Salem is heading into one of its most explosive weeks yet, as Days of Our Lives unleashes a perfect storm of long-buried secrets, shocking resurrections,

and carefully laid traps that threaten to unravel lives across town. The weekly video preview for January 26–30, 2026, promises high-stakes drama on every front —

from a startling return from the dead to the chilling confirmation of a DiMera patriarch’s fate, all while revenge plots quietly gather momentum behind the scenes.

As the week unfolds, the show leans heavily into its most iconic themes: life after death, betrayal within families, and the dangerous consequences of underestimating one’s enemies. Every storyline collides with another, reminding viewers why Salem remains the most unpredictable town on daytime television.

A Resurrection That Defies Reason

The week opens with a moment that feels ripped straight from Days of Our Lives history — a resurrection that leaves even longtime schemers stunned. Gwen Rizczech finds herself face-to-face with the ever-unsettling Dr. Wilhelm Rolf, a man whose name alone sends chills through Salem. Their conversation quickly takes a jaw-dropping turn when Gwen realizes the true nature of Rolf’s latest secret project.

“You brought the brat back to life,” Gwen gasps, her shock unmistakable.

The implication is staggering. Resurrection has always been part of the show’s DNA, but this moment signals that Dr. Rolf’s obsession with playing God is far from over. Whoever has been brought back from the dead is clearly someone whose absence once shaped Salem — and whose return could rewrite multiple storylines at once.

For Gwen, this revelation is more than just a scientific marvel; it’s a potential weapon. Gwen has never been one to ignore leverage, and the knowledge that someone has been resurrected could become a powerful bargaining chip — or a devastating threat — depending on who learns the truth.

The DiMera Crypt Finally Gives Up Its Secret

While one Salemite rises, another chapter comes to a definitive end. EJ DiMera returns home only to face a truth he can no longer outrun. His confrontation with Police Commissioner Rafe Hernandez delivers one of the most emotional blows the DiMera family has ever endured.

EJ’s question is simple, but loaded with dread: “Do you know who the bones belong to?”

Rafe’s answer changes everything. The skeletal remains found in the DiMera crypt have been positively identified as Stefano DiMera.

For decades, Stefano’s deaths were temporary — illusions that fueled his legend as the Phoenix. This time, however, the confirmation feels final. There is no mystery left, no room for hopeful denial. Stefano is gone.

The impact on EJ is immediate and profound. This isn’t just about losing a father; it’s about losing the shadow that defined his entire existence. With Stefano officially laid to rest, the DiMera empire enters uncharted territory. The question looming over Salem is no longer whether Stefano will return — but who will truly replace him.

A Dangerous Trap — and a Deadly Mistake

Across town, another life-or-death situation quietly escalates. Steve Johnson believes he has finally found a way to end the nightmare tormenting his daughter. Determined to protect Stephanie at any cost, Steve devises a bold plan to lure her stalker into the open.

Confident and focused, Steve assures Stephanie and her fiancé, Alex, that the trap will work. The idea is simple but risky: create an opportunity so tempting that the stalker won’t be able to resist.

“He will definitely show up for this,” Steve insists. “We’ll make sure he sees a chance to get Stephanie alone — and that’s when we take him down.”

What Steve doesn’t know is that the stalker is already one step ahead.

Unbeknownst to the family, the apartment has been bugged. Every word of their plan has been overheard. The predator knows the trap is coming — and that knowledge shifts the balance of power in terrifying ways.

Instead of catching a criminal, Steve and Alex may be walking straight into an ambush of their own.

A Shocking Revelation Rocks Abe Carver

Elsewhere, Rafe Hernandez finds himself delivering yet another devastating revelation — this time to Abe Carver. What begins as a routine update quickly turns into a moment that leaves Abe reeling.

Rafe reveals that Liam, the man Abe has been tutoring and trusting, may not be who he claims to be. In fact, evidence suggests Liam may have played a role in kidnapping Abe’s son.

The betrayal cuts deep. Abe is not only a respected leader in Salem but a man who believes in giving others second chances. To learn that his compassion may have been exploited shakes him to his core.

This revelation threatens to ignite a personal reckoning for Abe — one that could force him to reconsider how well he truly knows the people around him, and whether his faith in others has put his family in danger.

Gwen’s Revenge Plot Takes a Sinister Turn

As chaos unfolds across Salem, Gwen quietly makes a move of her own. Backed into a corner by the Von Leuschner family and stripped of her power, Gwen reaches out to someone from the past — a voice steeped in old grudges and unfinished vendettas.

“Do you still hate the Von Leuscheners as much as you used to?” Gwen asks during a mysterious phone call.

The response is chilling: “More.”

The voice strongly suggests Vivian Alamain, a woman whose history with powerful families is as ruthless as it is legendary. If Vivian is indeed stepping back into the fray, Dimitri von Leuschner may be facing an enemy far more dangerous than he realizes.

This alliance signals that Gwen’s storyline is far from over. What began as desperation may soon transform into a calculated campaign of revenge — one that could dismantle the Von Leuschner empire from the inside out.

A Week That Redefines Salem

The January 26–30 week encapsulates everything Days of Our Lives does best: blending legacy characters with fresh danger, emotional fallout with high-concept twists. Resurrection and death collide. Trust turns into betrayal. Carefully laid plans unravel under the weight of secrets.

By the end of the week, Salem will look very different. A DiMera era officially closes. A stalker grows bolder. A father’s heart breaks. And a vengeful alliance begins to form in the shadows.