Days of Our Lives is delivering its most jaw-dropping, blood-pressure-raising week yet—and fans are in for a wild ride from July 14th to 18th. Just when you thought Salem couldn’t get any more volatile, it detonates! With secrets unraveling faster than you can say “custody battle,” and shocking twists flying left and right, the latest drama centers around two of Salem’s most dangerous men—Xander Cook and EJ DiMera—and their descent into chaos.

Let’s break it all down…

😡 XANDER COOK SNAPS – KIDNAPS HIS OWN DAUGHTER IN RAGING MELTDOWN!

It all begins in the hallowed halls of the Kiriakis Mansion—a symbol of wealth and legacy. But this week, it becomes a battleground. Xander Cook, already a ticking time bomb, finally detonates.

Furious over a seemingly harmless request from Sarah Horton to take little Victoria on a family getaway to Bermuda with her mother, Maggie, Xander goes full scorched earth. To outsiders, it sounds like a loving mother-daughter-grandma trip. But to Xander? It’s a sinister plot to steal his child away forever.

Without a shred of hesitation—or a custody agreement—Xander storms into the Kiriakis estate like a man possessed and snatches Victoria right out from under Sarah’s nose. Forget courtrooms or mediation. This is vigilante fatherhood on steroids.

🚨 Sarah is left in shock—and the viewers with their jaws on the floor—as Xander flees into the night, gripping Victoria with one hand and his rage with the other. He swears he’s doing what’s best for his daughter, but long-time fans know: Xander’s best intentions often lead to the worst consequences.

🧨 MAGGIE VS XANDER: A GRANDMOTHER’S DESPERATE CALL

The matriarch of the Horton clan isn’t taking this lying down. After pleading with Xander to see reason, Maggie is forced to do the unthinkable—she calls the police. In a heart-pounding moment, she dials Sarah and emergency services, launching a legal firestorm that could shatter their family forever.

But will law enforcement get to him in time? And what will the courts say about a father who kidnaps his own daughter in a fit of fury?

💥 PHILIP KIRIAKIS POURS FUEL ON THE FIRE

Enter Philip Kiriakis, who never misses a chance to stir the pot. In a cutting scene, he reminds Xander of how Victor Kiriakis—his late father—always saw Philip as the golden child and Xander as the screw-up.

The insult hits Xander like a freight train, feeding his spiral of insecurity and bitterness. Could Philip be Sarah’s secret weapon in court? His disdain for Xander and loyalty to Sarah might just push him to expose Xander’s long history of rage and volatility.

🧠 EJ’S SINISTER DECEPTION: A DEEP FAKE VIDEO AND A FRAME-UP!

But while Xander’s drama explodes on one side of Salem, another disaster is being meticulously constructed by the ever-cunning EJ DiMera.

Behind his suave exterior and ‘family-first’ persona, EJ has been brewing a masterclass in manipulation. His new weapon? A fake video showing Chanel DuPree threatening him during a heated argument.

It’s all a setup—one intended to frame Chanel, destroy her marriage to Johnny DiMera, and redirect the heat away from Johnny in the attempted murder case. EJ’s objective is crystal clear: protect his son at all costs—even if it means destroying Chanel’s life with a carefully crafted lie.

But here’s the kicker: the video is a deep fake, a technologically enhanced forgery created with the help of tech-genius Rita Maggie Carney. There’s no real threat. No weapon. Just a vicious performance from EJ, whose devilish grin hides a thousand secrets.

👀 BELLE BLACK SENSES SOMETHING’S OFF

Belle Black watches the video and smells something fishy. She might not have concrete proof (yet), but her legal instincts tell her EJ’s up to no good. EJ fakes shock when she shows him the clip—but we all know he’s the mastermind.

The pressure is mounting. If the Salem PD gets the video tested for authenticity, EJ’s entire scheme could collapse like a house of cards. But time is running out—and EJ knows it.

🔍 JADA HUNTER GRILLS CHANEL – BUT SHE’S NOT BACKING DOWN!

Over at the precinct, Detective Jada Hunter goes full-blown bad cop on Chanel, interrogating her over the video. But Chanel isn’t cracking. Despite the trap EJ set, she stays composed, denying ever threatening EJ or being involved in any violent act.

The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Chanel’s life and freedom are hanging in the balance—and EJ’s watching like a puppet master in the shadows.

🔮 HYPNOSIS FOR TRUTH?! EJ’S MEMORY MISSION TAKES A WILD TURN

Meanwhile, with EJ still struggling with partial amnesia, he’s hell-bent on clearing Johnny’s name. Enter the most controversial move yet: hypnosis.

Belle Black floats the idea—if EJ’s memory could be unlocked through hypnosis, maybe the truth about the night of the shooting would come flooding back. But is that a Pandora’s Box Salem is ready to open?

What if EJ’s mind holds not just the truth—but more secrets than even he realizes?

😱 ACROSS TOWN: ARI & HOLLY KIDNAPPED IN SHOCKING TWIST

In yet another explosive subplot, Ari Horton and Holly Jonas are abducted by Richie Dominic, a ruthless loan shark with a sadistic streak.

Bound, masked, and terrified, the girls find themselves locked in a dark hideout. The reason? A debt owed by Doug Williams III. The stakes are sky-high as Richie cryptically hints at deadly consequences if Doug doesn’t pay.

Holly, wise beyond her years, begins questioning whether they’ll even make it out alive. And Ari? She’s clinging to hope, whispering prayers in the dark. Their bond, their fear, and the ticking clock make these scenes some of the most intense Salem has aired in years.

🧨 FROM BETRAYAL TO BREAKDOWN: THE FUTURE OF SALEM IS ON A KNIFE’S EDGE

The fallout from these chaotic events will ripple through Salem for weeks—if not months.

• Will Xander be arrested? Could his actions permanently cost him custody of Victoria?

• Will Sarah be able to protect her daughter and herself from Xander’s wrath?

• Will EJ’s deep fake scheme unravel, or will it succeed in destroying Chanel’s reputation?

• Could Johnny uncover his father’s betrayal—and if so, will their bond ever recover?

• And most critically… will Ari and Holly survive Richie’s twisted plot?

🌀 THE STORM HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN

This is Days of Our Lives at its most dangerous, emotional, and addictively chaotic.

The soap’s signature blend of family feuds, twisted love, shocking betrayals, and life-or-death stakes is on full display. The battle lines are drawn, and as fans know all too well—in Salem, no one is ever safe for long.

So buckle up, because from courtroom showdowns to explosive reveals, this is a week you’ll never forget.

Stay tuned and sound off in the comments:
👉 Should Xander lose custody for good?
👉 Is EJ beyond redemption?
👉 Can Chanel survive this setup?

Because in Salem, every truth hides a lie, and every ally could be your worst enemy. 💥💣🔥