With just days away from 2025 and WWE Raw debut on Netflix, WWE SmackDown delivered its final episode of this year. WWE SmackDown went to Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. WWE SmackDown kicked off with highlights from an ongoing rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens, featuring clips from Owens’ attack on Rhodes after the WWE Bad Blood 2024 PLE.
The show also featured highlights from 2021 and 2023 when The OG Bloodline attacked Owens. The show also featured highlights from the match between Rhodes and Owens which took place at the WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event XXXVII, when Owens executed a Package piledriver on Rhodes after the match.
General Manager Nick Aldis kicks off the WWE SmackDown
This week’s edition of WWE SmackDown began as Nick Aldis addressed what went down on Saturday Night’s Main Event PLE. Nick Aldis addressed an ongoing situation where Kevin Owens has the legendary WWE Winged Eagle Championship under his possession. Nick Aldis gave a final ultimatum to Owens to relinquish the championship by the end of the night or he will face immediate and swear consequences that can also impact his career in WWE.
Bianca Belair, Naomi and Bayley vs. Nia Jax, Candice LeRae, and Tiffany Stratton
The show began with a little backstage interview featuring Cathy Kelley and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions after their victory last week here on WWE SmackDown. Belair and Naomi stated that they have each other’s back and that they will find out who attacked Jade Cargill. Bayley then joined the Champions as they made their way to the ring for their match. Jax made her way to the ringside with the mic in hand as she delivered a very interesting promo. Jax blamed Belair for the attack on Jade Cargill stating that Belair was jealous about the spotlight on her, asking Belair to admit what she did.
The match then kicked off as Belair and Stratton began the things for their teams. Cracks between Jax, LeRae, and Stratton could clearly be seen as they rolled on. Chaos erupted all over the ring as all 6 womens went after each other. Stratton also got an opportunity to cash in her money in the bank contract on Jax before LeRae interrupted her.
Both Stratton and LeRae had an exchange of words which allowed Belair, Naomi, and Bayley to attack on both of them and pick up the win.
Result: Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Bayley def Nia Jax, Candice LeRae, and Tiffany Stratton
Ratings: 6.5 /10
Did you know:
- Corey Graves and Michael Cole on commentary also talked about whether it was Belair who attacked Jade Cargill and I second that.
- During the match when LeRae stopped Stratton from cashing in her money in the back, Stratton shouted in her face saying: “I want to be Champion”.
A backstage segment featuring Nick Aldis and A-Town Down Under
WWE SmackDown then went backstage where Grayson Waller and Austin Theory gave Aldis an invoice for what Braun Strowman did last week on The Grayson Waller Effect. Just as this was going on Sami Zayn appeared in Aldis’s office. Zayn stated that he was only here because The New Bloodline made their presence on this past WWE Raw when they attacked both Jey and Sami Uso.
Just as this was going on Carmelo Hayes interrupted them both as he shared photographs from his match last week when he defeated Braun Strowman via count-out. Zayn, who was here to talk business, stopped Hayes in his tracks as he challenged him to a match here on SmackDown. Aldis then made the match official for tonight.
Braun Strowman vs. Austin Theory
After what happened last week when Strowman appeared on The Grayson Waller Effect and suffered a countout loss to Carmelo Hayes right after that, Strowman was set to face Theory in a singles match.
The match began fast, with Theory managing to lift Strowman off of his feet before Strowman threw him across the ring. The theory also managed to chop the big man down to his feet. Strowman found an opening in the match when he launched Theory on the Waller on the ringside after he tried to interfere in the match. Even with the continuous interruption from Waller, Strowman managed to find a way to win the match.
I really liked Theory’s performance in the match, the guy is clearly operating on a different level and certainly does not really need the help of Waller.
Result: Braun Strowman def Austin Theory
Ratings: 7.5 /10
Did you know:
- Michael Cole on the commentary desk highlights why Austin Theory is set to face Strowman after he destroyed the set of The Grayson Waller Effect. I believe it is a really good point to raise, and it will soon be a reason why Theory will turn on Waller.
Kevin Owens responds to Nick Aldis
After an ultimatum by Aldis earlier on the show, Owens responded by saying that he wants to meet him in the ring one-on-one for a discussion. Owens asked Aldis to meet him without any security.
Chelsea Green’s United States Championship Celebration
WWE SmackDown then featured a championship celebration for Chelsea Green who defeated Michin to become the first-ever WWE Women’s United States Champion at the WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. The segment began as Green bragged about her historic accomplishment. Along with Piper Niven on her side, Green acknowledged and thanked the women who had always been by her side during all this time. Herself.
Green then mentioned Michin, who was her opponent from the finals. Green mocked Michin saying that she was surprised that Michin was able to make it that far into the tournament. Michin then had enough of the Green and made her way out with a kendo stick in hand.
She then gave a little reality check to Miss Green, saying that the only reason why she is the champion is because of Piper Niven. Michin then attacked both Green and Niven, but they managed to find a way to escape.
Did you know:
- During Chelsea Green’s entrance to the ring, the cameraman captured a sign in the audience that said “Chelsea Green Vs. Michael Cole at WrestleMania 41”
Backstage segment featuring Street Profits, DIY, and Nick Aldis
Nick Aldis called out and asked both Gargano and Ciampa about who attacked Street Profits three weeks ago. Both Gargano and Ciampa denied saying it was terrible and awful. Aldis then called Pretty Deadly saying that there were two eyewitnesses on the scene. Pretty Deadly named Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo, which led to backstage chaos as Street Profits immediately attacked them.
Aldis immediately made the match official between both teams to be held right now.
The Street Profits vs. Los Garza
The show then went to the ringside as the match began. The Angry Street Profits took the fight to Los Garza who responded with some of its own. Los Garza controlled the match in the early goings, but the tables turned as soon as Dawkins tagged in.
Los Garza delivered a highly incredible maneuver that I have not seen in my life as they dropped Ford with a suplex-like maneuver from the top turnbuckle while they both stood upon the second turnbuckle creating an even more height than a regular turnbuckle.
Both teams brought their A-game to the show but in the end, Street Profits got the win. I had not expected this kind of a match moments ago when Nick Aldis made it official. But to my surprise, both teams delivered a highly incredible match especially that top turnbuckle maneuver by Los Garza. Man, I just loved that part of the match.
Result: The Profits def Los Garza
Ratings: 8.5 /10
Andrade challenges Shinsuke Nakamura in Cinematic promo on WWE SmackDown
Andrade then delivered a promo calling out Nakamura for a match after their recent encounters on a few recent episodes of WWE SmackDown. The match has been made official and it will take place next Friday when WWE SmackDown moves to 3 hours.
Another match that has been made official during this show is for the WWE Women’s Championship as Nia Jax defends her championship against Naomi next week here on WWE SmackDown.
Backstage segment featuring Pretty Deadly, DIY, Street Profits and MCMG
After exposing Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo earlier in the show, Pretty Deadly ran into DIY backstage. In a quick meeting between both teams, Champa stated to Pretty Deadly that they should out them and then they will look out for them.
Pretty Deadly then met the Street Profits who gave them a little thank you for helping them.
I am sure that it was not Los Garza who attacked the Profits. I am also sure that it was DIY who did that, and now Pretty Deadly is just helping them to be safe from Profits. Profits then ran into the MCMG who told them that if there’s anyone who is getting a championship shot at DIY, it’s them.
Just as this thing was going on, Apollo Crews appeared on the scene and told Profits that it was DIY who attacked them. Crews told Profits that they were just playing games and also that he saw the attack with his bare eyes.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Sami Zayn
After running into each other earlier in the show, both Hayes and Zayn are set to face each other here on WWE SmackDown. Just as the match began between the two, the crowd started chanting Sami Uso, Sami Uso, Sami Uso.
The match between Hayes and Zayn featured a highly fast-paced action. Both of the superstars delivered some impressive offense back and forth. A furious Sami Zayn took the fight to Carmelo Hayes — who decided to run away from the match and ringside. Braun Strowman attacked Hayes from behind, but Hayes managed to escape the monster as Strowman followed him. Meanwhile, The New Bloodline of Solo Sikoa attacked Sami Zayn in the ring from behind. Solo and company attacked Zayn as he tried to fight back.
Strowman who was dealing with Hayes now also rushed to the ring to fight New Bloodline of Solo Sikoa. The self-proclaimed Tribal Chief tried to fight the monster but Strowman took him out with one single shoulder tackle. Strowman continued to fight but the numbers game of the New Bloodline was just too much. Zayn also tried to fight back but got laid out by Solo and company.
Solo then delivered a Samoan Spike to Zayn in the middle of the ring as he said: “Roman, I’m coming for you”. The New Bloodline made the statement ahead of Solo Sikoa’s match against Roman Reigns at the WWE Raw debut on Netflix.
Just as all of this was going on, Kevin Owens appeared in the arena.
Result: No Contest between Hayes and Zayn
Ratings: 7 /10
Kevin Owens arrives on WWE SmackDown
Kevin Owens then finally made his way to the ring as he stood face-to-face with Nick Aldis who asked him to relinquish the WWE Winged Eagle Championship. Owens denied it by saying that this was the only way he could get whatever he wanted now. He then demanded a rematch for the WWE Undisputed Championship. Owens claimed that he would have won the match at the WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event if the referee was not knocked out.
WWE SmackDown GM Nick Aldis then asked Owens to simply hand over the championship or he would never step foot into a WWE ring. Just as this was all going on, Cody Rhodes made his way out as well. Aldis asked Rhodes to turn back but he denied.
Cody Rhodes then challenged Kevin Owens to a ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WWE Royal Rumble 2025 in a ladder match. The match was made official right away by Nick Aldis. Owens then attacked Rhodes with a few cheap shots before leaving the ring.
As Owens was walking away from the ringside he shouted:
I am the true champion. See you at the Rumble B***H…!!!
WWE SmackDown, Dec. 27: Results Highlights
Six Women Tag Match:
Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Bayley def Nia Jax, Candice LeRae, and Tiffany Stratton
Singles Match:
Braun Strowman def Austin Theory
Tag Team Match
The Profits def Los Garza
Singles Match:
No Contest between Hayes and Zayn
My thoughts on this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown
WWE delivered a highly incredible episode of WWE SmackDown this week. WWE has started to draw the painting for WrestleMania 41 already as this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown focused on building deep storylines between the both Men and Women’s division. We saw clear progress toward Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill’s storyline. Nia Jax was the first person who tried to confront Belair saying that she was jealous. The show also explored the storyline with Jax and Stratton. I am pretty sure that Stratton will cash in on the Jax and I think that it will happen at Elimination Chamber or WrestleMania 41. I’m also very positive about WrestleMania as no woman has ever done that and this early in Stratton’s career — it would be a great step for the company.
The show went a step further with the A-Town Down Under. Austin Theory delivered a really incredible match against Braun Strowman. There have been cracks between Theory and Waller for some time now. I think it’s now time for Theory to step out from the shadow of Waller and do things on his own. I also think that there could be a future rivalry between the two once Theory finally turns on Waller.
The show also rolled on The Street Profits storyline. The Profits were first told on the show by Pretty Deadly that it was Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo who attacked them, but later in the show Apollo Crews said that it was DIY who did all of that. Crews also said that he saw that attack on Street Profits with his own eyes and that DIY is just playing with them. I think that WWE is simply just starting a rivalry between the DIY, Street Profits, and Motor City Machine Guns, which might lead to a WrestleMania match. If that happens, I am pretty sure that these will tear the house town in Las Vegas.
WWE also rolled on with the ongoing rivalry between Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes. As of now a Ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Championship is been made official for the 2025 Royal Rumble.
I think it was a great way to end 2024 for the WWE SmackDown. Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.
Ratings: 7 /10
