Trick Williams officially joins WWE SmackDown roster, first match set

Two-time NXT champion Trick Williams officially joined the WWE SmackDown roster on the first show of the new year. 

Williams made sporadic appearances on both Raw and SmackDown in 2025, most recently one week ago when he declared himself a free agent — a period that lasted only seven days. 

Sami Zayn was cutting a promo in the ring on SmackDown, proclaiming his pursuit of the WWE Championship, when Williams interrupted. Williams announced that he was now a SmackDown wrestler and that he too would be aiming for the WWE title. 

Zayn put Williams over, but warned him he had “yet to be humbled.” 

Williams then complained about Zayn’s behavior to GM Nick Aldis backstage, interrupting a conversation between the SmackDown general manager and Rey Fenix. The two wrestlers insulted each other and Aldis booked a match between the two of them for next week’s show. 

A former NFL hopeful, Williams began his wrestling training in 2018 with Combat Zone Wrestling. He signed his WWE developmental contract in 2021 and quickly formed an alliance with Carmelo Hayes, who is now the WWE United States championship.

Following a break-up and feud with Hayes, Williams went on to win two NXT Championships in addition to his NXT North American Championship. He was also TNA World Champion for several months in 2025, losing the belt to Mike Santana at Bound for Glory in October.