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Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Today we will once again enjoy a new live coverage of WWE SmackDown, which this time will be broadcasted on tape delay from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This will be the last show of the blue brand of 2025 and will feature several matches and segments of interest, highlighting a new open challenge for the United States Championship.
Additionally, Joe Hendry will face The Miz in the first match of the Scotsman on a weekly show of the WWE main roster. On the other hand, Drew McIntyre will return to the blue brand in the midst of a rivalry with Cody Rhodes. As always, we invite you to comment on the note to give your opinion on what happens on this week's SmackDown blue brand show.
WWE SmackDown starts on Netflix!
The show begins with a video recap of the events that took place last week as a result of the rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre.
Cody Rhodes arrives at the venue, where Nick Aldis is waiting for him. Rhodes asks the General Manager if Drew McIntyre has arrived. "Not yet, but he's on his way," Nick replies. With that, he reminds him that the Scotsman has already signed the contract. So, once he publicly apologizes and pays the fine, Cody won't be able to lay a hand on him. Otherwise, he will have to strip him of his WWE Championship. "Let me know when he arrives," says Cody before leaving.
Aldis continues on his way to meet The Miz. "Where is he?" asks Mizanin. "Who?" asks Nick. "You know who," replies The Miz. Nick was just joking. He knows it's Joe H... The Miz interrupts him, asking him not to say his name. That guy ruined his appearance on Saturday Night's Main Event, so he wants Aldis to send him straight to the ring, without even playing his theme music, so he can give him what he deserves. "There will be no music for Joe Hendry," says Aldis with a Christmas hat on his head.
Say his name and he appears!
Joe Hendry appears in the ring. He is accompanied by Otis and several girls dressed as Santa Claus, a giant Easter bunny, and Akira Tozawa, dressed as an elf sitting in one of the corners. Joe grabs a guitar and sits in the center of the ring. "Ladies and gentlemen, Merry Christmas," says the Scotsman before pointing out that he has a gift in the form of a Christmas song for all of them. The song is dedicated to The Miz and his little balls. "Jingle Bells. Jingle Bells. Miz has tiny balls," says the chorus.
The Miz interrupts the concert to make it clear that this is not Hendry's show. He, on the other hand, believes that The Miz is upset because they started the concert without him. Joe resumes the song encouraging Mizanin to join in. The Miz raises his hand to remind everyone present that this gesture means they should be quiet and let him speak. The Miz gets into the ring to point out that for two decades he has dealt with people who have mocked him more effectively than this simple song. Now he is trying to establish a legacy that he has earned with pain, not with catchy phrases. "And now that John Cena is gone, I have earned the right to be the leader of the locker room and lead this company into the future," he says. "The jokes are over! Clear the ring! Get rid of all this stuff! You and I have a match here and now!", he exclaims. Aldis interrupts the scene to address The Miz. The General Manager informs him that, due to the holidays, his match has undergone a slight change, and it will now be a Miracle on 34th Street Fight. "I hate the holidays!" shouts a furious The Miz.
Miracle on 34th Street Fight
Joe Hendry vs. The Miz
Hendry traps The Miz in a headlock on the mat. The Miz frees himself to surprise the Scotsman with a direct kick to the face. Joe counters with a tackle before applying a Stalling Suplex. The Miz rolls to ringside to prevent his opponent from covering him. Joe goes after him, but before that, he stops in front of a Christmas tree to open a gift. From inside, he takes out a guitar.
The Miz opens a gift under another Christmas tree, only to extract a much smaller guitar. The fans laugh. The Miz asks for time to open another gift. This time he finds two small decorative balls. The fans laugh again. Joe heads towards The Miz with the guitar, but his rival stops him with a kick. The Miz uses the balls to hit his opponent's face.
Both men struggle. Joe blocks a Skull Crushing Finale in front of a Christmas tree to respond with an armdrag. The Miz crashes into the tree. Joe retrieves a table from under the ring to earn the fans' ovation. Hendry takes it inside the ring to set it up next to one of the corners. The Miz returns to surprise Joe with a roll-up. 1..2..NO. The Miz blocks a Standing Ovation to escape to ringside.
The Miz returns aiming to surprise the Scotsman, but he leaves the ring at that precise moment to escape from his opponent. Joe joins Otis, Tozawa, and the Easter bunny. Furious, The Miz begins to destroy part of the ring's set. Otis tries to calm him down by giving him a Christmas gift, but The Miz throws him to the mat to smash it with several elbow drops.
We return from the commercial break to see The Miz and Hendry lying on the mat. Joe throws a series of punches at The Miz, followed by a clothesline. Otis and Tozawa bring a Christmas tree to Hendry, who quickly uses it as a weapon against The Miz. Joe knocks down his opponent with a Freak of Nature. Hendry applies a second Freak of Nature, this time to the tree, which ends up hitting The Miz.
The Miz blocks the Standing Ovation, only to be expelled from the ring. Tozawa approaches with a tray of cookies, which The Miz quickly hurls violently to the ground. The Easter bunny approaches The Miz. He uses a candy cane-shaped kendo stick to hit the bunny. The Miz tries to repeat the attack against Otis, but he blocks it.
Now it's Hendry who uses the stick to hit The Miz's back. After that, he repeats the attack, this time directly against his groin. Joe brings him back into the ring. Otis, Tozawa, and the bunny accompany him. The four surround The Miz, who pleads for mercy. The Miz tries to surprise Joe, but he blocks the attack to respond with a Freak of Nature.
Otis applies a Caterpillar, but stops before finishing to take a tray of cookies that Hendry offers him. Otis eats a few before launching himself at The Miz, who ends up swallowing some by force. Akira finishes him off with a diving senton. The impact causes the cookies in The Miz's mouth to fly out.
It's the Easter bunny's turn, who finally reveals his identity. It's R-Truth! He crouches in front of The Miz. "You Can't See Me!", exclaims R-Truth before applying a Five Knuckle Shuffle. The Miz stands up, only for Joe to smash the guitar against his body. After that, the Scotsman applies a Standing Ovation on the table, which shatters. 1..2..3.
Winner: Joe Hendry
Hendry, R-Truth, Otis, and Tozawa celebrate in the ring moving their arms to the rhythm of the Scotsman's theme music. The four pose to end the segment.
Axiom and Nathan Frazer converse with Carmelo Hayes backstage. The Europeans congratulate Hayes on his victory last week. "HIM" said he wouldn't fail, and he didn't. And that's why they respect him. Carmelo thanks them for their words. Ilja Dragunov appears on the scene to place his hands on Axiom and Frazer. "Gentlemen, do you mind?" asks the Russian. "Of course," replies the Spaniard. The former NXT tag team champions leave so that Ilja and Carmelo can talk in private. Dragunov acknowledges that what they did to #DIY last week was beautiful. "But there's something that eats away at me inside: the way our United States Championship match ended. I can't bear that burden," says Ilja. "If it makes you feel better, it eats away at me not knowing what would have happened... or what should have happened," Melo replies. "That's good. Consider the open challenge closed, because whether you like it or not, tonight you face me for the United States Championship," says Ilja as he extends his hand. A smiling Hayes shakes it to accept the offer. "Your pain will entertain," says Dragunov. "I won't fail," replies Hayes. He prepares to leave, but Ilja pulls him back towards him once again without letting go of his hand. "You better get ready," says the Russian as he releases him. Carmelo simply smiles before leaving.
We see the arrival at the venue of some of tonight's protagonists: Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Lash Legend, Nia Jax, and Drew McIntyre. The latter is interviewed by Cathy Kelley, who tries to get a preview of the decision the Scotsman has made regarding his title match against Cody Rhodes. Drew refuses to reveal anything, claiming he is suffering from jet lag from his trip from Scotland. Now he will rest a bit, but he promises that by the end of the night, we will all have the answers to all our questions.
Aleister Black stars in a video promo. Sitting in a chair, the Dutchman tells a story about a very talented man. So much so that he achieved things he never even dreamed of. That man reached the top by obtaining one of the most precious possessions this industry can offer (the World Heavyweight Championship). However, one day he decided to give himself completely. Zelina appears on the scene to continue the story. "The Judgment Day, Rhea Ripley, R-Truth. You dedicated your time to everyone else. And all they did was take it away from you," says Zelina. "Then come those dressed in black," says Aleister. "Not to save you. Not to guide you, but to remind you of what you buried. Because the man does not descend into violence. He returns to it."
"After six months, we stripped you of everything. We made you unpredictable. We made you hateful and violent," states Zelina. "We made you honest," adds Black. "And still you don't understand," says Zelina. "All these reminders respond to something, Damian. And you... you answer to us," says Aleister. "You weren't hiding the truth. You just couldn't bear it," says Zelina. "So this ends when I say so. You win or lose, we've already changed you, Damian. The Man does not hesitate. No. He is reminded of what he really is," says Aleister. "But if that creation cannot understand its purpose, it doesn't get a second chance," says Zelina before leaving. "It ends with it," adds Black before getting up and leaving.
Byron Saxton interviews Jade Cargill backstage. Byron asks her about her current rivalry with Michin. "The Storm" recalls that Michin attacked her from behind with a kendo stick because he is afraid of her. Cargill assures that her friend B-Fab is also afraid of her. And they are right. In fact, all the female locker room should fear her. "I don't need weapons. I am THE weapon," she says before turning to the camera. "Michin, bring your kendo stick, because you're going to need it," she says before moving the microphone away. Jade leaves to end the interview.
B-Fab watches the promo from a monitor in another backstage area. Michin approaches her to mock Michin. B-Fab knows that her friend is only defending her, but she doesn't want that to end up hurting her. B-Fab is sure that Michin is brave, but she also needs to be cautious. Michin points out that the fact that Jade thinks they fear her gives them an advantage. Cargill is just confused because they don't fear her, they simply don't respect her. First, because she doesn't lead the female locker room. Second, because of her lousy behavior. And third, simply having big muscles doesn't make her better than the others or give her the right to trample them. No, Jade needs to be humiliated. And, with or without a kendo stick, next week they will teach her that lesson. Michin and B-Fab fist bump to end the segment.
Lash Legend (with Nia Jax) vs. Charlotte Flair (with Alexa Bliss)
Lash and Charlotte struggle as they try to take the lead in the match. Legend throws a knee to Flair's stomach before taking her down with a powerslam. Charlotte applies a chop to Lash, who responds with a clothesline. Legend takes her opponent to one of the corners. Flair tries to recover, but her rival knocks her down with an uppercut. 1..2..NO.
Both women engage in an exchange of attacks that ends with Lash executing a powerbomb. Legend traps Charlotte in her arms to hit her repeatedly against the first and second ropes. After that, she finishes her off with a powerslam. 1..2..NO. Flair gets up to kick Lash, who she finishes with a diving crossbody. Charlotte continues with a rain of chops. Flair tries to apply a handspring clothesline, but Lash stops her with a pump kick. 1..2..NO.
Lash prepares to execute a powerbomb, but Flair frees herself to apply a roll-up. 1..2..NO. Legend knocks down Charlotte again before preparing for her Lash Extension. Flair reverses the move into a DDT! Charlotte drags her rival to one of the corners to jump with a moonsault. 1..2..NO.
Flair punishes Legend's left knee before preparing the Figure Four Lock, but Nia climbs onto the apron to distract her. Legend takes advantage of this to kick Flair, who ends up in one of the corners. "I didn't do anything wrong," says "The Irresistible Force" as she steps down from the apron. Furious, Alexa lunges at Jax's back. Meanwhile, Legend charges at Flair. She dodges to respond with a sunset flip and cover her. 1...2...3.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
Trick Williams talks with Nick Aldis in the General Manager's office. "When I told you to make yourself at home, I didn't mean this," says Aldis as he sees Williams putting his feet on his desk. Trick laughs, saying he likes to do these kinds of things. However, he has come to talk business. Williams informs Aldis that Raw is ready to offer him a good deal. "Are you going to improve the offer or not? Because I didn't come to play. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he says. Cody Rhodes interrupts them. "Can you give Nick and me a minute, please?" asks the WWE Undisputed Champion to the NXT talent. "Okay, champ," Trick says before leaving.
Rhodes asks Nick if Drew has already apologized to the referee he attacked and if he has paid his fine. Aldis informs him that the Scotsman has arrived, but has not yet made a move. "What are we waiting for? I don't understand this diplomacy," replies a annoyed Cody. Nick tries to calm him down. "Let me tell you something, as a friend. I know I work for you, but let me have a moment. Control your damn emotions. I have to remind you. (Put) a single finger (on him) and I'll have to take that title away from you," says the General Manager.
Williams returns to tell “The American Nightmare” that he’s not finished. “You’re talking to an Iron Survivor winner, North American Champion, two-time NXT Champion, former TNA Champion… oh, sorry, Trick-NA World Champion. I am the most sought-after free agent in this game. And if Nick makes the right decision, you’d better hold on tight to that title,” he says. “Alright, Trick. Alright,” Cody replies before leaving.
Solo Sikoa delivers a video promo. Seated at a table with his men behind him, Sikoa sends a direct message to Uncle Howdy. Solo claims his enemy doesn’t have a real family—just a group of people hiding behind masks. He, however, has built a real family. “Howdy, we don’t run from fear. We crave it,” he says. “You’d better hold on to those Tag Team Titles as long as you can, because the fireflies are fading. The lantern flame burns weaker and weaker, and those broken souls you gave a purpose to will question you when their blood is on your hands, and when your world is in mine.” Solo begins to whistle. “He’s got the whole world in his hands,” he hums to end the promo.
United States Championship Match
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
Both men kick things off with a fast exchange as soon as the bell rings. Dragunov takes Hayes down and follows up with several knee strikes straight to the face. Ilja continues to dominate the match. The Russian traps Melo and delivers two consecutive German suplexes. Carmelo tries to break free, but his opponent stops him with several elbows. Ilja drops Carmelo with a suplex. Dragunov kicks Hayes into one of the corners, sending him to ringside.
We return from the break to see the champion still in control. Hayes blocks a kick and answers with a flurry of offense. Carmelo knocks Dragunov down with a clothesline. Hayes dodges a chop and counters with a springboard clothesline. “Melo, Melo!” chant the fans. Ilja stops his opponent’s momentum before launching himself with a diving senton. Hayes avoids it, causing the Russian’s back to crash into the mat. Carmelo hits a tilt-a-whirl facebuster. 1..2..NO.
Carmelo traps Dragunov’s left arm and kicks the champion in the face. Ilja breaks free and responds with several chops. Dragunov looks to hit the H-Bomb, but Melo stops him with an enzuigiri. Hayes runs the ropes and hits a springboard DDT. 1..2..NO. “This is awesome!” chant the fans. Carmelo goes up top for Nothing But Net, but Ilja cuts him off. Dragunov dodges a springboard clothesline and answers with a Discus Lariat. Ilja heads to the top for a diving senton, this time connecting. 1..2..NO. Dragunov can’t believe it.
We return from another commercial break to see both men trading knee strikes on the mat. Exhausted, Ilja and Carmelo continue exchanging blows. Dragunov blocks a facebreaker and drives his opponent into a corner. Both men trade stiff shots. A headbutt from Carmelo drops Ilja to the canvas. Hayes launches himself with Nothing But Net, but Dragunov meets him with an enzuigiri. Both men are laid out.
Ilja gets Hayes to his feet and takes him to the corner. Dragunov hits a superplex, followed by the H-Bomb, but Melo blocks it with his knees. Ilja quickly answers with a stomp and then a slam. 1..2..NO. The fans can’t believe it. Dragunov takes his rival to the top of another corner. Carmelo reverses another superplex into a mid-air cutter! 1..2..NO. The fans leap to their feet again, stunned by what they’re witnessing. “This is awesome!” they chant.
The action continues. Ilja blocks an apron DDT. The Russian unleashes a barrage of chops on Hayes and finishes him with a Death Valley Driver onto the apron. Dragunov goes up top for a Coast to Coast, but Hayes stops him with a facebreaker! Carmelo quickly climbs to the top rope and finishes the champion with Nothing But Net. 1..2..3.
Winner and NEW United States Champion: CARMELO HAYES
Ilja prevents the referee from handing the title to Hayes. Dragunov personally places the championship around Melo’s waist and raises his arm in a show of respect. Ilja exits the ring so the new champion can celebrate. Hayes poses on the turnbuckle as fireworks echo throughout the arena. Carmelo celebrates with the fans as the segment comes to an end.
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair talk backstage. Alexa admits that after what happened last week, it’s a relief that Flair defeated Lash Legend tonight. “The Queen” says they just need to keep beating every team to reclaim the Tag Team Championships. IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley approach them. Rhea overheard the conversation and feels they’re very confident, so she wants to remind them that she and IYO will soon get a shot at the gold. “And once we win, (the titles) will be with us,” SKY adds. Lash Legend and Nia Jax barge in to remind them not to forget about them. The three teams start arguing. Soon, The Kabuki Warriors join in. Nick Aldis and several officials arrive to restore order. “This chaos has gone too far, so here’s what we’re going to do. Next week on SmackDown, in Buffalo, New York, you’ll compete in a tag team match, so you can all face off before your big title match at Raw in Brooklyn. Maybe that way you can get this intense dislike out of your systems,” Aldis says. “It’s a little more than intense,” Rhea notes as she shoves Kairi Sane. All four teams resume shouting and pushing as officials try to stop them.
Cathy Kelley interviews Carmelo Hayes backstage. Hayes wants to thank Ilja Dragunov for tonight’s opportunity and for reminding him who he is. Suddenly, Johnny Gargano attacks him from behind. “This is all your fault!” Johnny yells as Candice LeRae tries to calm him down. “You ruined everything! I’m taking everything from you! Everything! That title is mine! It’s mine!” he shouts before his wife finally pulls him away. A battered Hayes remains on the floor as the segment ends.
Tag Team Match
Giulia and Kiana James vs. Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre
Chelsea and Kiana start the match. Both women grapple, pulling each other’s hair. Green and James trade roll-ups. Kiana traps Chelsea’s left arm and tags in Giulia. Green quickly retreats to her corner to tag in Fyre. Giulia tags Kiana back in, eager to get her hands on Chelsea.
Kiana delivers several corner spears on Alba before taunting Chelsea. Fyre blocks a superkick from James and answers with one of her own. Chelsea and Alba team up on Kiana, with the former knocking her down with a facebuster. 1..2..NO. Green traps James in a headlock. Chelsea knocks Kiana out of the ring and poses for the fans. James returns to tag in Giulia. Chelsea turns around to find “The Beautiful Madness” is now the legal competitor.
Green tries to escape, but her opponent grabs her by the hair. Giulia tosses Chelsea around the ring. Giulia strikes Alba in her corner before charging Chelsea with a knee strike. Giulia hits a suplex on the Canadian. “Alba!” cries a dazed Green. Giulia heads up top for a missile dropkick. Fyre enters the ring to answer Chelsea’s call, but is quickly sent back out by Giulia. She goes back to Chelsea and finishes her with a Northern Lights Bomb, shouting “Arrivederci!” 1..2..3.
Winners: Giulia and Kiana James
Kit Wilson talks with Nick Aldis in the General Manager’s office. Wilson has a New Year’s resolution: to eradicate toxic masculinity on SmackDown. “How about a new opportunity for the new and improved Kit Wilson?” asks the Pretty Deadly member. “You know what, Kit? There will be an opportunity for something new for you next week on SmackDown,” Aldis says. Wilson thanks him and leaves. Nick turns to referee Dan Engler, who is waiting in the office, but they’re interrupted by Cody Rhodes, who notes that the show is in its final minutes. “Hasn’t he apologized yet?” he asks Engler. Engler says no. Cody insists McIntyre’s actions are unjustified. Suddenly, Drew’s music hits. We see the Scotsman making his entrance on the office screen. Aldis asks Rhodes to wait in the room while he and Engler head to the ring.
We see a brief teaser video featuring Oba Femi.
We return from commercial to see Drew McIntyre, Nick Aldis, and Dan Engler in the ring. Microphone in hand, Aldis says that both Drew and Cody have taken things too far, and it all started when the Scotsman attacked this referee. That’s why he asks him to do the right thing and apologize. After that, he can have his title match. Drew says he’s a man of his word. He pulls a check from his pocket and hands it to Nick, then stands in front of the referee. “Dan. I truly am sorry for hitting you in the face with a Claymore. No matter what happened or what you did, I should never have attacked a WWE official, so please accept my most humble apology,” the Scotsman says. Nick thanks him for his words, especially knowing it couldn’t have been easy.
“It wasn’t easy for me. But this is,” Drew says before turning back to Engler. “I also apologize because obviously your dream was to be a wrestler, here in this ring, doing what I do, a former world champion, but you weren’t good enough, so you had to be a referee. I apologize that your lovely wife Melissa had to see me hit you in the face with a Claymore, and had to think, ‘I wish I had a husband like Drew McIntyre, who stands up for his convictions no matter the consequences.’ I understand why you did it. You had to save yourself. You had to screw me to save yourself, protect Cody. But I feel bad and I want to apologize for your kids. For having a cowardly corporate stooge as a father,” the Scotsman says. He insists he’s not finished and dares the referee to do something about it.
Cody Rhodes storms onto the scene
Drew smiles maliciously as the Undisputed WWE Champion enters the ring. McIntyre immediately gets in his face, daring him to hit him. Drew recalls the champion’s words from last week, when he said he doesn’t work for Nick Aldis, but for the fans. “Michigan, do you want to see Cody Rhodes punch me in the face right now?” he asks. Rhodes takes off his jacket. Drew keeps provoking him. “I know why you’re so angry. It’s because I attacked you on your bus, your home when you weren’t there. Where your family sleeps. Your family wasn’t there when I attacked you, right? But I wish they had been. I wish your daughters had seen a real man smashing your face. I wish your wife Brandi had seen what a real daddy looks like,” he says. Aldis grabs Rhodes to calm him down. “Come on, Cody! Come on! I know you want to! Do it! Hit me!” Drew shouts.
“Do you want to know the stipulation?” McIntyre asks. “Tell me, tell me!” Cody yells. “We’re not doing this in America. You screwed me three times here. We’re taking this to Berlin, Germany. You tried to make my life hell. Obviously I’m in your head, making your life miserable. How about this? Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship. Three Stages of Hell!” the Scotsman exclaims. “I accept!” Rhodes answers without hesitation. Drew adds one last thing. “When I torture you in Berlin, when I send you straight to Hell, say hello to your dad for me”, he says. Nick restrains Rhodes again. Cody strikes the General Manager to free himself, allowing McIntyre to hit a Claymore on the champion. Smiling, Drew picks up the title and poses with it over a knocked-out Rhodes. He tosses it back onto its rightful owner and heads backstage. And with that, this week’s episode comes to an end.
