wrestling / TV Reports
Winfree’s WWE Smackdown Review 12.12.25
Image Credit: WWE
Loading...On the eve of John Cena’s final match, it’s another episode of WWE Smackdown. I was pretty down on last week’s episode, that 30 minute gap between matches is just unacceptable, but this one looks OK on paper. Damian Priest will reunite with Rhea Ripley to take on Aleister Black and Zelina, plus allegedly Tommaso Ciampa is getting his US title shot against Ilja Dragunov but there’s a non-trivial chance of shenanigans in that whole thing. WWE champion Cody Rhodes wants Drew McIntyre reinstated so they can finally blow off their rivalry. WWE women’s champion Jade Cargill is still spinning her wheels, tonight though it’s against Michin. Seriously, Jade needs something substantial to do real quick because this isn’t accomplishing anything. Giulia still seems to be aimed at Chelsea Green and the women’s US title. Solo Sikoa and his Multiplicity of Fragmented Trunks are going to be feuding with the Wyatt Sicks, the women’s tag team scene is still somewhat heating up as well. Still no word on Jacob Fatu, Randy Orton, or Santos Escobar for that matter. No direction for all of Sami’s misfit midcard group either, but that could easily get changed tonight. Mostly we’re looking at SNME tomorrow because Cena’s leaving, but after that it’s full steam ahead to the Royal Rumble where Bron Breakker wins it and everyone else gets to tag along. So let’s get to the action.
First a recap of the Drew and Cody stuff from last week. Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome us to Pennsylvania for the event.
Nick Aldis video from earlier today, he has been working to reinstate Drew McIntyre but Drew wont return any kind of communication. So this video is his invitation to show up and work things out.
Cody Rhodes walks in the back, he finds Aldis, Aldis has a letter from Drew’s lawyer saying Drew wont show up because of an unsafe working environment. Cody crumples that up and walks to the ring. Once there Cody gets a mic and asks what we want to talk about. Cody wants to talk about Drew McIntyre, Drew now says this is an unsafe working environment. Drew isn’t getting up for press junkets, isn’t working with fans, and that’s why he isn’t WWE champion. Drew’s only half in and that’s why Cody doesn’t fear him. In fact if Cody were the boss he’d fire Drew, but he’s not the boss so he’ll have to settle for whipping Drew’s ass. That brings out NXT champion Oba Femi, who will take on Cody tomorrow. Femi does his little walk to the ring then goes face to face with Cody. Cody gets a second mic and hands it to Femi. Femi loves the passion from Cody, but says he’s worried about the wrong man. Drew’s not here, but the NXT champion is in the building and he introduces himself to Cody. Femi says the future isn’t a distant thing, he’s right here knocking on Cody’s door to tell him the future is here and now. So in the spirit of hustle, loyalty, and respect Cody’s time is up and Femi’s time is now. Cody acknowledges that as a John Cena quote, but Femi is the man that took this title from Cena. Cody goes to leave but Femi stops him so they can stare down and hold up their titles. Decent little teaser for tomorrow, Femi got a little repetitive with his word choice there but not bad at all.
In the back we see Aleister Black and Zelina arrive, plus Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair arrive, as does Nia Jax and Lash Legend.
Ilja Dragunov walks in the back and finds Fraxiom, they say they’ll keep DIY out of the US title match tonight. Ilja appreciates that but no thank you, he promised to carry this title with honor. Ciampa has spit on everything the title stands for, so Ilja will punch him into his place alone. Ilja will teach that jackass that playing with a mad dragon will only get you burnt.
To the ring and Tommaso Ciampa heads to the ring alone, man it’s good to hear “No One Will Survive” again. Ciampa hits the ring as we head to break.
Post break here comes Ilja Dragunov.
Match #1 – US Title Match: (c) Ilja Dragunov vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Quick tie up, Ciampa pushes things into a corner and strikes at Ilja. Ilja fights back with chops and uppercuts then they trade elbows back and forth. Chop from Ilja, Ciampa returns it. Now they just slap the crap out of each other then Ilja hits a leaping boot. Back chops from Ciampa then Ilja with a thigh chop but Ciampa lands a dropkick to the bad knee of Ilja and a running knee for a 2 count. Corner knee from Ilja then a running boot to send Ciampa to the apron. Ilja boots Ciampa from the apron then follows him to the floor but misses a charge and wipes himself out into the ring steps. Ciampa then with a suplex that sends the bad leg of Ilja into the ring steps and we head to break.
We come back to Ilja trying a Konstantin Special but his knee gives out. A knee from Ciampa but Ilja with a leaping enziguri and both men are down. Some chops from Ilja as Ciampa is on his knees, then a knee to the chest. German suplex from Ilja, he holds on and does hit a second, mostly from his left leg which is just wonderful work. The crowd want a third, Ilja tries to oblige but has to settle for hammer and anvil elbows then Ciampa picks the ankle and they trade slaps while Ilja gets his knee back then Ilja with a lovely Ore Ga Taue for a near fall. No Ilja pulls himself up top but he’s slow and Ciampa climbs up with him. They fight for position then Ciampa drops and kicks the knee of Ilja so they fall to the apron together. Ciampa with an apron Air Raid Crash for a near fall of his own. Ciampa puts Ilja back up top and climbs with him, Ilja headbutts him down though then hits a lovely dropkick to the side of Ciampa’s head. Both men are down, Ilja’s leg selling is great, and we go picture in picture.
Some strikes from Ilja as he batters Ciampa to the apron then keeps clubbing at his head. Ilja pulls Ciampa up for a superplex but Ciampa shoves him down tweaking the knee. Ciampa grabs a half Boston Crab and sinks into the hold. Ilja tries to fight off the hold with kicks but Ciampa adjusts and gets it back on. Again Ilja turns and kicks at Ciampa, this time he breaks the contact then boots Ciampa in the ropes. Overhead throw from Ilja but his knee is still giving him problems. Both men pull themselves up and start trading chops. Ilja gets the better of things and unloads Kobashi chops in the corner as we come back. Ilja puts Ciampa up top, they trade slaps for a while, Ilja gets the better of things then climbs up with Ciampa. There’s some blood from somewhere, Ciampa hits the knee then connects an avalanche Air Raid Crash for a near fall. OK the blood is coming from Ilja’s nose, nothing too bad. Both men pull themselves up in opposite corners, Ilja is looking to fire up while Ciampa seems punch drunk. They start trading strikes again, just slapping the crap out of each other and Ciampa gets the better of things then hits a Dragon Screw and follows with a knee attempt but Ilja with a headbutt, Ciampa with a German suplex but Ilja bounces up and connects a Torpedo Moscow. Ilja pulls himself up, but Johnny Gargano has hit the apron and Candice LeRae yanks Ilja over the top rope and Ciampa follows with a running knee but Ilja kicks at 2. Ilja counters a Fairy Tale Ending with a Rana pin to get the 3 count.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Ilja Dragunov retained the title in 17:04
Rating: 3.5 stars
Thoughts: Really good stuff there, this wouldn’t have been out of place on a PPV or PLE. Ciampa getting some singles shine was overdue, DIY is fine but feels a little stagnant so trying Ciampa out in this role is a good call. Both men beat the crap out of each other, told a good story of Ilja overcoming the knee issues, and then escaping the cheating from the heels. Ilja is kind of carrying the in ring stuff for Smackdown still.
Post match Johnny and Ciampa attack Ilja but Carmelo Hayes runs down to attack Ciampa and Johnny. Superkick to Ciampa then a springboard clothesline to Johnny and DIY scamper. Hayes then offers a hand to Ilja to help him up.
In the back Cathy talks with Je’Von Evans. Evans is giddy about tomorrow, but here comes Miz to whine about not being on the show tomorrow. Evans brings up how Uncle Miz failed to reach the Cena final, Miz objects to being called old and eventually we get a match between those two for later.
Wyatt Sicks video. Uncle Howdy says they’re here then we head to break.
Post break here come the Wyatt Sicks and a replay of the brawl last week. Maybe Solo using a Bo-lieve line would have gone over if 50% of the audience hadn’t been born after that gimmick? Anyway Howdy gets a mic. He says Solo made a lot of claims last week, but who is he to pass judgement? Solo can’t look within himself but they do. The reality is Solo’s real family turned their backs on him, because Solo is just a user and abuser. Solo is just out of his mind, claiming that his Bloodline B-Team runs Smackdown is silly. Rip the scales from your eyes, the Wyatts have the tag titles so Solo if you want them come and get them. That does in fact get Solo’s music to play but we get a pre-recorded message from Solo so he could have enough takes to not sound like a buffoon. Solo says he still calls the shots. Next time we’re doing things his way, next week they’re coming for the titles so be ready for war. Oh, and if Howdy wants to keep his family safe just hand over the belts, because if not the only thing you can do is run. These attempts at mind games just aren’t working on either the Wyatts or the fans.
In the back Charlotte Flair helps hype up Alexa Bliss for her match tonight. Rhea Ripley wanders over and says she and Iyo get the next shot at the gold, Bliss respects that team but she and Charlotte wont step aside for anyone. Bliss’s match with Lash Legend will be up after this break.
Post break we get some celebrities giving Cena his flowers.
Sol Ruca is in the crowd, as is Bayley. Commentary runs down some of the SNME card.
Alexa Bliss heads to the ring with Charlotte in tow, Lash Legend and Nia Jax follow.
Match #2: Alexa Bliss w/ Charlotte Flair vs. Lash Legend w/ Nia Jax
25 minutes between matches, not good. Bliss avoids a pump kick and jumps on Lash’s back for a bit but Lash dislodges her. They kind of mess up a satellite head scissors, Lash goes out of the ring anyway then catches a jumping Bliss and hits a bit of a Dominator onto the barricade. Back into the ring Lash starts attacking the arm of Bliss then lands a clothesline for a 2 count. Splash from Lash gets another 2 count. Bliss lands a kick then jumps off the second rope but Lash catches her again, this time though Bliss is able to swing around and hit a DDT. Striking combination from Bliss but she runs into an elbow that floors her. Bliss snaps Lash over the top rope, Lash distracts the ref so Jax trips Bliss then Charlotte superkicks Jax. Lash with a pump kick to Charlotte but back in the ring Bliss tries a satellite DDT only for Bliss to turn it into the Lash Extension and win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Lash Legend won in 3:30
Rating: 1.5 stars
Thoughts: Lash on offense is fine but she really still lacks connective tissue in her work and Bliss could only do so much in that respect. There’s a ton of physical ability with Lash but she’s still very much a programmed entity instead of acting on her own agency out there.
In the back Black and Zelina walk, Cathy wants a word with them and Zelina says Damian’s only doing this because he doesn’t like himself. Phoning a friend wont make him whole. Black adds that Priest is just letting Rhea get dragged to hell with him.
We get a highlight of some NXT stuff around Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater and a reminder that in January Smackdown is going back to 3 hours. That’s. . . well it’s a choice.
Miz heads to the ring, doing his stupid twirl and walk because nothing sells your dissatisfaction and anger like doing the same overly choreographed thing over and over again. His match with Evans will be up after this break.
We come back to Miz in the ring and here comes the bouncy boy, Je’Von Evans.
Match #3: Je’Von Evans vs. Miz
They tie up, Miz grabs a side headlock then hits a shoulder block. Another tie up, Miz gets put in the corner though before shoving Evans down. Evans kips up and hits a Monkey Flip then a high dropkick. Bouncing hurricanrana sends Miz out of the ring then Evans slides after him but Miz lands a knee to the body. Evans jumps to the apron and hits a moonsault from there. Miz boots Evans and rams him into the ring post. Next Miz snaps back on the arm of Evans and we head to break.
We come back to Miz working a Crippler Crossface but Evans fights free and lands chops. Miz kicks the arm but Evans with a leaping elbow. Hook kick from Evans then a Red Dot kick for a 2 count. Evans climbs up top, lands on his feet after a missed moonsault but Miz with a Proto Bomb, he tries the 5 Knuckle Shuffle and it connects. Cole notes that Miz has stolen pretty much everything in his career as Evans avoids an Attitude Adjustment then sends Miz out of the ring and follows with a dive. Back in the ring Miz avoids an OG Cutter but Evans counters a Skull Crushing Finale and they trade pin attempts before Evans hits an OG Cutter to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Je’Von Evans won in 8:07
Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: Solid introduction to Evans if you’re not familiar with either his indy work or his NXT time. Miz is settling into this phase of his career pretty decently.
In the back Nia Jax and Lash Legend try to bully Rhea Ripley, Rhea is of course not bothered or remotely intimidated because she actually generates numbers. Damian Priest stops by briefly to say hi before Jade Cargill walks by and stares down Rhea briefly then we head to break.
Post break Michin walks and talks, saying Jade has been picking on everyone since winning the title. Well bullies just piss Michin off and she’s going to give Jade everything. Jade jumps Michin at gorilla and beats her down a bit then gets her music set and walks to the ring herself, she is not dressed in wrestling gear. Once she gets to the ring Jade gets a mic and tells everyone to stop trying her, you better know your place. Anyone can get stepped up and stepped on because she’s that- but Michin’s music cuts her off. Michin, wielding a kendo stick, runs down and lays into Jade with it. A few more kendo stick shots from Michin then she goes for a table but Jade kills her with a pump kick. Jade sends Michin into the ring then puts the table back under the ring for heat. Michin with some punches but Jade spikes her with a chokeslam to stand tall. Jade heads out.
Next another hype package for Cena’s final match then commentary runs down the SNME card.
Aleister Black and Zelina head to the ring and we head to break.
Post break Priest and Rhea get their entrances.
Match #4 – Mixed Tag Team Match: Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley vs. Aleister Black and Zelina
23:30 between matches. Black and Zelina attack at the bell and Black settles into working Priest. They take turns with corner work then Priest clotheslines Black out of the ring. Rhea wants in, Zelina jumps on Priest’s back but that’s just funny and Rhea gets tagged in. Zelina slaps Rhea then runs away from her outside the ring. Eventually they make contact in the ring and Rhea lays in clotheslines but Zelina then tries a satellite DDT, Rhea stalls that out though. flurry from Rhea and that sends us picture in picture.
Some corner work from Rhea but Zelina avoids her charge and Rhea posts herself. Zelina starts going for the arm of Rhea. Bit of a kimura from Zelina, the grip looks wrong so it’s a glorified hammerlock really. Rhea puts Zelina on the top rope but Zelina grabs a hanging armbar for a few seconds. Zelina with a Meteora for a 2 count. Rhea fights back, and they screw up a floating headscissors so Zelina just goes for a DDT instead. They try the spot again, this time Rhea catches her and tosses her down. I’m not sure that spot was worth repeating. Both women tag out, only one needed to technically, and Priest unloads with punches then a Flatliner. Falcon Arrow from Priest gets a 2 count. Zelina jumps on Priest again, that distraction lets Black hit a knee strike then a bridging German suplex for a 2 count. Black with a combination of strikes, Priest boots him then Rhea with a blind tag. Zelina shoves Rhea into the ring post, then Black throws Zelina around into Priest and Rhea. Black with a knee to Priest, Priest and Rhea are on the floor then Black and Zelina with stereo moonsaults onto them. Zelina jumps at Rhea, Rhea catches her then tries Riptide but Zelina screws up the counter then just hits a Code Red anyway for a near fall. Zelina and Rhea are just not on the same page here. Some strikes from Zelina then Rhea gets her into an Electric Chair and drops her face first but Black breaks up the pin. Black and Rhea stare down but Black just smiles then Rhea headbutts him. Zelina rolls up Rhea for 2, Rhea and Priest then hit stereo Razor’s Edges. Rhea then ends things with a Riptide.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley won in 9:45
Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: Decent little match, kind of a shame that Black and Zelina couldn’t keep up the momentum they’d built because I was hoping they could get out of the mid card.
Priest and Rhea celebrate to end the episode.
