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DAYS The Rinse: Cheers to The Xander and EJ Showdown

The Rinse: Our daily look at the biggest takeaway from the last episode of DAYS. Xander and EJ’s latest clash proves why these equally matched rivals make for fascinating television.

EJ and Xander are featured in The Rinse for Days of our Lives on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.Image Credit: Peacock

On the September 29 episode of Days of our Lives, EJ DiMera and Xander Kiriakis went head-to-head. Each got some good jabs in. And viewers were the real winners.

Key Takeaways

  • Xander and EJ trade jabs over Sarah, the hospital, and the Kiriakis mansion.
  • Dominic Marino’s mysterious moves have both men increasingly frustrated.
  • Xander and EJ’s similarities make them compelling, evenly matched rivals.

Xander (Paul Telfer, who teases the states of his character roughly a year from now) barged into EJ’s house, shouting about Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) facing a lawsuit and blaming EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) for it.

EJ pointed out that Sarah once blamed herself, and that she absolutely misdiagnosed Destiny (Sarah Bartholomew). He agreed with Xander’s taunts that he was about to lose the hospital, but insisted he wasn’t about to let his biggest achievement, the free clinic, be dragged down by Sarah’s incompetence.

Xander Gets Under EJ’s Skin, Then Loses His Cool

Xander reminded EJ that he hasn’t only lost the hospital, but he was also outbid on the Kiriakis Mansion, and that the mysterious Dominic Marino seems to be gobbling up everything EJ wants.

EJ admitted he doesn’t know who the man is or what he wants, and that this perturbs him somewhat. While Xander kept it together in front of his nemesis, he eventually stepped outside and had a bit of a hissy fit.

Why Xander vs. EJ Is the Rivalry DAYS Needed

Our compliments to DAYS for setting up this conflict in which not only are the two combatants equally matched, but neither one is completely innocent, nor completely guilty. Both have done rotten things, and yet both have proven that they have hearts.

They are equally rich and powerful, and equally prone to putting their fortunes — and families — at risk. This is the kind of rivalry we’re eager to see more of! We don’t know who will win in the end, but we do know we’re looking forward to watching them fight for it!

MORE: Here’s what’s next on DAYS.

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