The road to the Royal Rumble officially moved into the fast lane Friday night as SmackDown expanded to its new three-hour format. While the extra hour can often feel like a marathon of rest holds and filler, the blue brand delivered a high-stakes premiere for 2026, highlighted by a visceral personal rivalry reaching a literal boiling point and a main event that required a trip to the local trauma center.
The Main Event: Priest Sends Black to the ER
In a rivalry that has defined the better part of the last six months, Damian Priest and Aleister Black finally reached the end of the line in an Ambulance Match. This wasn’t a wrestling clinic; it was a demolition derby.
The turning point came when Black instructed Zelina Vega to open the ambulance doors to finish Priest, only for the “Nightmare” herself, Rhea Ripley, to be waiting inside. The Buffalo crowd erupted as Ripley neutralized Vega with a Riptide, evening the playing field.
The closing sequence was pure carnage. After blinding Black with a fireball—a receipt for October’s Last Man Standing match—Priest delivered a Razor’s Edge through the ambulance windshield. He followed it up with a terrifying South of Heaven chokeslam from the roof of the vehicle through a stack of production tables. Priest eventually stuffed a broken Black into the back of the rig to secure the win, effectively closing this dark chapter of his career.
Cody Rhodes Plays With Fire
The “American Nightmare” found himself in a nightmare of a different kind. Cody Rhodes took to the ring to address his upcoming “Three Stages of Hell” title defense against Drew McIntyre in Berlin, but the Scottish Warrior had no intention of playing by the rules of engagement.
McIntyre appeared on the big screen from the parking lot, laying out the brutal stipulations:
- Stage One: Traditional Wrestling Match.
- Stage Two: Falls Count Anywhere.
- Stage Three: Steel Cage.
The segment turned personal when McIntyre produced a framed photo of Cody and his father, the late Dusty Rhodes. In a move that drew massive heat from the KeyBank Center, Drew claimed Dusty would be “ashamed” of the man Cody has become before stomping on the glass and lighting the photo on fire. A frantic Rhodes was held back by a small army of security and GM Nick Aldis, knowing that if he touched McIntyre, he would be stripped of the WWE Championship. It was a masterclass in psychological warfare.
New Arrivals and New Gold
The three-hour format allowed for a revolving door of talent and a major title change:
- Giulia Reclaims the Throne: In a hard-hitting affair, Giulia defeated Chelsea Green to become the new Women’s United States Champion. Despite Green’s popularity with the Buffalo crowd, Giulia’s “Beautiful Madness” was too much to handle, ending the bout with a definitive Northern Lights Bomb.
- The Blueprint of the Future: Trick Williams made his official SmackDown debut, interrupting a heartfelt Sami Zayn promo. While Zayn tried to “humble” the newcomer, Williams stood his ground, radiating main-event energy. He’ll make his in-ring debut next week against the returning Rey Fenix.
- The Return of Matt Cardona: In a surprise for many, the “Indie God” Matt Cardona (formerly Zack Ryder) officially re-signed with WWE, picking up a win over Kit Wilson. It’s a full-circle moment for Cardona, who looks significantly more dangerous than the man who left years ago.
Quick Hits & Results
| Match | Winner | Key Moment |
| 8-Woman Tag | Rhea, Iyo, Charlotte, & Alexa | Iyo Sky connects with a Moonsault on Kairi Sane. |
| US Title Match | Carmelo Hayes (c) | Hayes retains over Johnny Gargano after “Nothing But Net.” |
| Singles Match | Matt Cardona | Cardona wins his return match with the Rough Ryder. |
| Ambulance Match | Damian Priest | Priest chokeslams Aleister Black off the ambulance roof. |
The Bottom Line: The transition to three hours was surprisingly smooth, aided by the influx of NXT talent and the return of heavy hitters like Randy Orton. However, the night belonged to Drew McIntyre. By burning the memory of Dusty Rhodes, he didn’t just set a photo on fire—he set the stakes for Berlin ablaze.