take the titles from Uncle Howdy and company
  • Women's Tag Team Championship #1 Contender's Triple Threat Match: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax & Lash Legend vs. Giulia & Kiana James – Winner faces current champions Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY
  • Johnny Gargano vs. Nathan Frazer – Gargano has been playing games with Frazer and Axiom, including stealing Axiom's mask, but the tables have turned in recent weeks

What's at Stake

The Williams-Priest match carries real weight. Both men are trying to gain any advantage before Saturday's Fatal 4-Way that also includes Randy Orton and Sami Zayn. The winner of that match gets Drew McIntyre at Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and you can bet these two will use tonight to send a message about who's really ready for that moment.

The tag team championship match has become something more than just another title defense. Solo Sikoa crossed a line when he took the lantern from Uncle Howdy, and this feud has been building toward something explosive for weeks now. The Wyatt Sicks have defended those titles successfully before, but with that lantern hanging in the balance, this feels like the kind of match where anything can happen.

Then there's Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu. These two brawled last week in London, and while WWE hasn't announced specific plans for tonight, nobody's buying the idea that they'll stay away from each other. They've got unfinished business that needs settling before Saturday night.

Montreal gets a legitimately stacked show tonight. The Royal Rumble is just over a week away, Saturday Night's Main Event looms 24 hours from now, and WWE's putting real stakes on the line. If you've been waiting for SmackDown to matter again, this is your night. Don't sleep on it.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!