After witnessing the epic WWE Survivor Series: WarGames (2024) this past Saturday, WWE SmackDown heads to Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This is the same city that will host the upcoming WWE SummerSlam (2026) at the U.S. Bank Stadium.
With WarGames now in the rearview mirror, WWE sets its eyes on building the storyline for the upcoming WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event PLE.
Announced in advance of Friday’s show:
- WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes kicks off WWE SmackDown
- Motor City Machine Guns (C) vs. Street Profits – WWE Tag Team Championship
- Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Elektra Lopez – WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament
- Solo Sikoa responds after the WarGames loss against the OG Bloodline
WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes kicks off this week’s edition of the WWE SmackDown
After a video package showing the highlights of this past Saturday from Survivor Series: WarGames, Corey Graves and Michael Cole announced that Bronson Reed, Tonga Loa, and Jimmy Uso are all now out of action indefinitely after suffering injuries in the WarGames match.
WWE SmackDown then went backstage where the New Bloodline of Solo Sikoa were making their way into the arena, attacking Apollo Crews and a few security members backstage. The frustration could be seen clearly after losing to the OG Bloodline of Roman Reigns this past Saturday at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames (2024).
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes who will be defending his WWE Undisputed Champion against his then friend — now enemy Kevin Owens, made his way to the ring as he kicked off the show. Rhodes began his conversation by speaking about the legacy of the legendary WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event PLE, taking place on December 14, 2024, at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island, N.Y. He then also mentioned how many legends this show has featured over the years.
Rhodes then mentioned his opponent from the show before “American Made” made their way to the ringside. Chad Gable walked down the ramp while trash-talking about the Minnesota fans pulling out some obvious heat from the crowd. Gable then spoke for the actions of Owens, blaming Rhodes for whatever happened — calling him a terrible friend in the process. He then also told Rhodes that he deserved it.
Rhodes then took Gable for a ride as mentioned in one of his previous gimmicks of Shorty G, saying you’re looking at Stardust. Things got a little heated between the two before Gable said to Cody that: “If I didn’t had this suit on right now, I’d whopped your ass.”
Cody then replied, “I know you’re here to talk to Nick Aldis about the trade window and all that but go ahead, go back there, talk to him about that. But also lace up your boots and ask him can you go one-on-one with me tonight.”
Ratings: 7 /10
Did you know:
- Corey Graves and Michael Cole on the commentary desk announced that Bronson Reed “due to Broken Foot”, Tonga Loa “due to Torn Bicep”, and Jimmy Uso “due to Broken Toe” are all now out of action indefinitely.
- Michael Cole on the commentary desk also announced that as the transfer window is now open, WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown, and WWE NXT “General Managers” are now working together to move WWE Superstars to other shows as they approach the WWE on Netflix starting from Jan 2026.
Backstage segment featuring Naomi and Bianca Belair
Both Naomi and Belair could be seen banged up from their WarGames match. Naomi was getting herself prepared for her match against Tiffany Stratton and Elektra Lopez in the WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament as Belair tried to cheer her up. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven then appeared on the scene, mocking Belair for losing the first-round match in the Tournament, and also that she still has not found out who attacked her friend Jade Cargill.
Belair then attacked Green and Niven before she got outnumbered by the duo.
Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Elektra Lopez “1st round match of the WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament”
The show then had a 1st round match of the WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament between three of the most promising superstars in the women’s division. The match started red hot as all three womens just went right after each other. Stratton looked tremendous in the early going of the match, showcasing her incredible gymnastics background.
Naomi also looked incredible with her game plan, delivering double stunners in the mid-match — before Stratton took her out with the stomp on the ring apron. Stratton then turned her attention to Lopez in the ring, where Lopez trapped her into a half crab before Naomi got involved.
All three women were in the game throughout the match before Candice LeRae got involved in the match distracting Naomi. But Naomi somehow got rid of her before Stratton took her out delivering her finisher The Prettiest Moonsault Ever, to win the match.
Results: Tiffany Stratton def Naomi and Elektra Lopez
Ratings: 6 /10
Did you know:
- Corey Graves and Michael Cole on the commentary desk announced that Jesse Ventura will be the special guest announcer at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.
- Elektra Lopez was the only woman coming out fresh in this match as both Naomi and Stratton competed in the Women’s WarGames match this past Saturday.
The Street Profits got attacked backstage on WWE SmackDown
The show then went backstage immediately unveiling that The Street Profits got attacked by an anonymous person or group. Gargano and Motor City Machine Guns then appeared on the with General Manager Nick Aldis giving #DIY the title shot later in the show.
Bianca Belair vs. Piper Niven
After getting into a backstage 2 vs 1 fight scene, Belair now got herself a one-on-one match against Piper Niven. Belair could be seen favoring her taped rips from the WarGames while Niven was leaving no opportunity to attack her on the bad spot. Green standing on ringside was also trying her best to help her friend overcome Belair.
Niven tried her best to use her weight to her advantage and attack on the already injured ribs of Belair. Belair using her quickness somehow took out Niven for a moment. Belair also delivers a pretty nice spear on Niven. Niven also delivers a powerbomb on the Belair driving her into the mat. Belair then took out both Nuven and Green in the ring — delivering the KOD on Niven onto the Green to pick up the win.
Along with the injured ribs from WarGames, the EST still got the win. Amazing Performance.
Results: Bianca Belair def Piper Niven
Ratings: 8 /10
Did you know:
- It is still not sure who attacked Jade Cargill, as WWE is still figuring this out.
New US Champion Shinsuke Nakamura came to the ring on WWE SmackDown
As soon as Nakamura made his way to the ring, LA Knight appeared as well asking for a rematch for his championship. Just as the two begin to talk, Andrade also appears on the scene. The New Bloodline of Solo Sikoa then made its presence felt in the arena as they attacked both Andrade and Knight in the ring. Nakamura threatened to unleash the mist on The New Bloodline then left the ring.
The New Bloodline then got the hostile takeover as they took out both Knight and Andrade as they tried to fight back. Solo Sikoa once again claimed to be the Tribal Chief.
Motor City Machine Guns (C) vs. #DIY – WWE Tag Team Championship
Since The Street Profits got taken out by an anonymous attacker earlier in the show, Johnny Gargano got his team involved in the championship picture. A video package was shown, Kevin Owens asking Michael Cole to come out of the arena to interview him in his car.
Ciampa started the match strong for his team, even telling Gargano how they should play the game. Tag Team seemed to be clearing missing between DIY as both members wanted to play the game differently. Ciampa accidentally missed a kick and delivered the boot to his own partner Gargano during the match also shouting “STUPID” at him.
The double-team offense from MCMG was clearly too much for Ciampa to handle who was just not tagging his partner into the match. The grit of Ciampa was not letting him fall to the MCMG, fighting 2 vs 1 for the last few minutes of the match. Gargano finally pulled the trigger as he delivered a low blow behind the referee’s back to help DIY win the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Results: #DIY def MCMG to become the New WWE Tag Team Champions
Ratings: 8 /10
Did you know:
- WWE finally decided to use the duo of Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa as a heel.
- Michael Cole left the announcement desk immediately after the match to interview Kevin Owens in a car in the parking.
Michael Cole interviews Kevin Owens
Cole reached the parking lot for the interview as Corey Graves carried the show alone for the moment. Owens told Cole about his problems with Rhodes and how he has been treated ever since he came back to the WWE. He also talked out his problems with Jey and Jimmy Uso from The Bloodline along with the Sami Zayn. He said he felt betrayed by his own friends with whom he was fighting alongside.
Gunther meeting with Nick Aldis backstage on WWE SmackDown
The show then featured a segment where the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther was seen alongside Nick Aldis before Carmelo Hayes appeared telling Aldis that he’s the one he needs on this show, or he would leave for WWE Raw on Netflix.
Chad Gable vs. WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes – Non-Title Match
Just a few nights before his match against Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes had his hands full against Chad Gable in this week’s main event of WWE SmackDown. Gable got the much-needed opening in this match thanks to Ivy Nile on the ringside as distracted Rhodes — helping Gable attack his left ankle. He then started to dominate the match as the Champion had nowhere to go. Gable also got a close count on the champion.
Rhodes finally got the match in control as he delivered an inverted superplex on Gable from the top turnbuckle. Cody finally built some momentum in the match that was mostly dominated by Gable. Rhodes somehow managed to hit Gable with the Cody Cutter before Gable’s buddies pulled him out of the ring. The referee Jessika Carr then sent the Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile backstage.
Gable then got Rhodes into the ankle lock submission as he removed his wrestling shoe as well. The champion in great pain and trouble managed to get out of the submission.
Cody then tried to hit Gable with the Cross Rhodes before Gable applied the ankle lock submission once again. But Cody made it to the rope to break. Rhodes hit Gable with the Cross Rhodes after two more attempts to win the match.
Kevin Owens then appeared in the ring as he attacked the injured Cody Rhodes in the middle of the ring. The officials then appeared in the ring to separate the two men before Rhodes started attacking Owens outside the ring as the show ended.
Results: Cody Rhodes def Chad Gable
Ratings: 7 /10
WWE SmackDown, Dec. 6: Results Highlights
1st round match of the WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament:
Tiffany Stratton def Naomi and Elektra Lopez
Singles Match:
Bianca Belair def Piper Niven
WWE Tag Team Championship:
#DIY def Motor City Machine Guns to become the New WWE Tag Team Champions
Singles Match:
Cody Rhodes def Chad Gable
My thoughts on this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown
After delivering an epic night at the WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, WWE looks to be all geared up for not only Saturday Night’s Main Event PLE but also for the debut of WWE Raw on Netflix in just a few more days. It seems to be like WWE had their full attention on the Tag Team division and building storyline for Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens ahead of their clash at the Saturday Night’s.
The heel turn of DIY was a total surprise but I think it will be a great decision moving forward as WWE now also has the epic duo of MCMG. The match between Gable and Rhodes was really good, and the brawl outside after the match really set the tone heading to Saturday Night’s.
I personally think the show was pretty good for the Blue Brand heading forward with the storylines.
Ratings for the show: 8 /10
