The January 2, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown took place at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, delivering an action-packed night that climaxed with an intense main event. By this date, SmackDown had aired 1,376 episodes, with only six previously held in Buffalo. Notably, the blue brand had never featured an ambulance match—until now, ending that streak in the heart of Bills Mafia territory.
The show closed with a brutal ambulance match between Damian Priest and Aleister Black, marking the conclusion of their heated rivalry. True to expectations, the match was fierce and physical, with both wrestlers utilizing weapons scattered throughout the arena. Early in the bout, it looked like Black might be stretchered away, but the fight pressed on at ringside.
After a table was smashed and a chair-filled skirmish, Black managed to put Priest on a stretcher, encouraged by Zelina Vega at ringside. Black dragged Priest up the ramp, struck him, and by the commercial break, had him positioned inside the ambulance. However, Priest recovered, prolonging the match. When Vega opened the ambulance door, she was ambushed by Rhea Ripley, who then chased her away after hitting the Riptide finisher—much to the delight of fans witnessing Ripley supporting her fellow Terror Twins.
As the match progressed, Priest attempted to put Black in the ambulance. Both men exchanged blow for blow near the open ambulance door, eliciting cheers from the crowd. Priest, returning on crutches, gained the upper hand, only for Black to retaliate by throwing Priest inside and targeting his knee. The fight escalated with Black using a fire extinguisher and Priest igniting a small fireball. Priest grabbed a large table, but Black fought free. In a dramatic moment, Priest shoved a razor blade into the ambulance’s windshield, drawing a loud "Oh my god" from the audience.
The climax saw the two fighting atop the ambulance, with Priest choking Aleister Black through a massive table. Priest then shut Black inside the ambulance, sealing a decisive victory to the crowd’s resounding "This is amazing!" chants.
What did you think of this week’s SmackDown finale in Buffalo? Were you expecting such a hard-hitting ending? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Fan Take: This epic ambulance match not only closed out SmackDown with a bang but also set a new standard for storytelling and intensity in WWE. For fans, it’s a thrilling reminder that the blue brand can deliver unforgettable rivalries and innovative match types that keep the sport fresh and exciting.
