Drew McIntyre turns on the last SmackDown of 2025!

The Scottish Terminator has a new chance at the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes, but what stipulation will he choose?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Miracle on 34th Street Fight: The Miz VS Joe Hendry; Hendry wins.
• Charlotte Flair w/ Alexa Bliss VS Lash Legend w/ Nia Jax; Charlotte wins.
• WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Carmelo Hayes; Melo wins and becomes the new WWE United States Champion.
• Chelsea Green & Alba Fyre VS Giulia & Kiana James; Giulia & Kiana win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Cody Rhodes arrives backstage.

And Nick Aldis is there waiting. Cody asks if Drew McIntyre is here yet, and Aldis says no, he’s not, but he’s on his way. So this is a good time to remind Cody that Drew has signed the contract. Once Drew pays the fine and makes the apology, Cody cannot lay a finger on Drew or else he’s stripped of the title. Cody just wants to be told when Drew arrives. Aldis promises to do that, and then turns around to see The Miz. Miz asks where he is, and Aldis asks who. You know how! Oh, right, Joe- NO! Don’t say his name! That imbecile ruined Miz’s moment at Saturday Night’s Main Event AND Miz’s holiday spirit! Miz doesn’t wanna see that guy’s face unless he’s punching it!

Aldis puts on a Santa hat to tell Miz he’s being a Grinch. He’s even wearing bright green! Maybe Miz should be getting ready for his match with Joe He- HEY! Well, speaking of the holiday season, maybe Aldis should give Miz the gift of NOT playing that guy’s music! No one wants to hear that music! Just send the guy out and let him get what’s coming. Aldis says ’tis the season, so okay. No music for Joe Hendry. “SAY HIS NAME AND HE APPEARS!” He’s already in the ring! Santa Hendry has Akira Tozawa, Otis, the Easter bunny, and a few other guests while fans wave their hands side to side. Hendry also has his headset and guitar!

Hendry wishes everyone in Grand Rapids a Merry Christmas. In that holiday spirit, he’s giving the gift of a holiday concert! Hendry plays on his guitar as he begins. “He talks about his balls~, every single day~. I guess that’s why he says~, that he came to play~! I think he’s better off, throwing them away~. Cuz the truth is he can’t get a win without Carmelo Hayes! Oh Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Miz has tiny balls. Every time he’s in a team, he takes all the falls! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Miz has tiny balls~! He’d rather be in Hollywood, but they won’t return his calls!” The fans cheer that!

Hendry continues, “He was playing with his balls~, on John Cena’s last show. Then he got beat up, by R-Truth and Joe~. This song is getting weird, but that something is clear: Why he got kicked out the locker room for half of his career! Oh, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Miz has tiny balls! Every time he’s in a team-” Miz shouts, “NO NO NO NO NO!” Miz says this is NOT the Sing-Along with Joe! Trying to spice things up, are we? Hendry says he knows why Miz is upset. it is because they started the song without him! So now that he’s here, let’s all sing! OH~, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Miz has tiny balls! Every time he’s in a team, he takes all the falls! HEY!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Miz has tiny balls~! He’d rather be in Hollywood, but they won’t return his calls! Miz puts his hand up and shouts, “Do you know what this means?! When my hand goes up, your mouths go shut!” The fans boo that old gag again, and Miz asks Hendry, “You think some cheap jingle’s gonna turn me into the joke? I spent 20 years outlasting people that laughed at me harder than you sing! You’re chasing choruses, I’m chasing a legacy earned with pain, not punchlines! And now that John Cena is GONE… I’ve earned the right to be the locker room leader and take this company to the future! The jokes stop now!”

Miz says everyone needs to get out so he and Hendry can have their match right here and right now. Aldis says whoa, whoa, hold on! One little thing? The match is now a Miracle on 34th Street Fight! WHAT?! Miz is shocked but everyone loves this bonus gift! Will the Hollywood A-Lister figure out how to jingle all the way tonight? Or will we all soon believe in Joe Hendry?

Miracle on 34th Street Fight: The Miz VS Joe Hendry!

SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Hendry and Miz tie up, Hendry headlocks, and then hits a takeover. Miz headscissors, Hendry kips free, and Hendry smiles while the fans cheer. The two reset while the fans cheer Hendry on. Hendry and Miz tie up, but Miz kicks low! Miz CLUBS Hendry, says believe this! Miz runs, Hendry dodges to CLOBBER him! Then Hendry spins Miz around, suplexes, and he holds Miz up! The fans cheer the power of Hendry! Then at TEN, Hendry SLAMS Miz down! Miz tumbles out of the ring but the fans cheer Hendry. Hendry goes out the side, the fans chant, “Miz has Snow Balls!”

Hendry finds a present, opens it up, and it’s a fresh new guitar! Miz freaks out, grabs a box of his own, and brings out… an ukulele! Well, size doesn’t matter, but it does help. Miz tries another box, and he brings out… Tiny balls! Well, ornaments, so context says those are average size, but… Miz kicks Hendry low! And then SMACKS him with the ornaments! Miz whips, Hendry reverses, but Miz stops short! Hendry runs up, Miz full nelsons, but Hendry fight free! Then HIP TOSS into the tree! Miz writhes, but Hendry SMACKS him with the gift box! Hendry moves things aside, looks under the ring, and the fans fire up for the TABLE!

The fans cheer as Hendry slides the table into the ring, then sets it up. The fans cheer Hendry on while the table is in the corner, but Miz rolls Hendry up! TWO, and Miz full nelsons! Hendry arm-drags free, guzels, and ten STANDING- NO, Miz fights free! Miz kicks low, whips Hendry, but Hendry stops himself! Miz runs up, but Hendry DRUMPS him out! The fans cheer, Hendry slides out as Miz slides in, and Hendry parties with Tozawa, Otis and the Easter bunny! Miz throws a fit and throws down the gift ribbons! Miz stomps the ribbons, but Otis tosses him a gift. Miz says who cares! He ELBOW DROPS the box again and again! Miz continues his tantrum while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and both men are down in the ring! The fans rally behind Hendry, as do Otis, Tozawa & the bunny. Hendry and Miz rise, and Hendry fires counter shots! Hendry whips then LARIATS Miz! Hendry pionts to the tree, and Otis brings it to him! The fans cheer as Hendry takes o tanembaum and CLOBBERS Miz! And CLOBBESR him again! Then he scoops Miz to FALL AWAY SLAM! Hendry kips up and gets the tree! Or what’s left of it… And FALL AWAY SLALM ATTACK on Miz! Hendry kips up again, the fans cheer, and Hendry TURNS! The fans cheer again, and they stomp stomp clap.

Hendry waits on Miz, guzels, and then STANDING- NO, Miz slips free again! But Hendry blocks the full nelson and LARIATS Miz up and out! Tozawa shouts, “MERRY CHRISTMAS~!” and holds out a tray of cookies. Miz SLAPS the cookie tray down! The fans boo as Miz then BOOTS Tozawa! Otis and the bunny say that’s it! They storm up on Miz, but Miz has the candy cane kendo stick! SMACK on the bunny, but then Otis grabs the stick and BREAKS IT! Then Hendry SMACKS Miz with a kendo stick! Then YOINK into the tiny snowballs! Hendry puts Miz in the ring, then he has Otis, Tozawa, and the bunny join him!

They bring cookies into the ring, then they surround Miz. Miz apologizes and begs for mercy. Should they show it to him? Grand Rapids says not tonight! Hendry clinches to FALL AWAY SLAM! And kip up! And that serves Miz up for Otis’ CATERPILLAR, then Otis eats up them cookies, before the ELBOW~! Tozawa is up top, Miz gets to have a cookie, and then SUPER SENTON!! Miz spits up cookie! What does the bunny do? It’s R-TRUTH! Oh, now it makes sense. Truth says “HAPPY EASTER!” YOU CAN’T SEE ME! Bunny hop knuckle shuffle! And then a SMASH HIT from Hendry!! Then STANDING OVATION through the table!! Cover, Hendry wins!

Winner: Joe Hendry, by pinfall

Now this makes for a happy holiday! Grand Rapids all wave their hands with him, will all of the WWE soon believe in Joe Hendry?

Carmelo Hayes talks with Fraxiom backstage.

Axiom & Nathan Frazer like how Melo and Ilja dealt with #DIY last week and Melo thanks them. Ilja then walks in and pats them on the shoulders. If Fraxiom would excuse them, Ilja would like to talk with Melo. They oblige, and Ilja tells Melo that what they did last wee against DIY together was chef’s kiss, it was beautiful. But something has been eating Ilja alive. The way their US Championsihp match went down, Ilja cannot live that way. Melo says if it makes Ilja feel any better, it also eats Melo alive that there’s always the “What if” on it. Or perhaps, what should’ve been. Well, Ilja is glad Melo feels that way.

Because consider the Open Challenge closed, because like it or not, it will be Ilja VS Melo for the US Championship! They shake hands on it, and Ilja says Melo’s pain will entertain. Melo promises that he won’t miss. Ilja says Melo better get ready then. The Mad Dragon is giving H1M a fair shot, but will he regret it? Or will Ilja simply clear the blemish off his record?

Drew McIntyre arrives backstage.

And Cathy Kelley catches him first to ask that after coming to an agreement with Nick Aldis, Drew will have his match for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Drew will choose when, where, and under what stipulation. Could he please give us some indication as to what any of that will be? Absolutely! Just not right now. He just flew in from Scotland, he’s a bit jetlagged, he’s gonna have himself a bit of a lie down. But he promises, before the end of the night, he’ll give everyone all the answers to all the questions. For now, night-night. Drew goes to take his nap, but will Cody be the one to sound the alarm?

Aleister Black speaks.

“Once upon a time, there was a man. A very talented man. A man so talented, that he reached things far beyond his wildest dreams. So far, that he reached the absolute pinnacle that this industry has to offer. But for some reason, all of the sudden, he decided to give all of himself away.” Zelina Vega steps in, adding, “To the Judgment Day. And Rhea Ripley. R-Truth. You poured your time into every one else. And all they did was take from you.” Aleister says, “In come the ones dressed in black.” Not to save you. Not to guide you. No, to remind you of what you buried. Because man doesn’t descend into violence. He returns to it.

For six MONTHS, they’ve stripped you down, made you unpredictable, and made you hateful and violent. They made you honest, Priest. And yet you still don’t get it. All who are reminded of this answer to someone, Damian, and you now answer to them. Priest wasn’t hiding from the truth, he simply couldn’t carry it. This ends when Aleister says it ends. Win or lose, they have already changed Priest. Man doesn’t hesitate when he is reminded of what he really is. But if that creation cannot understand it’s purpose, it doesn’t get a second chance. It gets ended. The Dark Father and La Muneca have spoken, but will the Archer of Infamy accept their premise?

Backstage interview with Jade Cargill.

Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion and brings up how things have escalated between her and Mia Yim. How does Jade foresee this coming to an end? Jade says, “With me stomping a hole through her chest.” Michin couldn’t face Jade head on, she had to blindside her with the kendo stick, and that told Jade everything she needed to know. Mia is scared, as she should be! Her, B-Fab, and the whole locker room! Jade doesn’t need weapons, she is a weapon! So Michin, bring your kendo stick, cuz you gonna need it! The Storm storms off, will she wash Mia away with the reign?

B-Fab finishes watching this.

Michin walks in and asks what’s going on, and she sees the screen. Oh, right, the goofy tube. B-Fab says she knows Mia was just sticking up for her, but B-Fab doesn’t want Mia getting hurt for it. No one is scared, but being cautious is not dumb. This could get back real quick. Mia says Jade thinking they’re scared can work to their advantage! She’s just getting it all confused, because they aren’t afraid, they just don’t respect her. And the reason why is because Jade’s no locker room leader, she has a bad attitude, and she thinks that just because she’s got big muscles, she’s automatically better than the others? No!

Mia says Jade needs to be humbled. With or without weapons, class will be in session. B-Fab agrees, and she fist bumps Mia. But will the Head Baddie In Charge ring in the New Year with a win over the champion? Or will the resolutions already be broken on January 2nd?

Charlotte Flair w/ Alexa Bliss VS Lash Legend w/ Nia Jax!

Lil’ Miss Bliss couldn’t stop The Bougie Bully, but maybe it’s time to pick on someone her own size! Will The Queen make Lash bow down? Or will we see why Lash is a legend in the making?

SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance, Alexa right by her side. The bell rings and the fans “WOO~” while Charlotte and Lash circle. They feel things out, tie up, and go around. Lash puts Charlotte on the ropes, the ref counts, and Charlotte slips away. They tie up, Charlotte wrenches, but Lash wrenches back. Charlotte cartwheels, wrenches, but Lash KNEES low! Lash talks trash, then scoops to SLAM! Lash talks more trash, stands Charlotte up, and KNEES her low again. But Charlotte CHOPS in return! Lash CLOBBERS Charlotte in return! The fans rally while Charlotte is dazed, and Lash stands Charlotte up.

Lash SMACKS Charlotte off buckles, then bumps her off more buckles! The fans rally for Charlotte but Lash bumps her off more buckles! Nia applauds, Lash whips corner to corner, but Charlotte goes up and over! Charlotte keeps moving, but Lash UPPERCUTS her! Cover, ONE!! Charlotte is tougher than that, but Lash just talks more trash. Lash stands Charlotte up, whips her to a corner, then runs in. Charlotte dodges, Lash stops short and ELBOWS Charlotte! Charlotte ENZIGIRIS in return! Both women stagger, but Charlotte runs up, only for Lash to POP-UP POWERBOMB! Lash scowls and dusts herself off while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Lash drags Charlotte up to scoop and dribble her in the ropes! The fans fire up but the ref counts, so Lash stops at 4. Lash then goes to the other side to dribble Charlotte in the ropes again! The fans are torn, but Nia applauds, and Lash SLAMS Charlotte down! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is still tougher than that, but Lash clamps on with the cravat. Lash thrashes Charlotte with the cravat but the fans rally up for Charlotte. Charlotte rises, fires body shots, then fires counter forearms! Charlotte whips Lash to a corner, but Lash reverses! Charlotte tumbles up and out, then BOOTS Lash away!

Charlotte hurries up the corner while the fans cheer, and Charlotte CROSSBODIES! Charlotte bounces off the cover, but the fans fire up with her as she CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! “WOO~! WOO~! WOO~!” Charlotte whips, Lash reverses, but Charlotte dodges a shot to handspring- BOOT from Lash! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives, but Lash dusts herself off again. Lash drags Charlotte up, reels her in, and lifts, but Charlotte sunset flips through! TWO! Both women hurry to their feet, and Lash runs up, but into a BOOT! Lash staggers, Charlotte runs up, but into a LARIAT! Lash shakes out her elbows before she goes back to Charlotte.

Lash drags Charlotte up, the fans rally, but Lash has the back rack! LASH EX- NO, Charlotte slips up around around to DDT! Charlotte drags Lash to the drop zone, steps on Lash, then goes to the corner. Charlotte climbs up top, MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Lash survives and Charlotte is surprised and upset! Charlotte wants the leg, she gives it a KNEE JAMMER! Lash writhes, Nia coaches her up, but Charlotte steps through. Nia distracts! Then Lash BOOTS Charlotte into the buckles! The fans boo but Alexa jumps on Nia! SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Alexa off, Charlotte goes up and over Lash to sunset flip, CHARLOTTE WINS!!

Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall

The Queen snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, and now things are even between the teams! But what will it take to name one of them the next #1 contenders?

Aldis talks with someone in his office.

The SmackDown General Manager knows he said to “make yourself at home,” but this isn’t exactly what he had in mind. Laid back with his feet up on the desk is TRICK WILLIAMS! Trick says you talking to THE Trick Williams, so he had to put his lemon pepper steppers up. Trick then stands up to talk business. Monday Night Raw is ready to throw Trick the bag, but is Friday Night SmackDown ready to raise the ante? Because Trick doesn’t play games, he knows this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Cody Rhodes steps in and tells Trick to give them the room. Trick says, “Okay, champ.” Trick steps out, but will this free agent soon be Team Red or Team Blue?

As for Cody and Aldis, Cody asks if Drew has apologized or not. Has he paid the fine? Aldis says no, not yet. Then what are we waiting for? Cody understands the diplomacy, but- Aldis stops Cody there, and wants to say as his friend that while Aldis “works for the champ,” please indulge him. Control your damn emotions! Need Aldis remind Cody that even just one little finger tap, and Cody is stripped of the title. Cody sighs, but then Trick steps back in. Trick changed his mind: Cody is talking to an Iron Survivor winner, an NXT North American Champion, TWO-TIME NXT Champion and former #TrickNA World Champion! THE hottest free agent in the game!

And if Nick Aldis makes the right decision, then Cody better hold onto that title real tight. Cody says okay, Trick. Cody heads out, but will the American Nightmare catalog that attitude for later? Will Drew come through and do all he agreed to before the show is over?

MFT speaks.

Solo Sikoa says, “Howdy. You think you got it all figured out, huh? You think you scare us? You walk around here, preaching about family, when in reality, you don’t even have one! You run around with a bunch of men that hide behind their masks. But you see, me? What I’ve created, I’ve created a family. Something you know nothing about. Howdy, we don’t run from fear, we create fear. So you better hang onto those tag team titles as long as you can, because the fireflies… They’re fading away. The lantern is burning real, real low. And those broken souls that gave you purpose are questioning why their blood is on your hands, and why your world is in mine.”

Solo whistles the tune, “He’s got the whole world in his hands.” But will the would-be Tribal Chief be the patriarch of SmackDown? Or will the Wyatts show him what both fear and family really look like?

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Carmelo Hayes!

The Mad Russian Dragon is not without his honor and pride as a warrior. Tommaso Ciampa ruined the last time Ilja faced Melo, so this is to rectify that outcome. But will Ilja beat H1M all on his own this time? Or will Melo not miss the game winner on this golden opportunity?

SmackDown returns as Melo makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, we finally clear away the “what if!”

The bell rings and the two fire off fast hands! The fans fire up, Ilja CHOPS, but Melo CHOPS! The CHOPS continue, the fans “WOO~,” and Ilja whips Melo into a corner. Ilja CHOPS, Melo staggers away, but then he CHOPS in return! And CHOPS, stomps, and ROCKS Ilja in the corner! Ilja goes to the other corner, but then he CHOPS! Ilja KNEES Melo low, KNEES him down, then steps on him! Ilja fires up, the fans are with him, and he brings Melo around. Melo ROCKS Ilja, Ilja springs up to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up again and Ilja hurries to waistlock! Melo fights but Ilja still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on, and he talks a bit of smack.

The fans rally up for Melo, Melo fights around, and he hooks a leg. Ilja CLUBS Melo, then drags him up again. GERMAN SUPLEX! Melo fires forearms from the mat, but Ilja just CHOPS him! Ilja waistlocks and grinds Melo with almost a rear bearhug. Ilja fights to bring Melo up, but Melo fights the lift. So Ilja shifts to a COBRA TWIST, just to throw ELBOW after ELBOW! Then Ilja pump handles, lifts, and even as Melo fires elbows, Ilja EXPLODERS Melo away! Melo goes to a corner, but Ilja CHOPS! Melo pushes Ilja, Ilja KNEES low! Ilja goes side to side to BOOT WASH Melo outta the ring! The fans fire up with Ilja while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Ilja puts Melo in a corner. Ilja CHOPS, BOOTS, and he watches Melo fall. Ilja stands Melo back up, CHOPS again, and then BOOTS again! Melo flops back down but the fans rally up. Ilja drags Melo back up, CHOPS again, then BOOT- NO, Melo blocks that one! Melo CHOPS, CHOPS, and BOOTS in return! Ilja BOOTS Melo! Ilja whips corner to corner, Melo bounces off buckles, but he comes back to LARIAT! Melo fires a forearm, a CHOP, and repeat! Ilja swings, but Melo spins him to CRAVAT SMASH and LARIAT! The fans fire up and Melo snarls. Ilja stands, Melo ducks the chop, FADE AWAY JUMPER!

The fans fire up again and Melo is feeling it! Melo tilt-o-whirls, but Ilja throws him away! KNEE STRIKE! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and the fans rally up. Ilja goes up the corner, aims, and SUPER SENTONS but FLOPS as Melo moves! Melo runs in, LA MYSTICA!! Cover, TWO!! Ilja survives that hard impact but the fans continue to rally for Melo. Melo pounds the mat, he drags Ilja up, and “This is Awesome!” as Melo fires kicks into Ilja. Ilja blocks a kick, stands up, but Melo CHOPS! And CHOPS! Ilja eggs Melo on, so Melo fires forearms! Melo CHOPS, but Ilja blocks! Ilja spins to CHOP, then he CHOPS the leg out, and BOOTS Melo down!

Ilja roars, the fans rally up, and Ilja aims. Melo stands, and ENZIGIRIS before Ilja can strike! Melo gets moving, NO LOOK DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Ilja survives and the fans can’t believe! “This is Awesome!” as Melo goes up a corner. Ilja rises, but Melo says NOTHING BUT- NO! Ilja steps aside and waistlocks! Melo fights with elbows, then FADE- NO, Ilja dodges, CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! Ilja then puts Melo in a drop zone, goes up the corner, and SUPER SENTONS!! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives and Ilja is stunned, but Grand Rapids fires up as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns yet again, and both men rise up from the mat. Melo CHOPS, but Ilja SLAPS back! The fans rally while Ilja stands and eggs Melo on. Ilja even brings his kneepads down before he kicks and scuffs Melo. Ilja wants Melo to fight for this title! Melo fires a forearm! Ilja CHOPS! Melo ROCKS Ilja! Ilja BOOTS Melo! The fans are torn with every shot, but Melo SUPERKICKS Ilja! Ilja staggers, into the FIRST- NO, Ilja stops the 48 to pop Melo around! Melo fights with fists, lands safe on the corner, but then Ilja SLAPS him again! Ilja climbs up, Melo SLAPS back! And SLAPS! And HEADBUTTS! Ilja falls!

Melo fires up and the fans are with him! Melo takes aim, NOTHING BUT- GAMANGIRI!! The anti-air leaves them both down, and “This is Awesome!” Ilja rises, drags Melo up, but Melo fires body shots! Melo tumbles to the apron, but Ilja goes to the corner. Ilja drags Melo up, the fans rally, deadlift SUPERPLEX! Ilja then rises up, winds up, H-BOMB onto knees! But Ilja rebounds to STOMP Melo down! SIDE EFFECT SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives again and the fans are thunderous! Ilja drags Melo up, puts him in a corner, and he MACHINEGUN CHOPS! The ref counts, but Ilja puts Melo up top.

Ilja climbs, fires hands, and even a HEADBUTT! Ilja drags Melo to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER ANARCHY!? Melo turns things around and makes the cover, TWO!??! Ilja survives and no one can believe it! “This is Awesome!!” as Ilja crawls away to ropes. Melo follows, slingshots, but Ilja stops the DDT! Ilja repositions things, fireman’s carries, but Melo fires elbows! Melo slips down, SLAPS Ilja, but Ilja CHOPS! And HEADBUTTS, and CHOPS, and repeat! Melo fires back, but Ilja still fireman’s carries! APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Ilja and Melo roll into the ring but to opposite corners! And Ilja climbs!?

Ilja aims, and blows a kiss goodbye! COAST2COAST into the FIRST 48!!! Melo hurries up top, takes aim, and hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, MELO WINS!!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (NEW WWE United States Champion)

FINALLY, Carmelo Hayes lives up to being the Number One Draft Pick by taking this title from the Mad Russian Dragon! Ilja takes the title from the ref so that he can put it on Melo himself! The fans cheer this show of sportsmanship, and Ilja raises Melo’s hand in victory. Melo finally has his moment, will no one ever stop H1M now?

#Charlexa regroups backstage.

And Bliss says she won’t lie, after last week, it was nice to see Lash lose. Charlotte says as long as they do this to every team every week, they can bring those tag titles back. But then in step Rhea & Iyo. Rhea asks if they’re talking tag team titles. They are. Hmm… Well, they seem very confident. Maybe they need a reminder that Rhea & Iyo have their tag title match coming up. Yes, they know. And Iyo says once they win, those titles stay with them. But then Nia & Lash barge in, complaining about how things went out there. Nick Aldis steps in and asks everyone calm down, but then the Kabuki Warriors show up outta nowhere to show off the belts!

Refs rush in and Aldis shouts for everyone to STOP! This chaos has gone far enough. Next week’s SmackDown, in Buffalo, New York, it will be an 8 Woman Tag! They can all fight before the big title match on Raw in Brooklyn and maybe get it out of their systems. Rhea says it’s gonna take a bit more than that, and she pushes Kairi! The shouting is back on, but will actions speak louder than words when WWE rolls into New York for the New Year?

Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.

Cathy Kelley congratulates H1M on becoming the NEW US Champion. He’s surely envisioned this moment many times in his career, but what was it like for Ilja to put that belt around his waist in the middle of the ring? Melo says e was delayed, but he was not denied! He thanks Ilja for elevating this title, for elevating Melo, and reminding Melo who he is! Melo IS H1M, the jerseys are going back up into the rafters, and the division is on notice! BUT GARGANO ATTACKS! Johnny Wrestling knocks Melo into road cases, and tells him he ruined everything! Gargano vows to take everything from H1M! EVERYTHING!

Melo’s celebration just turned into pain, but will he make sure Gargano regrets jumping H1M like that?

Chelsea Green & Alba Fyre VS Giulia & Kiana James!

Speaking of titles, The Hot Mess and Special Slaygent A are looking to stave off a challenge for the Women’s United States Championship. But will Chelsea make it out of Michigan in one piece? Or will she and Alba succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

SmackDown returns and Giulia makes her entrance, Miss Management by her side. The teams sort out, Alba and Kiana step up, but then Chelsea decides she can handle the manager. They tie up, Kiana pulls hair, but Chelsea pulls hair back! The ref reprimands, these two thrash each other, before letting go at 4. They argue about the hair pulling, then they start shoving. Chelsea SLAPS Kiana, rolls her up, TWO! Kiana slips around, rolls Chelsea up, TWO! Kiana wrenches the arm, YANKS the arm, then YANKS again! Kiana wrenches Chelsea to grind the arm, but Chelsea digs her heels in. Kiana still brings her over, tag to Giulia!

Chelsea runs away and tags Alba! Giulia eggs them both on, but dodges Alba to then rush Chelsea! Chelsea drops away to taunt Giulia, and Giulia shouts at her, “Shut up!” Alba runs up, Giulia dodges, and Giulia tags Kiana. The proxies tie up, Kiana waistlocks, but Alba elbows free! Alba salutes, then TORNADO- NO, Kiana keeps Alba up to RAM her into the corner! Kiana RAMS Alba, handsprings, then RAMS again! Kiana pushes Alba down, talks smack to Chelsea, and SUPER- NO, Alba stops the kick to SUPERKICK back! Alba reels Kiana in and TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO! Alba drags Kiana right up to tag Chelsea in.

Alba whips Kiana, then trips her, and Chelsea slides to the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea clamps onto Kiana with a chinlock and she talks trash to Giulia. Giulia snarls at the apron but Kiana fights up and pries the hold free. Kiana KNEES low, runs, but Chelsea TOSSES Kiana out! Chelsea salutes herself, but Kiana skins the cat! Tag to Giulia! Chelsea panics, but Giulia keeps her from Alba! Giulia pulls hair, then TOSSES Chelsea around! And TOSSES her again! Giulia then BLASTS Alba off the apron! Giulia runs corner to corner to KNEE Chelsea! Giulia reels Chelsea in and snap suplexes! The fans fire up while Giulia climbs!

Giulia aims, Chelsea stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! Chelsea tumbles away but Alba returns! Giulia BOOTS her down, then TOSSES her back out! Giulia goes to Chelsea, brings her around, scoop and NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, Giulia & Kiana win!

Winners: Giulia & Kiana James, by pinfall

The Beautiful Madness cleared out Alba and conquered Chelsea practically by herself there! Will nothing stop Giulia from taking that US Championship back from Chelsea?

Kit Wilson talks with Nick Aldis.

The lone Pretty Deadly member says that part of his New Year’s Resolutions is to finally clear out toxic masculinity here on SmackDown! So how about a new opportunity for the new and improved Kit Wilson? Aldis says yes, there will be an opportunity for something new next week. Well, cheers. Kit heads out, Aldis has referee Dan Angler waiting, and Cody then steps in. Cody says the show’s almost over. Has Dan gotten has apology? Nope. Then what’re we waiting for?! Drew is enjoying every second of this! Cody admits, this is his fault, but now Drew’s being unreasonable. Aldis says yes, Cody is right, but-

Drew is making his way to the ring! Aldis tells Cody remember, control his emotions and let Aldis handle this. Aldis and Angler head to gorilla to catch up to Drew, but will Drew come through on the deal? Will the Scottish Terminator stop trolling and actually do what’s right to get what he wants? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Nick Aldis is in the ring, along with Dan Angler. Aldis has a mic and says we all know the situation between Drew and Cody has gone way out of hand. But they won’t put all the blame on Drew, Cody’s been over the line, too, they both have gone way past the line. But in Aldis’ estimation, where this thing really went off the rails is when Drew assaulted this man, referee Dan Angler. Aldis is a man of his word, time for Drew to be a man of his. All they have to do is finish this business transaction, and the title match is Drew’s. The fans tell Drew to apologize, and Drew says he is a man of his word.

First, the fine. Here is that fat check he has to pay. Don’t spend it all at once. Aldis pockets the check for the time being, and Drew says here’s the apology. Drew looks Dan in the eye, and right up to him at that, as he says, “Dan… I’m genuinely sorry I Claymore’d you in the face. It’s been keeping me up for weeks, and no matter what happened or what you did, I should never have attacked a WWE official, so please accept my humblest apology.” The fans applaud, and Dan nods. Aldis thanks Drew for that. He knows it wasn’t easy for Drew, but he appreciates this. Drew says yeah, it wasn’t easy. But this is.

Drew also apologizes that it was obviously Dan’s dream to be a wrestler, doing what everyone else is doing, but he wasn’t good enough, so he settled for being a referee. Drew says he’ll come down to Dan’s level, and he crouches a bit. Drew apologizes to Dan’s lovely wife, Melissa, for her having to watch Drew Claymore Dan in the face, thinking to herself, “I wish I had a husband like Drew, someone who stood up for his convictions no matter the consequences!” Drew gets why Dan had to do it! He was saving himself by screwing over Drew! Drew also apologizes to Dan’s kids that they have such a cowardly corporate stooge of a father!

Drew asks Dan if he’s mad, if he wants revenge, if he wants to hit Drew right now! The fans cheer for Dan to do it! But here comes Cody! Drew grins because he knows where this is going. The American Nightmare storms down the ramp while fans sing along with the song, but no time for the whoa or the pyro! Aldis stops Cody but Drew dares him to do it! Hit him! You know you want to! Drew can see it in Cody’s eyes! The fans wanna see a fight, so what was it Cody said last week? Cody doesn’t work for Aldis, Aldis works for Cody? Cody works for the people? Grand Rapids, do you wanna see Cody punch Drew in the face? The fans cheer yes!

Then do it, Cody! Then you can cry since you’re so good at it! Shed those tears like a teenage girl trying to get daddy’s credit card! Drew dares Cody right in his face! Drew says Cody is so upset from Drew attacking him on the tour bus, his home away from home, where his family sleeps. But the family wasn’t there when Drew attacked, were they? Though… Drew wishes they were. Drew wishes that Cody’s children could’ve seen a real man put the boots to Cody! That Cody’s wife, Brandi, could see what a real man looks like! Aldis has to hold Cody back but Drew knows Cody wants to do it! DO IT! STRIKE!

The fans boo but Drew asks if they wanna know the stipulation. Cody says YES! Tell him! Well, they’re not doing this in America, Cody’s screwed Drew three times here! They’re gonna do this… in Berlin, Germany! The fans boo, but Drew says he knows he’s in Cody’s head, they’ve made each other’s lives a living Hell. So then, Cody Rhodes VS Drew McIntyre for THE Undisputed WWE Championship… THREE STAGES OF HELL!! Cody says ABSOLUTELY! Challenge accepted! Then it is agreed! Oh, one more thing. Drew promises, when he tortures Cody in Berlin, then sends him straight to Hell, “say hi to your dad for me.”

Cody busts free of Aldis, but then feels remorse seeing Aldis fall down. And then CLAYMORE!! Drew grins as Cody writhes, and then Drew grabs the belt. Drew holds it up over Cody, but will this be the scene in just two weeks? Or can Cody survive everything Drew throws at him?

My Thoughts:

A very good SmackDown, though prerecorded, and we got some really good build towards all the New Year SmackDown events. Another very good match out of Lash Legend, but I figured Charlotte would win this. And while we got a good promo from all the teams backstage, an 8 Woman Tag was not quite what I was hoping for when it comes to the titles. Guess they do just want to stick to the standard 2v2 and then let another team step up after. But with SmackDown moving up to three hours, they might be able to do more with the Women’s Division in general. We also got good promos from Jade and the Michin/B-Fab duo, that non-title match should be really good stuff.

Giulia & Kiana of course beat Chelsea & Alba tonight to set up a rematch of Chelsea VS Giulia, and I would hope Giulia wins in the Women’s US Championship match. Not to be mean to Chelsea, but if it is at least a really good match, Alba and Kiana kept from interfering, it can help Chelsea still look strong even in a loss. Hilarious stuff from The Miz with Aldis, Joe Hendry, and the whole contingent of comedy Faces. It was very clear that was R-Truth as Easter Bunny, but still really fun. There are a lot of indicators that outside of Je’Von Evans, all the NXT stars that were at SNME are going SmackDown.

Trick Williams being here was a great little surprise, and Trick coming to SmackDown makes sense: fiancée Lash Legend is here, and so is Trick’s best frenemy, Carmelo Hayes. Ilja VS Melo was an awesome US Championship match, and what an awesome win for Melo. The fun was dulled for me just a bit because uncaring webpages gave away spoilers, but such is life. Gargano going after Melo as opposed to Ciampa or Tama Tonga was a little surprising, but Melo VS Gargano will still be a great title match.

Good promo from Solo Sikoa to call out the Wyatts, and I think we’ll get the MFT VS Wyatt rematch for Royal Rumble SmackDown. Very good promo from Aleister & Zelina to call out Priest for one more match, and I think this has to be where Priest snaps and basically goes Heel. It’d be an interesting move if Priest joined Aleister in a faction that’s somewhere between OG Judgment Day and House of Black from AEW. Though, would they need a tag team to join them? Oddly enough, I don’t see Aleister and Priest joining forces to then just be tag team champions over the different singles champions.

And really good stuff in the Cody VS Drew story here. It was pretty much textbook Heel apology promo where Drew starts with what we want then just rants and insults everyone. Cody followed suit by getting mad but still remembering the rules, only for Drew to get the better of him. I will say, Three Stages of Hell is a great way to escalate things here in the end, and I would think the three stipulations are all No Disqualification based, only getting crazier each time. At this point, Drew needs to find a way to win, even if it is underhanded. Otherwise, what’s the point?

My Score: 8.7/10