As Days of Our Lives charges into its first full week of 2026, Salem braces itself for a perfect storm of betrayal, obsession, and jaw-dropping twists. The week of January 5

through January 9 promises to deliver everything longtime fans crave: a wedding teetering on the edge of disaster, long-buried secrets clawing their way to the surface,

dangerous experiments unfolding behind locked laboratory doors, and emotional fallout that could permanently alter the fabric of the town.

This is not a week of quiet resolutions or gentle new beginnings. Instead, Days of Our Lives leans fully into its most explosive instincts, reminding viewers that happiness in Salem is always provisional—and often paid for in heartbreak.

A Wedding Destined for Disaster: Gwen’s Silent Revenge

At the center of the week’s drama is what should be a joyful milestone: the wedding of Leo Stark and Javi Hernandez. On the surface, it’s a fairy-tale ending—two men deeply in love, surrounded by family, friends, and the promise of a fresh start. But seasoned Salem viewers know better. No wedding ever unfolds without consequence, and this one may be cursed from the moment the guests take their seats.

All eyes turn to Gwen Rizczech, seated calmly in the front row. Outwardly composed, Gwen projects grace and restraint. Inwardly, however, she is a powder keg of resentment, humiliation, and unresolved rage. Once Leo’s closest ally—and later his wife—Gwen lost everything in the wake of his betrayals. Now she is forced to watch the man who destroyed her life step into his happily-ever-after with someone else.

Sources tease that Gwen’s frustration escalates throughout the ceremony, but “annoyed” hardly captures the magnitude of her emotions. This isn’t impulsive anger. This is calculated fury. Gwen is a DiMera by blood, and revenge, when served cold, is practically a family tradition. The question looming over the entire week is chillingly simple: is Gwen merely witnessing the wedding—or orchestrating its downfall?

The Dmitri Question: A Letter That May Have Been a Lie

Fueling the tension surrounding the wedding is the re-emergence of Dmitri von Leuschner. His sudden proximity to Leo raises devastating questions about the past—specifically, the infamous breakup letter that shattered Leo’s heart and sent him running into Javi’s arms.

Was that letter genuine? Or was it a forgery?

The theory gaining traction in Salem is explosive: Gwen may have written the letter herself. Psychologically, the move would be devastatingly effective. By convincing Leo that Dmitri had abandoned him, Gwen ensured Leo’s isolation. But if the truth comes out now—after vows are exchanged—the emotional fallout would be catastrophic.

Spoilers hint at an inevitable confrontation between Leo and Dmitri. Whether it happens before the ceremony, during the reception, or in the devastating aftermath remains unclear. What is certain is this: if Leo learns that Dmitri never stopped loving him, his marriage to Javi could collapse before it even begins. Javi, innocent and undeserving of such pain, may become collateral damage in a war he never knew he was part of.

And Gwen? She may be watching it all unfold with a glass of champagne and a satisfied smile.

Legacy Love Under Threat: Steve and Kayla Face the Unknown

Amid the chaos, Days of Our Lives also turns its attention to one of its most beloved legacy couples: Steve “Patch” Johnson and Kayla Brady. Spoilers tease that Steve is caught off guard by Kayla’s unexpected appearance, a detail that has fans deeply concerned.

In Salem, surprises are rarely benign. While the moment could signal a romantic twist or heartfelt reunion, history suggests darker possibilities. Medical crises, hidden diagnoses, or shocking revelations often lurk behind seemingly simple surprises—especially when doctors themselves are involved.

Steve and Kayla represent stability and enduring love in a town defined by betrayal. Any threat to them carries emotional weight, and viewers should prepare for a storyline that tests not only their bond, but the emotional foundation of the show itself.

New Year’s Eve Sparks Fly: EJ DiMera and Cat Cross a Dangerous Line

Romance and danger collide as EJ DiMera grows closer to Cat, an intelligent and determined investigator probing deep into DiMera secrets. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and spoilers strongly suggest that a New Year’s Eve kiss will ignite something neither can control.

This is a classic Salem power struggle: Cat may be using EJ for information, while EJ is almost certainly manipulating her in return. But attraction has a way of complicating even the most calculated strategies. As Cat edges closer to uncovering incriminating truths, her growing feelings for EJ could compromise her judgment—placing her career, and possibly her life, in jeopardy.

For EJ, the stakes are equally high. Falling for someone investigating him could expose vulnerabilities he cannot afford. Their connection promises passion, danger, and betrayal in equal measure.

Titan in Crisis: Kate Roberts’ Desperate Gamble

In one of the week’s most bizarre yet intriguing twists, Titan Industries faces financial collapse—and Kate Roberts is willing to do the unthinkable to save it. Desperation forces her into an uneasy alliance with Xander Cook, a man she deeply distrusts and openly despises.

Even more shocking is the proposed solution: leveraging Bonnie’s erotic novel as a potential revenue stream. The idea borders on absurd, but in Salem, unconventional strategies often yield unexpected results. The real danger lies not in the plan itself, but in what it awakens within Xander. Partnering with Kate could draw him back toward the ruthless instincts he’s been fighting to suppress.

The Lab Horror: Who Is in the Tube?

The most chilling storyline of the week unfolds in secret, as EJ DiMera and Dr. Wilhelm Rolf continue a terrifying experiment. A life-sized tube. A hidden laboratory. And a mystery that has set fandom speculation ablaze.

Is it Stefano? A long-dead enemy? Or someone even more devastating?

All signs point to Lexi Carver. Her death from brain cancer remains one of the most emotional moments in Days of Our Lives history. If Lexi has been resurrected—or re-created—the consequences would be seismic. Abe’s hard-won peace, Theo’s life, and the moral boundaries of Salem itself would be shattered.

Worse still, if this version of Lexi has been manipulated or weaponized, her return could become one of the show’s darkest chapters yet.

Danger Stalks the Next Generation

As if the adults didn’t have enough to contend with, danger looms for Salem’s younger residents. Owen Kent’s obsession with Stephanie intensifies, with spoilers hinting at violent plans involving Alex. The threat is real, escalating, and could force Alex into a defining moment of heroism—or tragedy.

Meanwhile, Holly Jonas returns from Paris transformed, bristling with attitude and resentment. Her behavior toward Tate and Ari suggests the beginning of a new teen rivalry, one that could reignite long-standing family tensions and usher in a new era of youthful chaos.

Salem on the Edge

The week of January 5–9, 2026, promises to be one of Days of Our Lives’ most explosive in recent memory. With a wedding poised to implode, a resurrection that defies nature, alliances forged in desperation, and danger stalking the innocent, Salem stands on the brink of irreversible change.