Title match, Cody Rhodes-Drew McIntyre segment added to WWE SmackDown
WWE has made a couple of new announcements for tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
SmackDown moves back to three hours starting with tonight’s show from Buffalo, New York. A title match has been added to the lineup with Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green defending against Giulia, who is looking to reclaim the belt after Green won it from her back in November.
Green and Giulia are two of the only three women to have held the Women’s U.S. title since it was introduced at the end of 2024. A two-time champ, Green regained the belt in their November match by taking advantage of a distraction and pinning Giulia while having her feet on the ropes for leverage.
WWE has also announced that Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre will appear on SmackDown tonight — and McIntyre will reveal the stipulations for their upcoming Three Stages of Hell match. That match is taking place on the January 9 edition of SmackDown with Rhodes putting his WWE Championship on the line against McIntyre.
Here is the updated lineup for tonight:
WWE SmackDown (Friday, January 2) —
- Drew McIntyre reveals stipulations for Three Stages of Hell match against Cody Rhodes
- Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green defends against Giulia
- Ambulance match: Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black
- IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka, Kairi Sane, Nia Jax & Lash Legend
- Non-title: WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill vs. Michin (may be in question due to Michin’s shoulder injury)
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.