This is not just another week in Salem. This is the kind of week that rewrites futures, fractures loyalties, and exposes fault lines that have been quietly widening for months. As the January 5–9 preview unfolds, one truth becomes impossible to ignore: Salem is standing on the edge of something explosive—and when it finally detonates, no one will walk away untouched.

From corporate vendettas fueled by heartbreak to marriages imploding in public humiliation, from stalkers lurking in the shadows to villains rising from hospital beds, Days of Our Lives is firing on all cylinders. And if this promo is any indication, the end of one era may already be underway.

Xander vs. Brady: When Heartbreak Becomes a Declaration of War

The week kicks off with a jaw-dropping power move that sends shockwaves through Titan Industries—and beyond. Xander Cook fires Brady Black. But make no mistake: this isn’t business. This is personal.

Xander has never been subtle when it comes to love, especially where Sarah Horton is concerned. His devotion has driven him to reckless extremes before, and seeing Sarah grow close to Brady again—sharing kisses, laughter, and unmistakable intimacy—pushes him straight past the point of restraint. When Brady dares to accuse Xander of letting jealousy cloud his judgment, he’s not wrong. But Xander doesn’t care.

To Xander, firing Brady isn’t about corporate structure or professionalism. It’s about reclaiming control in a world where his heart feels perpetually out of reach. History tells us this never ends quietly. Xander doesn’t just lash out—he escalates. And with Titan caught in the crossfire, this feud threatens to spiral into full-blown corporate warfare, dragging innocent employees and allies into a battle fueled entirely by unresolved love and wounded pride.

The fallout won’t stop with pink slips. This is the opening salvo in a war that could permanently alter Titan—and the men fighting over Sarah’s heart.

Leo, Javi, and Dmitri: A Wedding Destroyed, a War Rekindled

Elsewhere, romance turns cruel as Leo Stark watches his already fragile happiness go up in flames. His marriage to Javi Hernandez—never legally sound and always emotionally precarious—is obliterated when Dmitri von Leuschner storms in and blows the whole thing apart.

For Leo, this is more than humiliation. It’s heartbreak layered with betrayal. He believed—perhaps foolishly—that this time could be different. That convenience might evolve into stability. Instead, he’s left sobbing alone, confronted with the painful truth that Dmitri still holds power over his heart.

But Dmitri’s actions aren’t about justice or legality. They’re about possession. He cannot stand to see Leo move on, especially when he was the one who pushed him away. This is obsession masquerading as passion, and it signals that their story is far from over.

Salem thrives on twisted love stories, and this one is primed for another devastating chapter. Whether it ends in reconciliation or revenge, one thing is certain: Leo and Dmitri are not finished destroying each other.

A Quiet New Year… and the Calm Before the Storm

At the Horton House, Julie Williams rings in the New Year with hope shining in her eyes. She believes—against all evidence—that happiness is possible. That peace might finally settle over Salem.

Standing beside her is Jeremy Horton, a figure wrapped in quiet intensity and unanswered questions. His return has been calm, almost too calm. In Salem, that’s never accidental. Returning characters rarely come without secrets, and Jeremy’s presence feels like the prelude to a mystery still forming in the shadows.

This moment of warmth and optimism isn’t just sentimentality—it’s contrast. Because what comes next will test everything the Hortons believe about family, trust, and legacy.

Stephanie and Alex: Love on Display, Danger in the Shadows

Stephanie Johnson and Alex Kiriakis celebrate their engagement in the town square, their joy openly displayed for all to see. It’s romantic. It’s hopeful. And it’s deeply unsettling—because someone is watching.

A hooded figure films them from the shadows, turning their happiest moment into potential evidence. This isn’t coincidence. This is surveillance.

The implications are terrifying. Is Alex’s past catching up with him? Is Stephanie the true target? Or is this connected to the broader web of Kiriakis enemies who never forget a slight?

This stalker isn’t just a nuisance. They represent a threat that could weaponize secrets, manipulate narratives, and tear apart a relationship built on fragile trust. And Salem knows all too well that once someone starts recording, destruction is never far behind.

Kristen and Peter: A Villain Awakens

In one of the promo’s most chilling moments, Kristen DiMera believes she has finally won. She decides Peter Blake’s fate, pulling the plug without hesitation. But Salem never rewards certainty—especially not villainous certainty.

Peter wakes up.

Grabbing Kristen’s hand, he shatters her sense of control in an instant. His survival changes everything. Peter Blake is not a man who forgets betrayal, and he is certainly not one who forgives it.

This development threatens to unravel whatever dark plans Kristen has been weaving. Worse, it opens the door to a dangerous alliance—or a devastating vendetta. Either way, Peter’s return places another volatile piece back on Salem’s chessboard, and no one should underestimate how far he’s willing to go.

Theo Carver Returns… and So Does the Danger

Finally, Theo Carver awakens from his coma, bringing relief to Abe and Paulina—and a fresh wave of terror for viewers. Because even in recovery, Theo is not safe.

He’s confused. Vulnerable. And someone is filming him.

The suggestion that his ordeal is tied to the DiMera family sends a shiver through Salem. If Theo knows something—saw something—his memories could be deadly. The DiMeras don’t leave loose ends, and Theo’s awakening may have turned him into one.

This isn’t just about healing. It’s about survival. And if Theo’s memories resurface, they could expose a secret powerful enough to ignite a war that engulfs Salem’s most dangerous family.

The Verdict: Salem Is About to Explode

This upcoming week promises betrayal, obsession, revenge, and revelations with consequences that will echo for months. Relationships will be tested. Villains will rise. And the line between love and destruction will blur beyond recognition.

If the question is whether the end is here, the answer may be more unsettling: it’s not the end of Days of Our Lives—it’s the end of life as Salem knows it.

Brace yourselves. The explosion is coming.