WWE SmackDown has undergone plenty of changes in 2025, from the roster to the format of the show altogether.
The new year will see several new stars make SmackDown their home or might be leaving the brand altogether to find momentum on another brand.
Whether it is roster changes, injured stars return or storyline developments, the changes on Friday nights will excite fans as the calendar changes to 2026.
Here are seven potential changes to WWE SmackDown in 2026.
7. Bianca Belair Returns
Following WrestleMania 41, Bianca Belair revealed that she had suffered a finger injury that was going to keep her sidelined for some time.
Despite “The E.S.T. of WWE” showing up at WWE Evolution and making other appearances, she has yet to step back in the squared circle.
With months passing by since her last appearance though, many fans are wondering when she will be back.
Considering her former tag team partner Jade Cargill is now the WWE Women’s Champion, fans should see Belair return in 2026 and set her sights on the top prize for the SmackDown women’s division.
Click the next page button below for more
6. The MFTs Capture More Gold On SmackDown
Since losing the United States Championship to Sami Zayn in August, Solo Sikoa and the MFTs have been on a mission to exert their dominance on Friday Night SmackDown.
This has led to the group running roughshod over anyone and everyone in front of them on the blue brand over the past few months.
With their consistent attacks on the roster, this has garnered the attention of Uncle Howdy and The Wyatt Sicks, which is heading towards an inevitable battle.
Taking into account that Tama Tonga has set his sights on Ilja Dragunov’s WWE United States Championship as well, fans could be seeing the MFTs draped in gold come the new year.
Click the next page button below for more
5. Oba Femi Answers The United States Championship Open Challenge
At WWE NXT No Mercy 2025, Oba Femi lost the NXT Championship to Ricky Saints. Since then, rumors have run rampant about his possible main roster callup.
With his dominant run on NXT, it feels like a no-brainer that Femi is ready for the main roster stage and could make his debut in 2026.
“The Ruler” answering the ongoing United States Championship Open Challenge could see him immediately capturing championship gold on SmackDown like he did on NXT.
Femi clashing with Dragunov or whomever wins the title would instantly put all eyes on one of the future top stars in WWE.
Click the next page button below for more
4. Nia Jax & Lash Legend Target Kabuki Warriors For The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
At WWE Survivor Series 2025, Nia Jax and Lash Legend teamed for the first time as part of the Women’s WarGames Match.
These two ladies went from feuding on WWE NXT to aligning with one another against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss on SmackDown in November.
With Legend recently making her main roster debut, WWE has been diligent in presenting the former NXT standout as an intimidating force.
After the errant mist from Asuka during WarGames, Lash and Nia should not waste any time in directly targeting the Kabuki Warriors for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship as soon as possible.
Click the next page button below for more
3. Jacob Fatu’s Mystery Attacker Revealed
Ahead of a scheduled number one contenders match against Drew McIntyre, Jacob Fatu was found beaten down and bloodied backstage.
While talk has quieted down since then, there was some investigation being done on who exactly was the mystery assailant.
With Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes directly benefitting from this, they were viewed as the most likely suspects, but both men denied this claim.
Now with the calendar set to move to 2026, fans should soon learn the identity of laid Fatu out back in October on SmackDown.
Click the next page button below for more
2. Roman Reigns Is Back To Reclaim The Undisputed WWE Championship
After losing the Men’s WarGames to Team Vision, Roman Reigns helped CM Punk to his feet and then had a long staredown with Cody Rhodes before telling the Undisputed WWE Champion that “they will never team again.”
Following this confrontation, there have been reports that Reigns is expected to challenge Rhodes for his title in their third singles meeting at WrestleMania in four years.
Over the past year, Reigns has been mostly focused on Monday Night Raw with his rivalry with Paul Heyman, Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed of The Vision.
However, this Survivor Series staredown may have indicated that “The OTC” is on his way back home to SmackDown to reclaim his Undisputed WWE Championship in time for Mania season.
Click the next page button below for more
1. Randy Orton Turns Heel On Cody Rhodes
Ever since Cody Rhodes captured the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, Randy Orton has stood by his side in his battles with the likes of The Bloodline, Kevin Owens and The Vision.
However, Orton has also kept a close eye on Cody’s Undisputed WWE Championship belt and made teases of wanting to get his crack at the gold.
With his current ongoing absence from television, “The Legend Killer” should snap whenever he gets back and set the course for a rivalry with Rhodes.
Orton challenging Cody for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42 would make for a compelling main event and could come at the end of a bitter rivalry following a shocking betrayal in 2026.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Comments.
Loading comments…