Trick Williams has officially arrived on Friday Night SmackDown, making his debut as a member of the blue brand’s roster during tonight’s broadcast. The announcers did not make announcement but it came across as if he is now part of the blue brand. The former two-time NXT Champion wasted no time making his presence felt, interrupting an emotional address by Sami Zayn to assert his position in the hierarchy.
Sami Zayn’s Championship Declaration
The segment began with Sami Zayn addressing the crowd in Buffalo, New York. Zayn spoke candidly about his experience attending John Cena’s final match as a fan alongside his son. He shared a personal moment where his son asked why Cena had won 17 World Titles while Zayn had won zero.
Admitting he had no answer for his son, a fired-up Zayn stated that merely talking about becoming a champion “makes him sick” and declared that he is now solely focused on action. He officially announced his intention to pursue the WWE Championship, setting his sights on the top prize in the company.
“The Whoop That Trick Era” Begins on SmackDown
Zayn’s declaration was cut short by the entrance of Trick Williams. Williams revealed that SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis brought him to the brand specifically to inject “athleticism and danger” into the show.
Williams immediately targeted Zayn, dismissing the veteran’s aspirations. He claimed to possess the look of a champion and vowed that he would not take 20 years to “fail at winning the big one” like Zayn had.
Tension Teased
Zayn responded by acknowledging Williams’ undeniable physical tools but warned the newcomer that he has yet to be humbled. Criticizing Williams for attempting to “cut the line” immediately upon his arrival, Zayn offered to teach him a lesson in humility, setting the stage for a potential future conflict between the two.
Trick Williams’ move to SmackDown follows weeks of speculation regarding his main roster status. He was recently seen on the December 26 episode meeting with Nick Aldis, where he leveraged interest from Raw to secure a deal. Williams arrives with a decorated resume from NXT, having held the NXT Championship twice and the TNA World Championship during his developmental run.
WHOOP THAT TRICK 🙌@_trickwilliams is HERE! pic.twitter.com/j0CkFtOz1b
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
Is @_trickwilliams the future of WWE? 🤩 pic.twitter.com/M3f13dTaX7
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
