WWE SmackDown 1/16/26: What Time Does It Start & Predictions

WWE set up a tournament where the winners of tonight's four qualifying matches advance to a Fatal 4-Way at Saturday Night's Main Event on January 24 in Montreal. Win that, and you've earned yourself a WWE Championship match at Royal Rumble on January 31 in Riyadh.

Eight hungry contenders, four matches, one night – and McIntyre gets to sit back and watch his future problems unfold.

SmackDown starts at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. MT / 5 p.m. PT on USA Network (Netflix internationally).

Randy Orton vs The Miz

You just knew that these two had to have a face-off, and there's no better time than in this number one contender's qualifier.

This will be Orton's first match since returning a couple of weeks ago. The Miz has been well – The Miz.

My Prediction: Orton comes out of this as the winner.

Damian Priest vs Solo Sikoa

Solo Sikoa and the MFTs just beat the Wyatt Sicks in an eight-man tag last week. Solo grabbed Uncle Howdy's lantern to secure the controversial win. That feud's not over.

Meanwhile, Damian Priest obliterated Aleister Black in an Ambulance Match two weeks ago and has made it clear he wants the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Priest is attempting to get back into the title hunt, while Sikoa feels like a main eventer but not quite a world title contender yet. I can see the Wyatts interfering in this match and Priest getting the win.

My Prediction: Damian Priest to win.

Sami Zayn vs Ilja Dragunov

This isn't easy to predict, and the reason is that both guys had a good 2025.

Zayn lost his U.S. Title to Dragunov late last year, and Dragunov went on to continue to elevate the U.S. Title as the working man's championship. This is a match between two highly skilled guys with a shared history that's very difficult to predict.

That being said, I don't think Dragunov is quite ready to be in the world title picture yet. I can see him possibly winning Money in the Bank down the line.

The Zayn/Dragunov match may be the most interesting match of the night. Both guys could be in next week's fatal 4-way. Without a doubt, this match will be the longest match of the night, and both competitors will throw everything they have at one another.

I don't mind being wrong about my prediction. That's what fans and journalists love and need with wrestling. We need this type of unpredictability so that things don't feel stale.

You heard it here - this will be the match of the night.

My Prediction: Sami Zayn to win.

Matt Cardona vs Trick Williams

Trick Williams and his lemon pepper steppers have been heavily featured on SmackDown this year.

Matt Cardona isn't Zack Ryder. He's a more serious and focused individual now after reinventing himself on the indie circuit.

Is Williams ready to be a participant in the main event of next week's Saturday Night's Main Event? Yes! Cardona is certainly worthy of being in next week's match, but WWE has already teased a program featuring Williams against Orton and Zayn.

Including Williams in next week's match feels like an automatic.

My Prediction: Trick Williams to advance.

Additional Segments

Carmelo Hayes will have another open challenge for the United States Title.

I can't give a prediction on who will win, but it shouldn't surprise anyone to see Johnny Gargano attempt to be a nuisance to whoever is challenging.

Drew McIntyre makes his first appearance as WWE Champion tonight, and you know he's going to soak up every second of that London crowd.

Jacob Fatu's interference helped McIntyre win that steel cage match against Cody, so expect that storyline to continue.

The full tournament structure leading to Royal Rumble represents WWE's commitment to delivering marquee matchups for the Saudi show. Tonight's qualifiers will determine who advances to the Fatal 4-Way at Saturday Night's Main Event in Montreal.

Whatever McIntyre does will be entertaining, but this celebration might not go as smoothly as the Scottish Warrior hopes. CBS Sports gave the title change an A- grade, calling it "a positive turn after weeks of uninspired booking."