Who will bring gold home for Christmas?

It’s the SmackDown Before Christmas, and Solo Sikoa sends his MFT after the Wyatt 6’s WWE Tag Team Championships!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• The Kabuki Warriors VS Nia Jax & Lash Legend; Nia & Lash win.
• Giulia w/ Kiana James VS Alba Fyre w/ Chelsea Green; Giulia wins.
• Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes VS #DIY; Ilja & Melo win.
• WWE Tag Team Championships: The Wyatt Sick6 VS MFT; No Contest, The Wyatts retain the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

Damian Priest is here!

Hershey, Pennsylvania fires up as The Archer of Infamy makes his way to the ring. Priest grabs a mic, and he tells Hershey, “It’s nice to hear that energy, because I know the last few days weren’t easy. Saturday Night’s Main Event, we were forced to say goodbye to the career of John Cena.” The fans boo, and Priest says, “I can’t tell you how much I agree with that emotion, I really do. But I think I can speak for all of us when I say to someone who inspired so many, when I say to the man without a shadow of a doubt he IS the Greatest Of All Time, we say, ‘Thank you, Cena.'” The fans chant, “Thank You, Cena!” and Priest nods.

Priest continues by saying he feels that, and he thanks the fans for that. Now, let’s talk about some good times! Good times like last Friday Night SmackDown, when Zelina & Aleister got their asses dropped by the Terror Twins! The fans cheer that! Priest says that business has been handled, and now we look to 2026. In 2026- Zelina interrupts with sinister laughter. “Oh, Damian. You are such a hypocrite. You really think that getting your Mami to fight your battles for you makes you a real man? Newsflash, you didn’t even get the pin! And you call that salvation? You just can’t stand the fact that Aleister broke you.”

The fans boo, but Zelina says Priest made his decision. Now he has to live with theirs. Or more importantly, HIS! Because Aleister is here! And attacks from behind! The fans boo as Aleister fires elbows, but Priest fires back! The fans cheer as Priest HAMMERS away in the corner! Priest ROCKS Aleister, throws off his jacket, then kicks low! Priest reels Aleister in, but Aleister wrenches out and ELBOWS Priest! Then KNEES him outta the ring! Aleister then leaps from the apron, but into the guzel! APRON CHOKE SLAM! Priest then looks at the steel steps, and Zelina says don’t do it! Priest instead looks under the ring, and brings out a TABLE!

Hershey fires up as Priest sets this table up nearby, and Zelina panics! But Aleister has a chair! He JAMS Priest, then SMACKS him on the back! Priest guzels Aleister again! But Aleister POSTS Priest first! And ROUNDHOUSES! Priest ends up on the table, but he rises up to guzel again! Aleister BACK ELBOWS free! Aleister goes up, runs, and METEORA down through the table! Aleister clutches his leg, perhaps a double-edged attack, but the damage has been done! Did The Dark Father & La Muneca just ruin this holiday season for Priest?

Backstage interview with Nia Jax & Lash Legend.

Byron Saxton is with the Irresistible Force & Bougie Bully as they wear very seasonal attire. Byron starts with Lash by giving her her flowers on that upset victory over Alexa Bliss. Nia stops Byron there, and asks what he means by upset. Lash clearly beat Alexa handedly! Lash says no matter how great “Lil’ Lexi” is, she never stood a chance against her. Because Lash was whooping her little tail up and down that ring like the Bougie Bully does. And now that they’re done with #Charlexa, Nia & Lash are moving on. Nia says once they annihilate the Kabuki Warriors, they’ll slide into that Women’s Tag Team Championship match to become the NEW champions!

Byron wants to point out that it is Rhea and Iyo that have the next opportunity, so- Nia mocks Byron by repeating him, and says it doesn’t matter who suddenly becomes best friends, those titles belong to Nia & Lash! Forget #RheYo, the Kabukis and Charlexa, this is about the Irresistible Force & Bougie Bully now. They snap snap and head out, but will they make tonight a wrap? Or will they not be ready for Asuka & Kairi?

Damian Priest is helped backstage.

Priest clutches the back of his head and neck while producers help him to the medical trainer’s room. But then ALEISTER ATTACKS AGAIN! He THROWS Priest into road cases, then into spare railing! And then he swings a snow shovel around! Aleister SMACKS Priest in the back! Priest falls, coughs and sputters, and Zelina says it is time to end this! Aleister stands Priest back up, and BLACK MASS!! Priest slumps against the garage door in a daze, and producers call for the medic! Now has The Dark Father ended things with Priest?

The Kabuki Warriors VS Nia Jax & Lash Legend!

SmackDown returns and Lash makes her entrance, followed by Nia’s. The teams sort out, Lash starts against Kairi, and the fans rally up. The Bougie Bully chuckles seeing the tiny Pirate Princess, and they tie up. Lash THROWS Kairi aside, but Kairi is right up. They reset, circle again, and Kairi slips around to waistlock. Lash spins around but she can’t shake Kairi off! Kairi jumps on for a SLEEPER! Lash RAMS Kairi into buckles, is free of the hold, then runs up. But Kairi dodges the boot, CHOPS Lash, then bumps her off buckles! Kairi goes up, SMACKS Lash, then takes aim! The fans fire up for the CROSSBODY, but Lash catches Kairi!

Lash wags her finger pops Kairi around, but Kairi sunset flips! Lash waves her arms, stays up, and she YANKS Kairi right up! Lash whips, Kairi goes up and RANAS! The fans fire up while Lash tumbles! Kairi runs the ropes, but Lash UPPERCUTS her down! Lash scowls at Asuka, drags Kairi away, and she tags Nia. Asuka is worried but Lash whips Kairi into the corner for Nia to SPLASH! Lash adds a SPLASH, then she snapmares for Nia’s cover. TWO, but Nia drags Kairi around to then run and ELBOW FLOP! Hot tag to Asuka! The fans fire up as Asuka & Kairi get Nia up to double whip, only for her to block! Nia double whips, but they both dodge lariats!

The Kabuki Warriors mule kick, AX KICK, then DOUBLE KICK! Nia is down, Asuka covers, TWO! Nia snarls as she rises up, but Asuka KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS again! Nia blocks a kick to get under Asuka! Asuka fights free of the bomb, ROUNDHOUSES, then runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Nia shakes out the stars, then runs up in the corner. Asuka BOOTS Nia, then hits a CODE BREAKER! Tag to Kairi, and the Kabuki Warriors DOUBLE SHOTGUN Nia outta the ring! Lash runs up, but they DUMP her out! Lash is on the apron, Asuka ROCKS her, then HIP ATTACKS! Lash falls, Nia is there, and Kairi goes up! SUPER DUPER ELBOW DROP!

The fans are all fired up for the Kabuki Warriors, and the Kabuki Warriors are also fired up, as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Nia steps on Kairi in the corner! The ref counts, Nia stops at 4, and the fans boo. Nia drags Kairi up, tags Lash, and Lash brings Kairi up for forearms! The fans rally for Kairi, Kairi fires body shots, but Lash CLUBS her down! Lash drags Kairi around into a chinlock and she squeezes tight! Kairi endures, the fans rally, and Kairi fires more body shots. Lash THROWS Kairi down! Lash tags Nia in, then holds Kairi in place while Nia sucker punches Asuka! The fans boo Nia but she goes to Kairi. Nia & Lash DOUBLE SUPLEX and hold Kairi up! But Kairi flails to DOUBLE DDT! The fans fire up while all three are down!

Kairi crawls, reaches out, and hot tag to Asuka! Asuka goes up, up, and DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS! Lash tumbles, Nia stumbles, and Asuka runs up to ELBOW Nia! Then she sends Lash into Nia! Lash staggers into a ROUNDHOUSE! ROUNDHOUSE for Nia! Asuka runs, Nia fireman’s carries, but Asuka fights free! URAKEN! SOBAT! FROTN KICK! HAYMAKER! And SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Asuka hits the FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Nia endures, stacks Asuka up, and deadlifts her for a POWER- NO, Asuka sunset flips! Nia stays up, slaps free, but Asuka avoids the hip drop! SLIDING KICK! Cover, Lash breaks it!

Kairi URAKENS Lash! Kick, ENZIGIRI, and then Kairi runs to wheelbarrow and… NO, Lash throws her away to then DECK Kairi! But Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Lash down! Nia runs up, but Asuka dodges to POST Nia! Asuka fires up and so do the fans! Asuka goes up the corner, but Lash SLAPS her! Kairi YANKS Lash down, but Nia ROCKS Asuka now! Nia goes up, fireman’s carries, but Asuka sunset flips through! Kairi tags in, and she KICKS Nia into the POWERBOMB! But Lash YANKS Asuka out! And THROWS her into the steps! Kairi FLYING KABUKI ELBOWS Nia down! Kairi hurries up the corner while the fans cheer!

Kairi aims at Nia, but Nia is up! KABUKI- NO, Nia blocks the elbow to guzel and CHOKE SLAM! Then she drags Kairi into the drop zone to go up the corner! A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, Nia & Lash win!

Winners: Nia Jax & Lash Legend, by pinfall

They said they would and they just did, they A-NIA-LATED the champs! But here comes #Charlexa! The fans fire up as The Queen & Lil’ Miss Bliss rush the ring! BOOT for Nia! KICK and forearms for Lash! Charlotte POSTS Nia, then helps Alexa, BOOT to Lash! SLAP! ROCK! KNEE! DROPKICK! The Bliss combo hits, and Charlotte gives Alexa a boost to DROPKICK Nia! Lash staggers around, but into a BOOT from Charlotte! Lash is in the drop zone, but Nia drags her to safety! The bullies run away, but will they have to settle things 2v2 with Charlexa? And what of the tag title situation? Will there be more than just one team of contenders now?

Backstage interview with Giulia & Kiana James.

But before Jackie Redmond can get started, Miss Management stops her, introduces herself, and says, “I don’t know who you think you are, but over here on SmackDown, if you want to address my client, you have to go through me first.” Jackie apologizes, she is normally on Raw. Can she please speak with Giulia? She may, just don’t make this mistake again. Okay, welcome her guest, the former Women’s US Champion! Jackie knows Giulia has made it aggressively clear she wants that title back from Chelsea Green, but Chelsea is making that difficult, making her go through Alba Fyre first.

Giulia says Chelsea likes to run and hide with that Women’s US Title, but that’s okay. Giulia will gladly take out Alba Fyre. But Chelsea, time is running out. Arrivederci, mata na. Kiana accompanies Giulia out, will Fyre be extinguished and unable to protect the Hot Mess from the Beautiful Madness?

WWE shares footage from the altercation earlier this week.

Nick Aldis, accompanied by local authorities, visited Drew McIntyre at his home in Florida. Aldis regrets needing to document this meeting, but it has unfortunately come to this. There is no way of knowing what Drew will misrepresent if they don’t. Drew sits with Aldis, Aldis thanks Drew for inviting him into his home, even though this could’ve been done at WWE HQ. But out of respect and in the interest of good faith, Aldis is here. Aldis says given what Drew pulled in DC, he’s questioning why he even bothered. But Cody wants him reinstated, as they all do, as Drew is a top talent, and an integral part of SmackDown.

So here is Aldis’ proposal, and he’s sure Drew will like the terms: Drew gets a 1v1 match with Cody Rhodes, for the Undisputed WWE Championship; and secondly, to show both the WWE officials and the fans that Drew is repentant, we need a public apology to referee Dan Angler for that heinous attack. The man is fortunate to not be in intensive care. There is also a hefty fine, but Aldis is sure Drew’s Survivor Series payday should just about cover it. So those are the terms, take it or leave it. Drew says he gets the title match. Yes. The thing he wants more than anything… Then Drew has no choice… NO. Absolutely not!

Because this is what Cody wants! This is what Aldis wants! They’ve created an unsafe working environment! If Drew accepts the terms, he’ll just get screwed again, so no, he does not accept them. Okay, instead of another monologue about all the ways Drew’s been screwed, he should just say what he wants. Drew says what he wants is for this to be fair. If Drew comes back, he gets the little match, as deserved. He knows WWE wants to protect their golden boy, but Drew wants to pick the stipulation. Aldis can do that.

Then last but by no mean’s least, go back to Stamford, Connecticut, get the lawyers, and draw up documents that say: Cody Rhodes cannot lay one finger on Drew before that championship match, or he is stripped of the title. Aldis really hates this, but… Fine. Drew has a deal. They shake hands on it, Drew says pleasure doing business with you. Now, let’s get the documents. How long will that all take? Aldis says he has to run this by Cody, then by legal, but maybe by end of day. Fantastic! Drew then gets a notification on his phone, and he can’t believe what he is seeing. His security camera is showing CODY RHODES is here, at Drew’s house!

Drew is furious, he thinks Aldis set him up! Aldis says that is not what happened here! Aldis wants Drew to calm down while he handles it, but Drew says he’ll handle it! Cody is shouting about Aldis can’t negotiate with Drew, he’s an arrogant psychopath! Drew shouts at Cody that he needs to get off his property! Cody gets loose and fires hands with Drew! The police get in there, but then Cody gets loose and TACKLES Drew on the lawn! The brawl keeps going, Cody THROWS a cop into the pond! Drew HEADBUTTS Cody, then TACKLES him onto a nutcracker! Cody and Drew are pulled apart, both men furious! Cody shouts, “MERRY CHRISTMAS, A-HOLE!”

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

Byron is with the SmackDown GM and brings up the “uncomfortable” footage, what does he make of how personal things have gotten? Aldis says it has gotten out of hand. There are legal letters, he’s had to hire extra security, even Ava Raine is mad because her champion, Oba Femi, had his moment ruined. And on top of that, SmackDown is still without one of its biggest stars. And yes, Drew, Aldis said it. There’s no love lost here, but he tells it like it is, and the same goes for Cody. What Cody did was completely out of line. But this is all out of Aldis’ hands, that was not at a live WWE event, it is up to local authorities to handle it.

But Aldis does plan on meeting with Cody to talk this out, and Drew has had more comments- The Miz steps in. He asks why everyone was shocked at Saturday Night’s Main Event. It is because “He Who Shall Not Be Named” RUINED it! And Miz wants a match with him! Him? Carmelo Hayes? No! Not- Well, maybe. But no, we know who he means. Yes, we know Miz means Joe He- DON’T! Do NOT say his name! You crazy? But yes, that guy, next week, on SmackDown. Aldis says that is a great idea. He’ll call Ava, and maybe she’ll see to it. But Miz could always just say his name. Miz scoffs, but then turns around to see R-Truth.

And R-Truth does the turn and, “I believe in Joe Pesci!” Miz can’t even, and he heads out. Truth says Miz is just jelly that Truth saw Aldis’ British balls. Aldis sighs and shakes his head. But will Miz get a match with the Prestigious One? Will Miz be made into a believer?

Giulia w/ Kiana James VS Alba Fyre w/ Chelsea Green!

The former Women’s US Champion wants to get her hands on the Hot Mess, but she must make it through security first. Will Alba deny Giulia the “clearance” to face the champ? Or will even she succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

SmackDown returns and Chelsea makes her entrance to accompany Alba. The bell rings and Giulia TACKLES Alba! Giulia HAMMERS Alba, Alba gets free, but Giulia DROPKICKS her down! The fans fire up with Giulia while she glares at Chelsea. Giulia storms up on Alba, kicks low, then CLUBS her down. Giulia puts Alba in a corner, stomps her, then HEADBUTTS! Chelsea protests, Giulia glares at her, but Alba CHOPS! Giulia SMACKS Alba off buckles! Giulia fires hands, CHOKES Alba, and she SPITS at Chelsea! Giulia runs corner to corner and KNEES Alba in the ropes! The fans rally as Giulia snap suplexes! Cover, TWO!

Alba toughs it out, but Giulia looms over Alba. Giulia ties up Alba’s legs, gets the arms, but Chelsea protests. Giulia storms up on Chelsea, but Alba spins her! Alba ROCKS Giulia, ROCKS her and CLUBS her, then fires up! The fans rally as Alba TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO! Giulia survives, Kiana coaches her up, and Giulia pulls Alba’s hair! Alba pulls hair, but Giulia THROWS Alba by her hair! Giulia then puts Alba in a corner, and THROWS her the other way! Alba flounders, Giulia runs up, but Alba dodges! Alba swings, Giulia ducks it, and she has the COBRA TWIST! Giulia stretches Alba, HAMMERS elbows into her side, then rolls her up, ONE!!

Alba and Giulia roll and roll and roll, GROUND COBRA! TWO and Alba is dizzy! The fans rally as Giulia stomps Alba down. Giulia drags Alba up, wrenches, then half nelsons for the scoop. Alba slips free, shoves Giulia, and SUPERKICKS! Giulia falls, Alba covers, TWO! Alba is frustrated but she hooks Giulia up. Giulia flips that to backslide, TWO! ARRIVEDERCI!! Then the NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, Giulia wins!

Winner: Giulia, by pinfall

Chelsea has a meltdown, saying it doesn’t matter, Giulia isn’t getting the Women’s US title from her! But then Giulia scares Chelsea into falling right on her butt! Is there nowhere to run and nowhere to hide with Giulia hunting Chelsea down?

The Wyatts have a message.

Uncle Howdy says, “Listen closely, Solo. Your greed for status and power have led you down a dark path. The truth lies beneath the surface. And this image you portray is going to catapult your family into a whole new world! A world filled with adversity and abandonment. There will be nowhere for you to run! Solo, tonight, you begin your journey. A journey that will force you and your family to surrender.” Howdy laughs maniacally, will his family tear down the MFT here tonight?

Cody Rhodes is here!

Hershey fires up for The American Nightmare, and they sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” The pyro goes off, Cody feels fired up, and we get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro before he steps into the ring. Fans cheer Cody  while he gets a mic to say, “Hershey, PA…! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “Did I go to Drew McIntyre’s home? Did a member of law enforcement get thrown into the water? Did things get physical? Yes. But, Drew McIntyre has stated that WWE currently is an unsafe working environment.” The fans boo, but Cody says that’s right, the WWE Universe collectively is an “unsafe working environment.”

The fans boo more, but Cody says Drew was surrounded by MMA stars, second generation wrestlers, NIL college and pro-athletes. What is a safe environment for him? A Staples? That little yard brawl was one TENTH of what should happen right here, right now, inside this very ring! But then Aldis walks out and says Cody does not appreciate the situation he has gotten himself into, that he’s gotten ALdis into, and the company. Drew is caliming unsafe work einvornemnt. And we know that is crap, but the problem is, Cody showed up at Drew’s house and stared a brawl, making Drew’s point for him.

And to make it worse, Aldis had to make a bad deal because Cody made Aldis look like a liar. Aldis is telling Cody this as a friend: yes, Cody is the champ, #QB1, but he is not above the law. Aldis can’t help with that one. Cody should’ve trutsed Aldis to get this over the finish line, but he didn’t. So now, when Drew comes back, if he pays the fine and makes the apology to Dan Angler, then… Cody can’t lay a finger on Drew until the title match. Or what? Or Aldis has to strip Cody of the WWE Championship! Cody has to give into those demands? Okay, Cody guarantees he will NOT touch Drew McIntyre.

But in the spirit of all these demands, Cody would like to ask Aldis something. Cody feels Aldis has forgotten who he’s talking to. Ask their mutual freind, Wade Barrett. Ask the cameramen. Say his name, because you know, Cody is the one who sent the tweet that changed the game! Cody is the one who cdame back to win th eRoyal Rumble not once but twice. Cody is the reigning King of the Ring! He unseated the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, and he defeated the Greatest Of All Time to be the champion! He IS Q B 1!! And here you are, saying Cody’s not above the law? As long as Cody has this title, he IS the law!

The fans cheer as Cody tells his friend, whether it is Aldis’ demands or Drew’s, remember that while Cody holds this title, he doesn’t work for Aldis, he works for the PEOPLE! The fans cheer that! Cody then tells Aldis, “You work for me.” Cody storms out of the ring, will the American Nightmare be the one to finally end things with the Scottish Terminator?

Ilja Dragunov talks with Carmelo Hayes backstage.

The Mad Russian Dragon admits, he’s not the type to settle things for others. He’s the US Champion, it is others who go after him. But after last week, Ilja wants to say thanks. Melo says don’t even mention it. Ciampa screwed Melo, Melo had to get even for that. The issues with Gargano is just collateral. And all this jumping from behind stuff, Melo don’t play that. Ilja says anymore. But tonight, they will fight DIY in that ring. And tonight, they will put DIY down! Melo nods, but then in steps Fraxiom. They wish Melo & Ilja good luck tonight. But do them a favor and save something for them.

Yeah, they’d go after DIY themselves, but apparently Ilja & Melo jumped the queue. Axiom calms Frazer down and says the bottom line is, DIY stole Axiom’s mask, time to pay for it! Melo says they’re talking to the wrong two. They have their own score to settle, and they don’t miss. Well, then in case you do… Fraxiom will be there. Ilja wants everyone to understand, DIY asked for this battle. And in they ask for a battle, they will get a battle. Especially after last week, Ciampa made Ilja bleed, so he isn’t just a jackass anymore. Now Ciampa is Ilja’s prey! Melo likes that. Melo & Ilja head out, and was Tama Tonga lurking in the background?

Tensions are running high, something’s gotta give, but who will break under this intense pressure?

Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes VS #DIY!

SmackDown returns as Ilja makes his entrance, followed by Melo’s. The teams sort out and DIY just attack! But Ilja & Melo both dodge to both JUMP KICK! They fire off on DIY with CHOPS and stomps and repeat! Melo TOSSES Gargano, Ilja SMACKS Ciampa off buckles, then Ilja sends H1M in for a FOREARM SMASH on Ciampa! Ilja runs up to KNEE Ciampa, then he goes side to side to BOOT WASH! The fans fire up as Ciampa dangles out of the ring, and Ilja drags him back in. Ilja bumps Ciampa off buckles, then CHOPS! Ilja brings Ciampa around, CHOPS him down, then paces. Ciampa goes for a leg but Ilja smothers him with a facelock.

Ilja drags Ciampa over, tags Melo, and they mug Ciampa. Melo fires hands, then whips Ciampa to ropes. Melo CLOBBERS Ciampa, then runs to drop the leg, brother! Cover, ONE, but Melo keeps Ciampa from Gargano. Tag to Ilja, they mug Ciampa more, and Ilja brings Ciampa up to pump handle and EXPLODER! Ilja roars, the fans cheer, and Ilja goes to the corner. Ilja climbs up, but Candice LeRae distracts! Gargano YANKS Ilja down to the apron! Ciampa KNEES Ilja off the apron and Ilja hits the desk! The fans boo and Melo protests, but the ref keeps him back. DIY taunt Ilja while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Ciampa tags Gargano, Gargano ROCKS Ilja, then SMACKS him off the apron. Gargano pushes Ilja into the ring, storms up on him, and snapmares him for the basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Gargano stomps Ilja, but he hears the fans taunting him and Ciampa. Gargano tells them to shut up, and he SMACKS Ilja off buckles. Tag to Ciampa, DIY mugs Ilja with stomps, but the ref counts. DIY stomps at 4, but Ciampa digs his boots in. The ref reprimands and counts, Ciampa stops at 4 and argues with the ref. Gargano CLAWS Ilja’s face in the distraction! Melo protests, but Ciampa scoops Ilja to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Ciampa argues with the ref, drags Ilja around, then stomps him! Ciampa puts Ilja in the corner, but Ilja takes swings! Ilja kicks low, CHOPS Ciampa, CHOPS again, but Ciampa kicks Ilja’s leg! Ilja falls, Ciampa rains down fists, and Ciampa stops to take a sarcastic bow. Ciampa tags Gargano, SMACKS Ilja off Gargano’s boots, then Gargano RAMS Ilja into the corner! Ilja CLUBS Gargano, Gargano RAMS Ilja, repeat! Gargano then backs off to taunt Melo. Gargano takes a free throw, but this distraction lets Ciampa mug Ilja! The ref misses it, Gargano tags Ciampa, and they mug Ilja again. The ref does see that but Ciampa snapmares Ilja into a chinlock.

Ciampa flexes while he squeezes Ilja with one arm. Ilja rises up, but Ciampa THROWS him down! Ciampa taunts the fans, taunts Melo, then CLUBS Ilja! Melo avoids the cheap shot, but Ciampa CHOPS Ilja again! And ROCKS him! Ilja fires back as SmackDown returns to single picture. The shots go back and forth, the fans cheering Ilja and booing Ciampa. The CHOPS go back and forth, then Ilja gets the edge with forearms! Ciampa BOOTS Ilja, Ilja springs up to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up, Ciampa tags Gargano! Gargano hurries to waistlock Ilja, but Ilja fires elbows! Gargano shoves Ilija, but Ilja hits the CONSTANTINE SPECIAL!

The fans fire up while both men are down, Ilja crawls, hot tag to H1M! Melo rallies on DIY, fires off on Gargano, then CHOPS! Melo whips, Gargano reverses, but Melo hits the FADE AWAY JUMPER! Then he runs to LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO! Gargano survives but Melo tags Ilja! Melo FLIES onto Ciampa! Ilja is up top now, and he SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives again but Ilja clamps on with a waistlock. Ilja drags Gargano up, Gargano fights the lift and fires elbows! Ilja staggers back, Melo tags in! NOTHING- Well, in fact, Melo gets nothing as Gargano moves! Melo rolls through to SUPERKICK, but Ciampa blocks!

Gargano runs up, SUPERKICK on Melo! Tag to Ciampa, Ciampa brings Melo around to lift and PROJECT CIAMPA!! Cover, ILJA BREAKS IT!! The fans fire up, Gargano is after Ilja, and Gargano TOSSES Ilja out! But Ilja drags Gargano out! Ilja whips, Gargano reverses and Gargano POSTS Ilja! Ciampa brings his kneepad down, but Melo SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up and Melo aims again. Melo goes to the ropes, Ciampa distracts the ref, and Candice trips H1M up! The fans boo, but the PSYCHO KNEE hits the mark! Cover, TWO?!?! Melo survives and shocks Ciampa! Tag to Gargano, CHASING THE FAIRYTALE ENDING!! Cover, TWO!?!?

The fans fire up as Melo survives again! Gargano tags Ciampa, DIY aims from the corners! MEET IN THE- TORPEDO MOSCOW for Gargano! FIRST 48 for Ciampa! Tag to Ilja, and H-BOMB FOREARM for Ciampa!! Tag back to Melo, he goes up, NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, Ilja & Melo win!

Winners: Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall

DIY tried to cheat another one away, but they couldn’t pull it off! Ilja & Melo give each other props on the win, but will they run it back for that US title? Or will someone else jump the line and get their shot?

Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss.

Jackie Redmond finds #Charlexa and asks why they attacked Nia & Lash. What message are they sending? Alexa says the message is, if you look too far into the future, you miss what is stnaidng right in front of you. Rhea & Iyo get their title shot on January 5th, and clearly Nia & Lash think they’re next in line. But they’re not, they’re just in Charlexa’s way. So whoever wins the titles, they’ll be waiting. But then in steps Jade Cargill. The WWE Women’s Champion smirks, Charlexa leaves, and Jackie says while she’s here, is there something Jade would like to say about brawling with Mia Yim last week on SmackDown?

Jade says it is the season for giving, so she’ll say something nice: She was shocked to see Michin get back up after Jade knocked her down. Now, Mia and the rest of the division will take these L’s. Jade’s about charity, so she’ll share the spotlight. And then she’ll knock Mia’s lights out. Now, we done? Yeah. Jackie leaves, but MICHIN runs in! And she SMACKS Jade with the kendo stick! Mia says Jade forgot, time to remind her! Officials stop Mia, B-Fab is also here, and Jade is hurting but also pissed. Will The Storm be even colder now that the Head Baddie In Charge has called her out?

Solo Sikoa walks ‘n’ talks.

“Howdy, you talk a whole lotta nonsense about absolutely nothing. But when you threaten my family, that’s where we got a problem. You think this is a game, huh? When it comes to my family, I don’t play no damn games. You understand me? We are going to humiliate you, embarrass you, in front of the whole wide world. Wait, you hear that/ Can you hear that? The fireflies are here.” Solo has arrived at gorilla where MFT stands ready with the war paint. “And they are going to watch us take those tag team titles. Because whether they like it or not, I’ve got the whole world in my hands.”

The fans boo as Solo mocks the legacy of Bray Wyatt, but will there be no stopping MFT from running WWE? Or will the Wyatts make sure they follow the buzzards?

WWE Tag Team Championships: The Wyatt Sick6 VS MFT!

SmackDown returns and the lights go down as The Wyatts now make their entrance. The fireflies come out, the Wyatts walk through the eerie light, and both lantern and rocking chair await. Uncle Howdy leads the way to the ring, and he laughs as the lights come up. Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis step in, the belts are raised, and we see who steps out, golden for the holidays!

The teams sort out and Lumis starts against Tonga Loa. They circle, feel things out, then tie up. Lumis waistlocks, headlocks, and grinds the hold. Loa powers up and out, Lumis ducks ‘n’ dodges, then he slides under the boot. Lumis kicks low, UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCDUTS! Loa wobbles, Lumis creeps around, and Loa backs off. Loa runs up, but Lumis dodges to then hit a BIG back suplex! Kip up and LEG DROP! The fans cheer, Lumis covers, ONE!! Loa is tougher than that but Lumis brings him up. Tag to Gacy and they mug Loa while Solo watches from ringside. Gacy wrenches but Loa UPPERCUTS!

Loa powers Gacy to the corner, he SMACKS Gacy off buckles then stomps a mudhole! The ref counts, Loa stops at 4, and the ref tells Loa to listen to him. Loa tags JC Mateo, they stomp away together now, and the ref counts again. JC stops to stalk Gacy, then ROCKS him with a right hand. JC whips, Gacy reverses, and Gacy DROPKICKS! JC staggers, Gacy brings him over and tags Lumis. Whip and atomic drop, then Gacy runs to LARIAT JC down! Lumis SENTONS, covers, TWO! JC bails out, the fans rally, and Lumis tags Gacy. Gacy runs to BLAST Loa! And then he SUPERKICKS JC! Gacy builds speed but JC gets away!

Gacy stops to then slide out of the ring, but Loa LARIATS him down! JC catches Lumis, suplexes, and POSTS him before an OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE on the floor! Solo says look at the Wyatts! Lookin’ stupid! Solo applauds MFT while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Loa & JC soak up the heat from Hershey while they pace around. Solo taunts the fans, Loa drags Lumis up, and Loa puts Lumis in the ring. JC covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! JC clamps on and he smothers Lumis into the mat! JC CLUBS Lumis down, then drags him up. JC bumps Lumis off buckles, tags Loa, and they mug Lumis again. Loa throws hands, then CHOPS! Lumis sputters, Loa UPPERCUTS, and Loa CHOPS again! Loa UPPERCUTS again, then bumps Lumis off buckles. Loa stomps Lumis down, tags JC, and they DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Lumis falls, JC stomps away, then he drags Lumis up. Lumis fires body shots but JC shoves and ELOBWS! JABS! YUKON LARIAT!

GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Lumis survives but JC clamps on with a chinlock. Lumis endures the squeeze, but JC drags Lumis up to bump off buckles. Tag to Loa, they double whip Lumis to a corner, then LARAIT and BACK ELBOW! Feed to the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Lumis survives again and Loa is furious! Loa stomps Lumis, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Loa HEADBUTTS Lumis down! Loa then LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO! Lumis continues to tough it out, and both sides are very tense. Loa bumps Lumis off buckles, stomps and UPPERCUTS, then he CHOPS again!

Loa UPPERCUTS Lumis, then BODY BLOWS again and again! The fans rally for Lumis, they taunt Solo, but Loa CHOKES Lumis on the rope! The ref counts, Loa backs off, but he comes back to stomp Lumis again. Tag to JC and they mug Lumis. The fans taunt Solo with “O T C! O T C!” Loa & JC double whip Lumis, Lumis ducks Loa but not the POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! JC is frustrated but he drags Lumis up. The fans rally, Loa tags in, and the mugging continues. Loa CLUBS Lumis down, but Nikki Cross hammers the apron to keep the fans going. Loa scoops Lumis, runs, and POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO!

Lumis survives again and Loa is just getting angrier! Loa stands Lumis up, but Lumis SUPERKICKS free! Loa falls, Lumis crawls, JC tags in! JC back suplexes, but Lumis lands out! And SUPERKICKS! Lumis crawls again and the fans fire up, hot tag to Gacy! The fans fire up as Gacy LARIATS JC, RAMS him, then dodges to fire haymakers! The fans fire up, and Gacy hits a BIG suplex! Gacy BLASTS Loa, ROCKS JC, then SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! JC survives and the fans fire up again! Gacy LIONSAULTS but FLOPS as JC moves! ATHLETIC PLEX! Then the cover, TWO!! Gacy survives but JC hurries to whip!

Gacy handsprings! Into the UPSIDE-DOWN!! JC tumbles out, Loa whips Gacy, but he also gets the UPSIDE-DOWN!! The fans fire up as MFT regroups on the outside! Gacy builds speed and he FLIES! Not the cleanest takeoff but he took down JC & Loa! Tag to Lumis and Gacy gets JC up! Lumis reels JC in, time for the PURGE! Lumis goes up, up, and DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, Loa breaks it! Loa then TOSSES Gacy, he argues with the ref, and Talla Tonga BOOTS Gacy down! The fans boo, but here comes Erick Rowan! Big Red CLOBBERS Talla! Solo & Tama go after Erick! Loa joins in, they TOSS Rowan over the desk!

But now Howdy is after Solo! Tama CLOBBERS Loa, Lumis ROCKS Tama, Loa goes after Lumis, the ref just calls it!!

No Contest; The Wyatts retain the titles

These two factions are wreaking havoc in Hershey, and the fans are upset by this ending! But at the same time, what did anyone expect from this? Tama CLOBBERS Howdy, fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Howdy hits Tama back, but Solo DECKS Howdy! Lumis fires hands on Loa, JC CLUBS Lumis, and Tama helps Loa get Lumis and Gacy up. The fans boo but then TALLA climbs!? TALLA CROSSBODY onto EVERYONE!! The fans boo, but now Rowan is up! And he DROPKICKS Talla! Then he LARIATS Talla up and out! The fans fire up, and then Nikki says use her! Erick pops her up, and THROWS her out onto Talla!

But then Solo SAMOAN SPIKES Rowan!! And SAMOAN SPIKES again!! But Howdy clinches Solo!! SISTER- TAMA CLOBBERS HOWDY! The fans boo as Howdy is denied his shot, but this is still a chaotic brawl as SmackDown is going off the air! Will these two teams fight all the way to Christmas?!

My Thoughts:

A very good SmackDown to lead into the holiday season, and this was clearly prerecorded from how it was in Hershey, just like Raw, and how it had the Raw commentary and backstage team. Good stuff with Cody, Drew and Aldis this week. That was perhaps the most cinematic and well-produced “attack at home” segment WWE has ever done. Also those were in fact Evolve talent being used as fake cops, pretty sure I saw Braxton Cole and It’s Gal in there. But then good follow-up promos from Aldis and Cody, and Cody sounded the most Homelander he has since even his AEW days. And oddly, fans cheered that. Do fans want Homelander Cody that badly?

That aside, Cody VS Drew for the fifth or sixth time, I feel like Drew needs to win this time or this has all been for naught. Especially since Drew said he gets to choose the stipulation, and he can surely come up with the most one-sided thing to screw Cody over. Miz and Truth had a great part in this, too, and Miz VS Hendry will be great stuff. We still need better for the Women’s US Championship, as the fans barely cared about Giulia VS Alba. Of course Giulia won, and I’m sure she’ll face Chelsea soon enough. It might even be part of the first three-hour SmackDown in the New Year, where hopefully more time translates to better material.

Good stuff with Priest, Aleister and Zelina, and it is clearly pushing the feud further towards one more No Disqualification style match. Very good promo from Lash & Nia ahead of their match against The Kabuki Warriors. Very good win for Lash & Nia, too, and that certainly establishes their right to a tag title match. Charlexa of course went after them for last week, though, and it sounds like we’ll get Nia & Lash VS Charlotte & Alexa for #1 contenders to the winner of Kabuki Warriors VS Rhea & Iyo, which is disappointing given how I was hoping for that big title match of all the teams.

Good promo from Charlexa after all that, and another good encounter between Charlotte and Jade to tease an eventual title match. Michin getting the drop on Jade is good stuff, too, that’ll be a very good match but I would think Jade retains again. Good promo from Ilja, Melo and Fraxiom, and a great tag match from Ilja & Melo VS DIY. Great win for Ilja & Melo, and I’m sure we’ll get another great DIY VS Fraxiom. And very good main event, but I should’ve known things would end up like that. There definitely needs to be something No DQ here, or maybe just a ringside ban so we can have an actual 2v2. Fans might be more into the former than the latter, so WWE might go with that.

My Score: 8.7/10