The first SmackDown in a post-John Cena era – the brand he debuted on – went down at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigen.
Let’s get into the results:
Nia Jax and Lash Legend def. Kabuki Warriors (non-title)
Giulia def. Alba Fyre
Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes def. DIY
Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis) vs MFTs (Tonga Loa and JC Mateo) – no contest.
Notes:
Damien Priest opened the show. After a little tribute to John Cena, he stated that after the Terror Twins (he and Rhea Ripley) defeated Aleister Black and Zelina Vega, that business was handled. Time to look forward to 2026.
Of course, Vega then interupts him and then Black attacks him. The segment ended with Black crashing Priest through a table.
Backstage, Lash Legend and Nia Jax, dressed in matching Christmas gear, told Byron Saxton they’re heading towards the tag team titles.
Just as Priest was being tended to, Black beat the brakes off him again backstage. This time he hit him with a shovel (bit of a retro weapon) and then hit Black Mass on him next to a cargo door. Talk about getting your heat back.
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair ran down to the ring to attack Lash Legend and Nia Jax after they beat the Kabuki Warriors.
Nick Aldis meets with Drew McIntyre to discuss coming back to WWE. Aldis offers him a title match with Cody Rhodes for the title if he gives the referee he Claymored an apology and pays a fine.
McIntyre says no. He says he’ll only come back if he picks the match he wants with Cody and Rhodes cannot lay a finger on him prior to that match, or he’s stripped of the title.
Aldis agrees, but Rhodes turns up outside McIntyre’s house. Despite security, Rhodes gets at McIntyre a couple of times shouting “he asked for it” and “Merry Christmas, a**hole”.
The Miz demanded a match next week with Joe Hendry (though he was careful not to say his name out loud. Aldis granted him his wish before some comedic comments from R-Truth.
Another seemingly nothing promo from the Wyatt Sicks taunting The MFTs.
Rhodes comes out to cut one of his textbook fired-up promos. Aldis comes down to meet him and explains how Rhodes has made things hard for him.
Once Aldis told him “you’re not above the law,” Rhodes switched gears. “I think you’ve forgotten who you’re talking to. Say my name. I’m the one who sent the tweet that changed the game. I won not one, but two Royal Rumbles. I unseated the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. I defeated the GOAT, John Cena for this title. I’m QB1, dammit. And here you are saying I’m not above the law. I am the law!”
He finished by saying he works for the fans, but Aldis works for him. The tension written on Aldis’ face was beautiful stuff. Memories of their NWA title feud came flooding back…
Michin attacked Jade Cargill with a kendo stick backstage. The champ actually stayed down.
The main event ends with both factions – Wyatt Sicks and MFTs – just brawling all around ringside in chaos.
Analysis:
First off, I hate having champions lose non-title matchups. That’s the most illogical booking ever. If you’re the champion, unless it’s a special multi-team/person matchup, you should defend the belt. Teams should never earn a shot at the champion by… beating the champion. God I hate that.
Secondly, Rhodes was exceptional in the promo segment. It’s difficult when we all know McIntyre isn’t going to take the title off him. There’s a fractional chance he takes it and then drops it back to him in time for WrestleMania, but that’s it. So to get investment from the crowd takes more than anything, top-drawer work.
Rhodes did that with this promo. I don’t doubt the match itself with McIntyre will be good, but we’re at that stage where we’re waiting for WrestleMania season to kick-off in earnest.
I’m not overly excited about the MFTs and Wyatt Sicks programme, but I will say I think Solo Sikoa is shining. His promo before the tag team main event as he walked backstage was well done. Considering he was a mute performer to begin with, his talking skills have grown very quickly. He’s got too much charisma to not excel
