Happy Holiday Havoc, SmackDown!

Damage CTRL takes on all of their enemies at once, and AJ Styles has his in-ring return to SmackDown by taking on The Tribal Chief’s Enforcer, Solo Sikoa!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Woman Tag Holiday Havoc: Damage CTRL VS Bianca Belair, Shotzi Blackheart, Mia Yim & Zelina Vega; Bianca, Shotzi, Mia & Zelina win.
• NXT North American Championship: Dragon Lee VS Pete Dunne; Dragon wins and retains the title.
• WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, Semifinal: Kevin Owens VS Carmelo Hayes; Kevin wins and advances to the finals.
• WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, Semifinal: Santos Escobar VS Bobby Lashley; Santos wins and advances to the finals.
• AJ Styles VS Solo Sikoa; Styles wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

AJ Styles is here!

The fans are torn as the Phenomenal One makes his way to the ring. Last week was Styles’ return after three MONTHS of being away after what The Bloodline did to him, and he is going to start his revenge tour against Solo Sikoa later tonight. But for now, Styles gets a mic to say, “Randy Orton wants Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble. LA Knight… wants Roman Reigns any time, any place, anywhere. And I don’t blame either one of them. And I don’t give a damn about Randy Orton or LA Knight.” The fans boo but Styles wants us to understand: Styles is number one when it comes to getting his hands on Roman Reigns. Styles wants Roman at the Rumble.

But here comes LA Knight! The fans fire up as The Mega Star has his own mic, and he takes off his sunglasses to say, “LEMME TALK TO YA! I ain’t gonna come out here and argue with ya about who gets Roman Reigns first. If it’s Randy Orton, if it’s you, NAH NAH! Cuz there’s nothing to argue about. You gotta consider something right now. After what happened to me at Crown Jewel, I tell ya what. You can have Roman Reigns… after I get him first.” The fans say “YEAH!” Knight will put it like this: Roman Reigns is gonna get Knight first with everybody saying “L A KNIGHT, YEAH!!” But considering what happened last week, the first one on Knight’s list damn sure better be Styles!

Oh, Knight forgets so easily that he stepped over Styles’ dead body to get his match with Cena against The Bloodline, then got his title match at Crown Jewel. Knight joins Styles in the ring as Styles says if anyone gets in his way, he’ll drop them, too. So here comes Randy Orton! The Viper makes his way out here, a mic of his own in hand. Orton can appreciate both Knight and Styles and their issues with Roman Reigns & The Bloodline. But… Roman Reigns & The Bloodline put Orton on the shelf for 18 MONTHS. Now Orton enjoyed being at home, but he was missing his second home which is this ring.

So Orton will tell Styles and Knight, nothing will get in his ring. But then Knight stops Orton there. No disrespect, but to point something out, The Bloodline took Styles out, and The Bloodline took Orton out. But does anyone remember them taking Knight out? NAH NAH! So that makes Knight bulletproof. Orton and Styles fell, so that means they can take all they want out on The Bloodline, but Knight gets Roman Reigns! Nick Aldis walks out here to have these three calm down. He wants to have their attention for just a moment. This is in fact a situation we find ourselves in.

As Aldis sees it, they all have a legitimate claim at Roman Reigns, so he’ll give them a legitimate opporutnity to earn that shot at Roman Reigns. So in two weeks, SmackDown: New Year’s Revolution, it will be AJ Styles VS LA Knight VS Randy Orton in a Triple Threat #1 Contender’s Match! The winner moves on to face Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble. The fans like the sound of that! Styles says fine, whatever it takes to get at Roman. See you two at New Year’s Revolution. But if anyone gets close to this ring during Styles’ match with Solo, he takes them out, too. The Phenomenal One, The Mega Star or the Apex Predator, who will win out to face the Head of the Table?

8 Woman Tag Holiday Havoc: Damage CTRL VS Bianca Belair, Shotzi Blackheart, Mia Yim & Zelina Vega!

Bayley, Iyo Sky, Asuka & Kairi have issued their mission statement to take over the ENTIRE WWE Women’s Division, but standing in their way is perhaps the wildEST quartet yet! Will Bianca, Shotzi, #Michin & La Muneca deck the halls when they deck DMG CTRL? Or will the Role Model, Evil Genius & Kabuki Warriors be having the Happy New Year?

SmackDown returns as DMG CTRL makes their entrance. The bell rings and the eight all brawl! No disqualifications, no count-outs, no tagging needed, it’s just pinfall or submission to win! As such, most of the brawling spills out to the outside, Shotzi sending Bayley into barriers, and Bianca stomps a mudhole into Iyo in a corner. Fans fire up, Dakota can only watch as Bianca whips Iyo corner to corner. Iyo reverses, Bianca goes up and over, then Bianca wrenches and reels Iyo in to suplex! Iyo slips free, pulls the hair, but Bianca uses that to reel Iyo in. Iyo ducks, dodges, handsprings, and the two stand off.

Iyo taunts Bianca, Bianca runs in, but Iyo dodges, drops, but Bianca handsprings to DROPKICK! Bianca kips up, fans fire up, and Bianca eggs Iyo on. Iyo runs in but Bianca wrenches to a stalling suplex! Cover, Bayley breaks it! Bayley stomps Bianca, kicks her out of the ring, but Shotzi is back to BOOT! And Shotzi has a big present box! Shotzi opens it up, and she got a chair for Christmas! Shotzi sets that down but Bayley DECKS her! Bayley stomps Shotzi, takes the chair, and she sits it up in a corner. Bayley brings Shotzi over, but Shotzi fights the suplex to wrench and whip. Shotzi drop toeholds, but Bayley keeps from hitting chair!

Bayley fires forearm son Shotzi, but then Shotzi gets around and wheelbarrows, victory roll! TWO, and Bayley swings. Shotzi blocks to CHOP! And then Shotzi knuckle locks to go up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAG! Bayley staggers, Shotzi ENZIGURIS her down! Shotzi grabs the chair, brings it around, and then runs to use it as a step, for the BALLPIT SENTON! Fans fire up while Bayley bails out. Shotzi slides her chair out, then coordinates with teammates. Mia gets up to open the ropes, so that Shotzi can DIVE! She takes out Bayley AND Iyo and they almost hit presents! Mia & Zelina now coordinate, but the Kabuki Warriors SMACK them with kendo sticks!

Asuka hits Zelina, Kairi hits Mia, then they soak up the heat. But Bianca & Shotzi return, they have kendo sticks, too! SMACK for Asuka and SMACK for Kairi! Fans fire up, Dakota panics, but then Bianca & Shotzi head out to go looking for goodies under the ring. They find a TABLE! The fans are loving this, but Bayley & Iyo attack first! Bayley & Iyo lift the table, and use it to CLOBBER Shotzi & Bianca! Fans boo as DMG CTRL dances and cheers, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns in time for Bianca & Mia to DOUBLE SUPERPLEX Bayley onto present boxes! But then the Kabuki Warriors DOUBLE SUPER BACK SUPLEX Shotzi!! They’re all down and the fans are thunderous! Dakota coaches DMG CTRL, Iyo has Zelina on the outside. But Zelina turns suplex into DDT to the floor! Asuka stands, roars, “This is Awesome!” as Mia and Asuka dodge kick after kick. Asuka SOBATS, KICKS, and URAKENS! Mia blocks the buzzsaw to POWERBOMB Asuka! But Iyo springboard MISSILE DROPKICKS Mia down! Cover, Bianca breaks it! The fans rally, Bayley is back, but Bianca slips under to sunset flip! TWO!

Bianca kicks Bayley low, tosses her out, but Iyo rolls Bianca! TWO, and Iyo SHOTEIS! Iyo runs, Bianca kicks her, then has a present box! BOP, and the box is stuck on Iyo’s head! Iyo staggers around blindly, Bianca Electric Chair Lifts and Shotzi is up top! MERRY CHRISTMAS DOOMSDAY!! Cover, Asuka breaks it!! Asuka tosses Shotzi out, pursues, and Kairi smashes open a new box. She gets a trash can lid! TRASH CAN URAKEN for Shotzi!! Then Kairi sends Shotzi into a tree! But Zelina has a chair! She SMACKS Kairi! But Dakota PIES Zelina!! Zelina is furious, it’s all in her hair! But then Asuka BLUE MISTS Zelina!! That’s all in her EYES!

Asuka swaggers around, taunts Zelina, and Bayley CLOBBERS Bianca! Bayley TOSSES Bianca out, then coordinates with the others. Asuka stomps Bianca, Bayley joins in, and they call for the others. Kairi staggers up and over, pushes a tree down so she can stomp away on Bianca. Bayley sets the table up and calls for them to get Bianca in. The Kabuki Warriors feed Bianca to Bayley, and then decide to see what’s in the big boxes. They open it up, and SURPRISE! It’s Isla Dawn! And from the other box, Alba Fyre! It’s a Nightmare Before Christmas as these two beat up on the Kabuki Warriors!

Kairi gets put in the Gory Especial, for SOMETHING WICKED! Bayley is freaking out, but she hurries to go after Bianca. Bianca ELBOWS Bayley, but Bayley clinches in return! Bianca fights Bayley2Belly, torture racks, and KISS OF DEATH! But Iyo is up top, OVER THE MOONSAULT!! But Mia reels Iyo in, EAT DA FEET! Iyo ends up on the table, Mia goes to the corner! Mia climbs, and Mia SUPER SENTONS through the table!! Cover, Mia’s team wins!

Winner: Bianca Belair, Shotzi Blackheart, Mia Yim & Zelina Vega, by pinfall

DMG CTRL can’t believe it! The EST and team takes the win, with a little help from the spooky scary Fyre & Dawn. Will this all ruin things for DMG CTRL in 2024 already?

The Bloodline meets in their private suite.

Jimmy Uso says he knows what it is to be under pressure. You gotta be able to call the hot route, the audible. Right? Hands in, Solo on three. Roman Reigns is confused by all that. And he asks The Wise Man about this SmackDown General Manager. It’s Aldis. Nick Aldis. Then bring him to Roman. “Um, My Tribal Chief, if I could have a moment of your time to brief you on this Nick Aldis…” No, no. Bring him to Roman. Yes, My Tribal Chief. Heyman heads out, but will nothing Roman does intimidate the GM?

NXT North American Championship: Dragon Lee VS Pete Dunne!

The Boy Wonder made it through Charlie Dempsey AND Joe Coffey on NXT this past Tuesday, but he continues his series of defenses right here on SmackDown. Will Dragon Lee continue to reign through the holidays? Or will the Bruiserweight go from former NXT UK Champion to new NXT North American Champion?

SmackDown returns and Dunne makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has a Feliz Navidad!

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally as the two tie up, and Dragon wrenches to a wristlock. Dunne rolls, kips, rolls again and wrenches. Dragon cartwheels, headlocks, but Dunne powers out. Dragon anticipates and victory rolls, TWO! Dunne hits a FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Dragon stacks to a cover, TWO! Dunne avoids a boot, Dragon avoids a boot, and both men block kicks! They both let go quickly and fans applaud the standoff. The two reset, then Dunne DECKS Dragon! Fans applaud, Dunne drags Dragon up and wrenches to then wrangle Dragon down. Dunne grinds his elbow into the shoulder, then he drops knees on the elbow!

Dunne bends the arm, and the fingers, and he tortures Dragon! Dunne then stands to stomp the arm! Dunne CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Dragon, then whips. Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! Dunne goes to a corner, Dragon JUMP KICKS, leg sweeps, COMBINACION DRAGON! Dragon drags Dunne up, reels him in but Dunne gets free. Dunne CHOPS again, runs up, but Dragon pops him up and SUPERKICKS him upside-down! Dunne tumbles out, fans rally up and Dragon builds speed. Dragon DIVES into a GAMANGIRI! Dunne drags Dragon out now, and he APRON X-PLEXES! Dragon writhes and Dunne seethes while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Dunne again tortures Dragon’s arm and fingers! Dunne goes piggy by piggy, but Dragon gets the ROPEBREAK! Dunne lets go to stomp Dragon’s arm! Dragon bails out, Dunne pursues, and Dunne stands on Dragon’s hands, to STOMP them on the apron! Then he ASAI- NO, Dragon dodges the moonsault! Dunne hurries back up, but into a FLYING RANA! Fans fire up, Dragon puts Dunne back in and Dunne goes to a corner. Dragon takes aim, runs corner to corner, BULL’S HORNS! Shoutout to his hermano, and Dragon reels Dunne in. But Dunne slips free of the bomb to TYLER DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO!!

The shoutout to the Big Strong Boi wasn’t enough and Dunne grows frustrated. The fans rally, Dunne glares as Dragon stirs. Dunne sits Dragon up to CHOP! Dragon CHOPS back! Dunne CHOPS, CHPOS and CHOPS, but Dragon fires up! Dragon CHPOS, BOOTS, and ripcords, but Dunne ROCKS him with a forearm! Then an ENZIGURI! Dragon is right back to V-TRIGGER! Dunne stays up, Dragon runs in, but into a SNAP GERMAN! Dragon flounders up, but he sidesteps to SNAP GERMAN! But Dunne STOMPS the hands, BUZZSAWS, and then X-PLEX, that Dragon lands out of! Then he slips through to SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!

Dunne survives, the fans fire up, and “This is Awesome!’ Dunne goes to a corner, Dragon runs up, but Dunne BOOTS him! Dunne goes up, Dragon trips him up! Dragon has Dunne in the Tree of Woe then climbs up. But Dragon gets the fingers! Dunne SNAPS those! But Dragon still WOE STOMPS!! Dragon shakes out the bad hand, gets his fingers reset, and then runs in, but into a POP-UP FOREARM!! Dunne hauls Dragon up, pump handles and BITTER- DESTROYER?!? Dragon turns things around at last second, then runs in! OPERACION DRAGON!!! Cover, Dragon wins!!

Winner: Dragon Lee, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

A fiery match between young stars, and Dragon shakes Dunne’s hand in respect. Will Dragon continue his win streak between both SmackDown and NXT? What will it take for Dunne to feel like himself again?

Paul Heyman returns to the suite.

The Wise Man smiles as he brings SmackDown General Manager, Nick Aldis, to The Tribal Chief. Roman has Heyman leave them, and then Aldis takes a seat. Roman asks Aldis how he knew Roman wasn’t talking to him. Well, Aldis wouldn’t care if he was. Very good. Roman says, “You booked the Triple Threat match?” Aldis did. And Aldis booked Solo VS Styles? He did. Those are pretty good ideas. Y’know what would’ve been better? If Aldis had ran it all by Roman first. See, Roman is the Tribal Chief, Head of the Table. Everything goes through him. Aldis needs to understand that. Adam Pearce did.

Well now Roman is just trying to hurt Aldis’ feelings. Roman has forgotten that Aldis is an executive. He doesn’t have feelings. But while on the subject of Pearce, Pearce was a middle management type. Aldis is a general manager type. The buck stops with Aldis. Aldis is the sharp end of the stick on SmackDown now. And speaking of Solo… He’s a big boy. He took care of John Cena! In a way that no one, not even Roman Reigns, did. So Aldis is looking forward seeing Solo VS Styles, just like Aldis is so looking forward to the Triple Threat match, and to the winner of that match facing Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble for the Universal Championship.

But Aldis appreciated the invitation. He looks to more productive dialogue, and to getting to know each other better. Roman is seething, but has he been put in his place for once?

WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, Semifinal: Kevin Owens VS Carmelo Hayes!

Even with a broken freakin’ hand, the Prizefighter was able to KO Austin Theory Live. But now, for the first time ever, he faces… HIM. Will Kevin #JustKeepFighting his way into the finals? Or will even Kevin see that Melo Don’t Miss?

SmackDown returns as Melo makes his entrance. But Logan Paul has a new video message. Melo impressed Logan, but now he’s against the disgusting Kevin, who shouldn’t even have advanced because we all saw him cheat. “Where is your integrity?” The Maverick has his opinions, but will he have to eat his words one way or another tonight? The bell rings and the two tie up. Kevin powers Melo to ropes, lets off, and the two reset. They tie up, Kevin trips Melo and then has a headlock. Melo moves, Kevin slips around to a waistlock then a facelock. Melo trips Kevin now, but Kevin headlocks again.

They keep moving, Kevin waistlocks but Melo slips under to wrangle Kevin. Kevin has the ROPEBREAK, Melo lets off, and the two reset again. Fans rally, the two circle, and they tie up. Kevin headlocks and grinds Melo. Melo powers out the back, headlocks again, but Kevin powers out of that. Melo and Kevin RAM shoulders, but neither falls. Melo runs, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS! Kevin comes back with a sweep and cover, ONE! Melo sweeps and covers, ONE! Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges but Kevin avoids the dropkick! Melo avoids the senton to DROPKICK! Melo kips up and the fans fire up while Kevin cools off.

Kevin stands to CHPO and Melo falls! Kevin KICKS Melo again and again then stomps away! Melo goes to a corner, Kevin drags him up and CHOPS! Melo goes to another corner, Kevin CHOPS again! Kevin then throws a forearm, but with the bad hand! Kevin shakes out his arm, Melo fires shots in return! Melo runs, but Kevin drops. Kevin CLOBBERS Melo, then SENTONS! Fans fire up as Kevin huffs and puffs. Kevin drags Melo up, whips him to ropes, but Melo springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Fans fire up again, Melo runs up but Kevin sends him up and out. Melo lands on his feet to trip Kevin and drag him out.

Melo SMACKS Kevin off the apron, gets back int he ring and slingshot, but Kevin avoids the plancha to RAM Melo into steel steps! Kevin seethes, the fans cheer, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Kevin whips. Melo rolls off Kevin’s back to scoop and SLAM! Melo and Kevin both catch their breath, and Kevin stands to swing. Melo blocks to ROCK and CHOP and whip. Kevin reverses but Melo goes up and over. Melo ENZIGURIS and Kevin wobbles. Melo ROCKS Kevin, snapmares, and SCISSOR KICKS! Cover, TWO! Kevin is still in this and Melo grows frustrated. Melo drags Kevin up, reels him in, and fans rally. Kevin suplexes Melo first! Melo slips free, waistlocks but Kevin elbows free. Kevin ROCKS Melo, CHOPS him, but that’s the bad hand! Kevin still runs, but Melo BOOTS him!

Melo runs, tilt-o-whirl, LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO! Melo ponds the mat in frustration but the fans rally for Kevin, Melo reels Kevin in, but Kevin hoists Melo onto the ropes! TOP ROPE DRAPING DDT!! Cover, TWO?!? Melo survives but Kevin rises up. The fans fire up and Kevin aims at the corner. Kevin runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! But Kevin SUPERKICKS! Melo kicks, Kevin blocks and kicks to tuck the arms! PACKAGE- NO, Melo slips up and out! Kevin BOOTS, CHOPS, then CHOPS! Kevin whips, Melo springboards but Kevin dodges to CLOBBER Melo! Kevin whips Melo, POP-UP, FIRST 48!!! And Melo goes ot the corner!

Kevin stands, Melo leaps, but Kevin dodges! POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives and Kevin is shocked! But Kevin hurries up top, and he SWANTON BOMBS! Kevin then kicks and STUNNERS!! Melo flops over, Kevin covers, Kevin wins!

Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Melo’s one miss cost him, and Kevin scores the game winning shot! Will Kevin #JustKeepFighting until he’s facing Logan Paul?

The OC finds AJ Styles backstage.

Mia is happy to have Styles back and she gives him a hug. Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows are also back, and Machine Gun points out they haven’t heard a thing from Styles. They didn’t think he was coming back. Is he good? Styles has Mia let him go, and he isn’t sure. Are they good? Styles leaves, the others aren’t sure what to make of that. Did something change about the Phenomenal One over these past three months?

Karrion Kross speaks.

“I know the power of words. How they lead to actions. We set the hour glass in front of the Bloodline. They were warned their implosion was coming, and we saw how that played out. I took away Drew McIntyre’s temperament, and he spiraled out of control. I took away Rey’s patience to such a degree, that he struck his own son in front of his mother. And just for fun, I took away Shinsuke Nakamura’s honor, and look at him now. But even the greatest proclamation is soon to be forgotten without a scribe. Without… authors.” Scarlett asks if we see the vision. Who are these giant silhouettes by Karrion’s side? Perhaps we’ll find out sooner rather than later.

WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, Semifinal: Santos Escobar VS Bobby Lashley!

The Emperor of Lucha vows to take what he feels is rightfully his, but he has to make it through The All Mighty. Logan Paul likes both guys, but do either of them think they really have what it takes to take the title? Logan says that is rhetorical, they don’t stand a chance. But will Logan again have to eat his words watching this one?

SmackDown returns as Santos makes his entrance. The bell rings and Santos rushes in, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! Lashley drags Santos up, whips him corner to corner and runs in to RAM him! Fans rally up, Lashley brings Santos around and bumps him off buckles. Lashley fires off hands, then clinches to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up, Santos flounders, and Lashley stalks him to ropes. Lashley drags Santos up, puts him in the corner, then TOSSES him across the way! Santos flounders, Ford & Dawkins joke that’s a homerun. But then Santos HOTSHOTS Lashley away! And GAMANGIRIS!

Santos heads up a corner, to leap, into a choke grip! Lashley TOSSES Santos up and out! Santos scrambles, practically afraid of Lashley’s incredible strength, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Santos builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit with the Arrow from Hell and down goes Lashley at the ramp! Fans rally for Lashley but Santos leaves him behind. The ring count starts, Lashley is dazed from the damage done during the break. Lashley gets back in the ring as the Profits coach him, but Santos KICKS away on a leg! Santos stomps Lashley in a corner, the ref counts, but Santos drags Lashley from the corner. Santos hits a spinning toehold on the bad leg! Cover, ONE!! Lashley goes to ropes, then a corner, but Santos runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! And then another DOUBLE KNEE!

Lashley flounders along ropes, goes to another corner, and Santos aims again. Santos runs in to DOUBLE KNEE one more time! Santos fires off fast hands from all sides, then he KICKS away on the bad leg! Santos hoists Lashley up top, throws hands, but Lashley CLUBS Santos! Santos GAMANGIRIS, then he climbs up. Fans boo but Santos grins as he brings Lashley up. But Lashley glares at Santos, and SHOVES him down! Lashley climbs down, hobbles on the bad leg, but he aims at Santos. Lashley manages to storm up, and FLATLINER! Fans rally as Lashley shakes out the bad leg. Lashley stalks Santos, but someone jumps the railing!

Security rushes to stop this masked interloper, gets him away, but Santos drops down to KICK Lashley! Santos runs up, but Lashley still hits the MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!! But then someone else in a mask CLOBBERS Ford! Dawkins rushes that guy, but he gets a JUMP KNEE from the first masked man! They mug Dawkins, Lashley storms after them, but Santos ENZIGURIS! Roll up, with tights! SANTOS WINS!!

Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Just who are these two fiends that helped Santos steal Christmas like the Grinch? IT’S GARZA & CARRILLO!! Santos celebrates with his new amigos, and claims this is his NEW family! Is this the beginning of un legado nuevo?

Backstage interview with Pete Dunne.

Cathy Kelley says tonight didn’t go his way, and Dunne says yeah, but he did what he always does, and that’s bring the fight. Dunne commends Dragon for bringing the fight, too, but then Pretty Deadly come walking in, singing carols. “On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me~… One~ lonely Buuutch~!” Dunne fires off on them both! Dunne RAMS Elton into a road case, fires off on Kit, but security rushes in! Aldis has them all stop! Aldis tells Dunne that they don’t fight back here, they fight in the ring. If Dunne wants Pretty Deadly, then he has to find himself a tag partner for New Year’s Revolution.

Dunne accepts that, but just who will join the Bruiserweight in going after Elton & Kit?

Logan Paul speaks, again.

“Y’know, I thought this tournament would lead me to facing the best WWE had to offer. But instead, it’s between a guy who cried over Rey Mysterio, and the other who won’t take his shirt off when he’s in the pool. Are you serious? Santos, you’re not in my league, brother. And Kevin, you look like if Reddit was a person. Let’s be honest with ourselves, boys. You’re both battling to see who’s gonna get pinned by the greatest and most relevant US Champion of all time. So please, boys, enjoy this temporary clout, because that is the only thing you’ll be getting from me.” Logan blows them a kiss, but the finals happen at New Year’s Revolution. Who wins out so they can shut Logan up?

BREAKING NEWS for New Year’s Revolution!

Since she got the pin in the win for Holiday Havoc on the WWE Women’s Champion, Mia Yim gets her title shot against Iyo Sky! Will Michin look to take control away from DMG CTRL?

AJ Styles VS Solo Sikoa!

With the Triple Threat #1 Contender’s match in two weeks, tonight is all about the Phenomenal One proving he is still phenomenal, and there is no stopping him from having his revenge. Will Styles bring down the Enforcer of the Island as a message to The Tribal Chief? Or will Solo make sure Styles can’t even make it to New Year’s Revolution?

The bell rings and the two circle. Styles eggs Solo on, Solo swings but Styles dodges to CHOP and CHOP and fire haymakers! Solo swings, misses, Styles fires off more shots! Solo shoves Styles but Styles BOOTS and ROCKS Solo, then CHOPS him! Styles whips but Solo blocks. Solo whips Styles to a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Styles runs up to fire off more shots! Styles CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, then runs. But Solo ELBOWS Styles down! Solo storms up on Styles in a corner, stands him up and scoops, to then SLAM him down! Solo eggs Styles on now, but fans boo. Solo drags Styles up, scoops, but Styles slips free.

Styles dropkicks the legs out, then KICKS Solo down! Solo sits up, into a KNEE from Styles! Fans fire up and Styles looms over Solo. Styles drags Solo up, ENZIGURIS, and Solo tumbles out of the ring! Styles then goes to the apron to SLIDING KNEE! Solo is down and Styles is all fired up! Styles then slingshots to FLYING FOREARM! Down goes Solo again and the fans fire up as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Solo back drops Styles! Styles flounders after that hard landing and goes to a corner. Solo storms up on Styles, drags him up, and Solo whips Styles hard into the corner, sending him tumbling into the post! Solo then goes out to fire off hands on Styles as he dangles out of the ring! The rf counts, Solo HEADBUTTS away on Styles, then lets Styles fall to the floor. Fans boo, the ring count climbs, and passes 5 of 10. Solo puts Styles in at 7, runs and FALLING HEADBUTTS! Cover, ONE!! Styles still has grit but Solo stalks him. Styles drags himself up and he CHOPS! CHOPS! And whips! Solo reverses, Styles hits buckles hard!

Solo watches Styles stagger around, then Styles sits back down. Solo goes to the far corner, runs in and HIP ATTACKS! Fans boo but Solo watches Styles writhe. Solo drags Styles to a drop zone, then he goes up the corner. Fans boo but Solo DIVING HEADBUTTS, and FLOPS as Styles moves! Styles grits his teeth as he rises back up. Solo goes to a corner, Styles runs up and in to clothesline! Snapmare, SLIDING FOREARM! Styles fires up and the fans are with him! LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Styles grits his teeth, more sore than frustrated. Styles drags Solo up, fires the Phenomenal Blitz, but Solo ducks the lariat to then shove and POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up as Styles hangs in there. Solo grows frustrated but he drags Styles back up. Solo fireman’s carries, but Styles slips free! Styles ducks the lariat to PELE! Both men are down and the fans fire back up. Solo stands, Styles runs up but Solo puts him on the apron. Styles ROCKS Solo, then he springboards, but Solo catches him! SAMOAN- NO, Styles rolls Solo up! TWO, and another PELE staggers Solo! Styles reels Solo in, calls for it, STYLES- NO, Solo is too big for The Clash! Solo stands up and has the Alabama Lift, but Styles grabs ropes! Styles makes it to the apron, ROCKS Solo again, and springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! But Solo flops out of the ring!!

Fans boo but then ROMAN REIGNS CLOBBERS STYLES!

Winner: AJ Styles, by disqualification

Fans boo as The Tribal Chief attacks Styles! This gives Styles the win tonight, but he’d rather have that than Solo be beaten clean. Roman tells fans to shush, then he fireman’s carries Styles. Styles fights free of that to PELE Roman down!! The fans fire up while Roman sits up in a daze! Roman goes to ropes, Solo returns and he attacks Styles! Solo rains down fists, Roman stands up and adds stomps. But here comes Orton! The Viper hurries down to the ring, and he kicks Solo, fires hands on Roman, but that’s 2v1! Orton still fights them both off with haymakers, so here comes Jimmy! Jimmy fires fists off on Orton!

Fans boo as Jimmy stomps away, but here comes LA KNIGHT! The Mega Star slides in, he CLOBBERS Jimmy, fires off on Solo, then on Roman! Fans fire up as Knight JABS and JABS and JABS! Then feed to Orton, he throws Jimmy out and Knight does the same to Solo! Roman bails out, he and The Bloodline regroup. Styles says he told them both he doesn’t want their help. Orton and Knight argue back that he kinda needed their help. But then Styles ROCKS Knight, CHOPS Orton, so Knight CLOBBERS Styles! Orton pulls Knight off Styles, so Knight shoves Orton! And now they throw hands! The fans fire up, Roman lets his challengers fight it out!

Styles CLUBS Knight, throws more hands, but then Knight turns things around on Styles! Orton gets back in the mix and UPPERCUTS Knight! In the end, this is working out in Roman’s favor! Will the Tribal Chief make easy pickings of whoever survives New Year’s Revolution?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown as their own go-home to the holidays and New Year’s Revolution. Great opening promo with Styles, Orton and Knight to establish the Triple Threat #1 Contender’s match, and really good stuff with Bloodline and Aldis. Aldis is definitely going to be that Face authority figure that stands in opposition to Roman, which is great stuff. Great main event match of Styles VS Solo but should’ve figured someone would disqualify that one. Great brawl, though, that then turned into the contenders brawling with each other. Orton VS Knight VS Styles is going to be great stuff, but I would think Orton wins with the Triple Threat keeping Styles and Knight strong in the loss.

Another big detail of the story is that Styles is at odds with The OC now. Or at least, he and Anderson are tense. Not sure what’s going to come of that but it’d be a shame if The OC had to continue on without Styles when factions are forming all over SmackDown. Kross’ promo suggests he’s got sidekicks now, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be the return of The Authors of Pain. In fact, that information is probably out there on other sources right now. Which is great for AOP, they really should’ve been doing things all along. And also, Garza & Carrillo are back on SmackDown and teaming with Escobar, just as I anticipated.

Garza & Carrillo helping Santos win was a logical way around Santos having to beat Lashley, and in essence carries over the feud Lashley & The Profits were having with The LWO over to this new take on Legado Del Fantasma. We also got great stuff out of Kevin VS Melo, but I figured Kevin was gonna win this with Melo having more to do in NXT first. Only Logan Paul would need three promos in one night, but he’s just riling Kevin up to win the whole thing. Kevin VS Logan will be great stuff for the Royal Rumble, but I don’t think Logan’s losing that title just yet. But it is fitting that Logan has his titanium reinforced hand and Kevin has his special cast. It’ll be loaded right hand VS loaded right hand, first to get a clean shot in wins.

Great North American title match from Dragon VS Dunne, but the crowd sure was sleepy in the first half. It probably stems from how this episode was recorded right after last week’s episode, so they really were a tired crowd for once. But Dragon retaining makes sense, he’s got to carry this belt in NXT, too. And Dunne brawling with Pretty Deadly, I hope the New Year’s Revolution tag match is the call-up for Tyler Bate. If Bate isn’t gonna be a champion in NXT again, he and Dunne should reform British Strong Style and not just beat Pretty Deadly but get in on the tag title chase. Bate & Dunne VS Finn & Priest would be some great stuff.

And a great opening match with the Holiday Havoc 8 Woman Tag. It was just the right amount of wild action, and we got a surprise visit from the Wicked Witches of SmackDown! Fyre & Dawn have been waiting on a chance at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, they aren’t gonna let Asuka & Kairi jump the line, so that’ll be a great match to determine contenders on SmackDown’s end. And Mia getting the pin on Iyo, she gets her title match, but I am pretty sure Iyo retains. With Charlotte Flair out with injury and Bianca already having had her shot, this might be a nice holdover on the way to the Rumble, where Iyo doesn’t even necessarily need to defend the title, she can help the others go for their own titles per the DMG CTRL mission statement last week.

My Score: 8.8/10