WWE Live Results: Gunther Defeats Sami Zayn, Cody Rhodes Tops Drew McIntyre in Syracuse

The January 1st event at the War Memorial Arena featured several title matches and high-profile clashes.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 6:08am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the chaotic movements and clashing of two wrestlers in a WWE match, with their forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.A cubist interpretation of the intense action and drama of a WWE championship match.Syracuse Today

WWE held a live event on January 1st at the War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, New York, showcasing some of the company's top superstars in action. The card featured several title matches and highly anticipated clashes, including Gunther's victory over Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes' win over Drew McIntyre in the main event street fight for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Why it matters

This live event in Syracuse provided an early look at some of the key storylines and rivalries that will likely shape the WWE landscape in the coming year. The outcomes of these matches could have significant implications for the company's championship picture and the trajectories of its top stars.

The details

The event featured several title matches, including IYO SKY's win over Raquel Rodriguez, Jade Cargill's successful defense of the WWE Women's Championship against B-Fab, and Carmelo Hayes' retention of the United States Championship against The Miz. In other notable matches, the tag team of Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) defeated New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods), and The Wyatt Sicks (Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, and Uncle Howdy) bested MFT (JC Mateo, Talla Tonga, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa).

  • The live event took place on January 1, 2026 in Syracuse, New York.
  • Gunther defeated Sami Zayn in a highly anticipated match.
  • Cody Rhodes overcame Drew McIntyre in the main event street fight for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

The players

Gunther

A dominant WWE superstar who defeated Sami Zayn in a high-profile match at the event.

Sami Zayn

A popular WWE superstar who faced off against Gunther in a highly anticipated clash.

Cody Rhodes

The reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, who defended his title against Drew McIntyre in the main event.

Drew McIntyre

A former WWE Champion who challenged Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event street fight.

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What they’re saying

“This was one of the most electric atmospheres I've ever experienced at a WWE event. The fans in Syracuse were incredible, and the matches delivered on all the hype.”

— Kofi Kingston, Member of The New Day

“Gunther's dominance continues to impress me. The way he dismantled Sami Zayn was a true statement performance.”

— Xavier Woods, Member of The New Day

What’s next

The outcomes of these matches will likely have significant implications for the WWE's championship picture and the trajectories of its top stars in the coming year. Fans will be eager to see how these storylines and rivalries develop in the weeks and months ahead.

The takeaway

This live event in Syracuse showcased the depth and talent of WWE's current roster, with several title matches and high-profile clashes that set the stage for future storylines and rivalries. The company's top stars delivered thrilling performances, leaving fans eager to see what's next for their favorite superstars.