Overview
- Friday’s SmackDown airs live from OVO Arena Wembley with a special 8 p.m. UK start on Netflix, with the U.S. broadcast in its normal USA Network slot.
- The four opening-round matches are Randy Orton vs. The Miz, Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams, Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov.
- Victors advance to a Jan. 24 Fatal 4-Way in Montreal, and that winner earns an Undisputed WWE Championship match at the Jan. 31 Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia.
- New WWE Champion Drew McIntyre is slated to appear following his title win last week, marking his first televised stop with the belt in the UK.
- United States Champion Carmelo Hayes stages an Open Challenge after recent defenses against Johnny Gargano and Shinsuke Nakamura, with some analysts touting Zayn as a tournament favorite based on upcoming locations.