Overview
- Drew McIntyre detailed the Three Stages of Hell for Jan. 9 in Berlin—standard match, Falls Count Anywhere, then an old‑school steel cage—with Cody Rhodes still bound by a no‑contact stipulation beforehand.
- Damian Priest beat Aleister Black in the main-event Ambulance Match, closing their months-long rivalry.
- Giulia reclaimed the Women’s United States Championship from Chelsea Green, while Carmelo Hayes kept the men’s U.S. title by defeating Johnny Gargano.
- Randy Orton returned and set sights on the Undisputed WWE title; Matt Cardona re‑signed to SmackDown and won his comeback match; Trick Williams and Jordynne Grace were introduced to the brand.
- The show marked SmackDown’s permanent move to a three‑hour format, a shift some analysts say is driven by USA Network’s content needs and could weigh on average ratings.