WWE SmackDown Recap: Rhodes and Owens Clash, Bayley Claims No. 1 Contender Spot

STAMFORD, Conn. — WWE SmackDown on January 10 delivered a night of high-stakes action, with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens escalating their rivalry, and Bayley securing her spot as the No. 1 Contender for the WWE Women’s Championship. The event, held at the WWE Performance Center, also featured title defenses, tag team clashes, and a chaotic main event.

The night kicked off with Paul Heyman addressing Roman Reigns’ recent victory and his return as the Tribal Chief. Cody Rhodes interrupted, only to be confronted by Kevin Owens, who launched a verbal assault before the two brawled outside the ring. Meanwhile, Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga of The Bloodline attacked Heyman, prompting Jimmy Uso to attempt a rescue. Rhodes eventually returned to help fend off The Bloodline, setting the stage for a tag team match later in the night.

In the first title match of the evening, Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green defended her title against Michin. Despite Michin’s aggressive start and a high-flying dive onto Green’s ally Piper Niven, Green retained her title by pinning Michin after a controversial reversal. The match, while solid, lacked the intensity of their previous encounter.

Tag team action followed as Los Garza defeated Pretty Deadly in a short but energetic bout. Santos Escobar and Elektra Lopez’s interference helped secure the win for Los Garza, who are positioning themselves as contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championships.

United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura faced LA Knight in a highly anticipated rematch. The two showcased their chemistry, with Knight nearly securing the win after a BFT. However, Nakamura’s attempt to use an exposed turnbuckle backfired, leading to interference from The Bloodline. The match ended in disqualification, with Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Uso rushing to Knight’s aid. A tag team match between the factions was quickly booked for later in the night.

The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) triumphed over A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) in a fast-paced tag team match. The victory positions MCMG as potential challengers for the WWE Tag Team Championships.

New WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton celebrated her title win, but her moment was interrupted by Nia Jax, Bayley, Naomi, and Bianca Belair. A Fatal 4-Way match was set to determine the No. 1 Contender, with Bayley emerging victorious after pinning Naomi. Bayley’s win sets up a future showdown with Stratton, adding another layer to the women’s division.

The main event saw Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Uso team up against Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. Despite Rhodes’ explosive offense and Uso’s high-flying antics, Kevin Owens’ interference distracted Rhodes, leaving Uso vulnerable. Fatu secured the win for his team with a moonsault, capping off a chaotic match. The show ended with Rhodes and Owens crashing through a table during their brawl, leaving both men injured.

Overall, the January 10 episode of SmackDown advanced several storylines but lacked standout moments. With the Royal Rumble approaching, WWE continues to build momentum for its marquee event.