6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (9 Jan - Results & Review)

1. A WWE Title Change That Needed To Happen

Drew McIntyre needed this title win like a starving man needs a hearty meal. Going in, a lot of folks wondered aloud where WWE might take the Scot's character if he came up short against Cody Rhodes in a bumper title match again. After all, it was the heel who picked this '3 Stages Of Hell' party, and he even got to name the stipulations for each fall. McIntyre would've looked foolish had he lost.

Putting the belt on him is a neat shakeup right before Royal Rumble, and it’s something the company can generally point to when claiming that anything can happen during WrestleMania season. Cody lost the WWE Title on free television, people. What the heck is gonna happen next?! That sort of surprise is good for the product. It keeps things interesting.

Drew’s first WWE Title reign since 2021 is welcome. As the 'Downs' stated, going with a standard wrestling match for the first fall didn't really deliver, but everything from the second fall onwards in this ‘3 Stages’ match was well worth your time. The finish was a little oddly formatted, but it’s nice to see Fatu back as well. He pumps some more gas (pun intended) into the SmackDown main event scene.

This title switch had to happen even if Drew drops it back to Cody at SNME or come the Rumble. If not, and his run continues beyond the next major PLE, then things could get rather compelling on Fridays heading into April. Finally, it had to feel good for McIntyre to bag that strap in front of a big crowd.

He didn't get to experience that back between 2020-2021.

What did you think of this week's WWE SmackDown? For more wrestling, check out WWE Royal Rumble 2026: Predicting All 30 Entrants and WWE Women's Royal Rumble 2026: Predicting All 30 Entrants!