WWE SmackDown preview and streaming details 2-jan-2026: Full match card, confirmed segments, how to watch, start timings & how to watch

WWE will host the first episode of Friday Night SmackDown of 2026 from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The new year will begin with the return of the three-hour format of the show, with top stars like Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, and Jade Cargill advertised for the show. So let's take a deep look into the full match card, start timings, and how to watch SmackDown.

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• Cody Rhodes to appear
• Jade Cargill vs Michin
• Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs The Kabuki Warriors, Nia Jax & Lash Legend – Eight-Woman Tag Team match
• Damian Priest vs Aleister Black: Ambulance match

Cody Rhodes will make an appearance

Cody Rhodes has been crossing all limits when it comes to his ongoing feud with Drew McIntyre. This week on SmackDown, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion will make an appearance ahead of his Three Stages of Hell match coming up.

Jade Cargill will battle against Michin

Michin had been crossing paths with the arrogant and dominant WWE Women's Champion, Jade Cargill, for weeks on SmackDown. The duo has been announced to compete in a singles match this week on the blue brand. However, Fightful has reported that Michin might have suffered a shoulder injury during the WWE Holiday Tour, so it remains to be seen if she will be cleared to compete.

Eight woman tag team match

The tag team division has been heating up in the WWE with an eight-woman tag team match announced for SmackDown this week. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss will team up with Rhea Ripley and IYO Sky to battle the team of Nia Jax, Lash Legend, and the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, Asuka and Kairi Sane.

Damian Priest and Aleister Black will square off in an Ambulance match

Aleister Black and his wife, Zelina, have made it their mission to ruin Damian Priest's life for weeks on SmackDown. After multiple encounters, the duo will square off in an Ambulance match, which is expected to be a physically battering encounter.

How to watch WWE SmackDown (January 2)?

WWE SmackDown will air live in the United States at 08 PM ET and 05 PM PT on Netflix on Friday, while the UK and Ireland fans can catch the action at 1 AM BST on Saturday. In Canada, the show broadcasts live at 08 PM ET on Friday on Netflix. In India, fans can watch SmackDown live at 6:30 AM IST on Saturday on Netflix. Fans in Saudi Arabia can watch SmackDown live at 4:00 AM AST, Saturday, on Netflix. In France, fans can tune into SmackDown this week at 02:00 AM CET on Saturday on AB1. Fans in Australia can see SmackDown this week at 11:00 AM AEST on Saturday on Netflix.

Also read: Samantha Irvin and Ricochet combined net worth: WWE income, contracts, bonuses, and endorsements