By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,381)
Charlotte, North Carolina, at Spectrum Center
Simulcast live February 6, 2026, on USA Network (Netflix internationally)
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore opened the show. There was an aerial shot of the host city, followed by the exterior of the host venue… A Royal Rumble recap video aired… Triple split-screen shots showed Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre, and Lash Legend and Nia Jax, followed by Randy Orton, Solo Siloa, and Aleister Black with Zelina Vega… Wade Barrett joined Tessitore on commentary…
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre made his entrance. Cody Rhodes came out and attacked him in the entrance aisle. Security, referees, and producers came out to keep McIntyre and Rhodes apart. Cody rolled inside the ring and got a microphone.
Cody recalled McIntyre eliminating him from the Royal Rumble despite not even being an entrant. Cody said CM Punk and Roman Reigns declared their hatred and a championship match, which excited him as the biggest WWE fan. Cody questioned why he was the first name out of their mouths.
Cody said that some people suggested it would be a dick-measuring contest. Cody said they’re glad he’s not in it because he didn’t get the nickname Raheem for no reason. Cody told McIntyre not to worry about a thing because he won’t make it to WrestleMania…
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Giulia and Kiana James about challenging for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. They said it was another step toward Giulia becoming a triple champion. James said they would win the tag titles and then Giulia would win the Elimination Chamber and a world championship at WrestleMania…
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky made their entrance for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title match… [C]
Raheem’s POV: Fine, it’s more like Powell’s Overcompensating POV. Anyway, Cody attacking McIntyre was a logical way to open the show, given the way Cody was eliminated from the Royal Rumble. Cody showed good fire. I thought we might see Jacob Fatu get involved, but the night is young. Anyway, WrestleTix listed the host venue as being set up for 9,894 with 9,632 tickets distributed roughly an hour before showtime. The listed capacity for the venue is 17,500.
Backstage, Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis told Cody Rhodes, who was surrounded by security, that his only path to the title match at WrestleMania was in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match that he would put him in next week. Aldis told him to control his emotions, or he would have to rethink giving him a qualifying match. Cody said he would leave, control his emotions, and see Aldis in Dallas…
Giulia and Kiana James made their entrance…
1. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. Giulia and Kiana James for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. Ripley and Giulia started, but Giulia indicated that she wanted to face Sky, who tagged in. Giulia got the better of her and mocked the way Sky points at herself. Sky came back and put Giulia down with a dropkick.
A broadcast team graphic listed Mark Nash as the ring announcer, but he did not deliver in-ring introductions for the title match. James tagged in and held Sky on the floor before Giulia jumped from the apron and missile dropkicked Sky before the first commercial break. [C]
Ripley took a hot tag and then worked over both challengers. Sky performed a suicide dive and overshot Giulia on the floor, but she got right up and pointed at herself. A short time later, both partners tagged in. Giulia drilled Sky with the Arrivederci Knee and had her pinned, but Ripley broke it up. Ripley tagged in and caught Giulia with a headbutt. Ripley hit Riptide, and then Sky hit Over the Moonsault before Ripley pinned Giulia…
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky defeated Giulia and Kiana James in 11:05 to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: An entertaining tag title match with a mildly surprising finish, in that Giulia took the loss for her team rather than James.
Ilja Dragunov was walking backstage when he came across The Miz, who asked him where he was going. Dragunov said he was going to get his U.S. Title back and told Miz he better get out of his way. “Or what?” Miz asked. Miz boasted of using his head and going to Nick Aldis, and then informed Dragunov that the open challenge was closed.
U.S. Champion Carmelo Hayes showed up and said he calls the shots when it comes to his title. Hayes said Dragunov beat Miz last week and deserves the title shot, so it was his. Hayes told Miz that he wouldn’t get a title shot, but he would get an ass-whooping. Miz told him that he better not miss and then made his entrance… [C] Carmelo Hayes made his entrance after the break…
2. U.S. Champion Carmelo Hayes vs. The Miz in a non-title match. Miz took offensive control and then mocked Hayes by pretending to make a basketball shot. [C]
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