SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
DECEMBER 19, 2025 (Taped 12/15)
HERSHEY, PA. AT GIANT CENTER
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by ProWrestling.net’s Jake Barnett review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
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OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
[HOUR ONE]
-A five minute video recap aired of John Cena’s retirement match.
-Joe Tessitore introduced the show with Wade Barrett at his side. Tessitore said the issues with Cody and Drew McIntyre spilled to Drew’s home which they’d show later.
-They cut to Cody Rhodes leaving his bus with a beverage cup in hand. Then they showed Solo Sikoa and the MFTs arriving.
-Damien Priest made his entrance. They aired a clip of Rhea Ripley pinning Zelina Vega in their mixed tag match last week. Priest said they were forced to say goodbye to Cena. He said he thinks he can speak for so many when he says Cena inspired so many and he is the greatest of all-time. “We say thank you Cena,” he said. Fans chanted it. He said they handled business last week and now they can look ahead to 2026. Zelina Vega laughed and interrupted on the stage.
Zelina called Priest “such a hypocrite.” She said getting Ripley to fight his battles doesn’t make him a real man. “News flash, you didn’t even get the pin,” she said. She said Aleister Black broke him and he can’t come to terms with it. She pointed to the stage as Black’s music played, but Black attacked Priest from behind. Priest tried to fight back, but Black overwhelmed him and knocked him to the floor. Priest caught him by his throat and chokeslammed against the ring apron.
Priest pulled a table out from under the ring and set it up. Black recovered and bashed Priest across his back with a chair and then shoved him into the ringpost. Black put Priest on a table and then landed double-knees and drove him through the table. Black clutched his knee in pain as Vega gloated in the face of Priest. WWE officials ran out to check on Priest as Black and Zelina walked to the back.
-Byron Saxton interviewed Lash Legend and Nia Jax who were wearing Christman-themed wrestling outfits. They said they’re going to eliminate the Kabuki Warriors and then go after the tag titles. Saxton said they might not be first in line. Jax cut him off and said it doesn’t matter.
-The Kabuki Warriors made their entrance. [c]
-They showed Priest backstage being escorted to medical. Black attacked him and threw him into rolling crates and other apparatus backstage. Priest landed a Black Mass spin kick to Priest who went down and looked out of it.
(1) THE KABUKI WARRIORS (Asuka & Kairi Sane) vs. LASH LEGEND & NIA JAX
Jax and Legend made their entrance. They aired a clip of Lash beating Alexa Bliss last week in what Barrett called “the biggest singles win of her career” The bell rang 22 minutes into the hour.
Asuka and Kairi dropkicked Jax out of the ring. Asuka then used a hip attack to knock Lash to the floor. Kairi then leaped off the top rope onto both awaiting heels. They cut to a break at 4:00. [c]
Lash and Jax lifted Kairi for a suplex, but Kairi turned it into a double DDT. Asuka excitedly encouraged a tag and then received it. She landed a dropkick on both Lash and Jax. A few minutes later, Asuka tried to powerbomb Jax off the second rope. Kairi kicked Jax which send Jax to the mat. Lash threw Asuka into the ringside steps. Kair then leaped onto Lash at ringside. Kairi climbed to the top rope, but Jax caught her mid-air and chokeslammed her. She then landed an Annihilator for the win.
WINNERS: Jax & Lash in 13:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: The crowd wasn’t invested in a particular outcome which worked against the energy of the match.)
-Charlotte Flair and Bliss ran out and attacked Lash and Jax. Jax pulled Lash to ringside as Asuka and Kairi tried to recover at ringside. Alexa and Charlotte held up their tag belts at their music played.
-Jackie Redmond was about to interview Giulia when Kiana James she must address her first. Redmond said she doesn’t normally work on Smackdown and didn’t know the rules. Giulia said she will take on Alba Fyre and then told Chelsea Green that time is running out.
-Tessitore said they’d show the incident a McIntyre’s home next. [c]
-Tessitore plugged the AAA PLE event tomorrow night on YouTube. Then they went to Barrett and Tessitore on camera to throw to the Drew-Cody segment.
-A video aired of Nick Aldis accompanied by three police officers meeting with Drew McIntyre. He said he wanted everything documented. He said out respect and in the interest of good faith, he is visiting him, but given his actions last week, he’s not sure why he went through with it. He said if Cody wants him reinstated, they all want him reinstated. He said he’s an integral part of Smackdown, so he had a proposal and he’d like the terms. He said he’d get a match with Cody with the title on the line, but to show officials that he is repented, he’d like him to apologize to the referee he attacked. He said he’s lucky he’s not intensive care. He said there’s also a hefty fine, but his payday from Survivor Series should cover that. He told him to take it or leave it.
Drew contemplated his match for the WWE Title and said he wants it more than anything. He then said, “No.” He said it’s what Cody wants and he has to be in an unsafe working environment. Aldis said instead of another monologue about getting screwed, how about letting him know what he wants. Drew said he wants to pick the stipulation since he clearly wants to protect his golden boy. Drew told Aldis to go back to Stamford, Conn. and draw up some legal documents that says Cody cannot lay a finger on him before the WWE Title match or he will be stripped of the title. Aldis said he doesn’t like it, but it’s a deal. Drew shook hands and then let out a sinister laugh. He asked how long it’d take to draw them up. Aldis said by the end of the day.
Drew got a text which included a video of Cody showing up at his house. Drew came out to his front yard and yelled, “You seriously are showing up at my damn property!” They got into a fight which was shot cinematically with multiple camera angles. Cody yelled that Drew asked for it and yelled, “Merry Christmas, asshole!” Police separated them.
-Saxton asked Aldis for his thoughts. Aldis said everything is out of control. He said Smackdown is still without one of its biggest stars. He said what Cody did it out of line, but the incident wasn’t at a WWE event so it’s up to local authorities how it’s handled. He said Drew sent in some comments. Miz interrupted and said he wanted a match with “him.” Aldis asked if he meant Carmelo Hayes. Miz yelled that’s not who. Aldis suggested he “just say his name.” He said he can have a match against Joe Hendry last week. R-Truth sang Hendry’s song, but called him “Joe Pecci.” He told Aldis that Miz is “just mad because I saw your British balls.”
-Giulia made her entrance with Kiana. [c]
(2) GIULIA (w/Kiana James) vs. ALBA FYRE (w/Chelsea Green)
When Green was screeching at ringside, Barrett and Tessitore bemoaned the pain in their ears. Gulia ended up finishing Fyre with a Fisherman’s Buster. She made the cover and eyed Green.
WINNER: Giulia in 4:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Another match without much fan investment in an outcome, so it was just a series of moves.)
[HOUR TWO]
[c]
-A vignette aired with The Wyatt Sicks with distorted audio. Uncle Howdy talked about truth lying beneath the surface and said the image they portray will send Solo Sikoa’s family into a whole new world of adversity and abandonment with nowhere to run. He said Solo will being his journey that will force him and his family to surrender. He then laughed uproariously.
-Cody Rhodes made his ring entrance. Clips aired of Cody and Oba Femi fending off a Drew attack at SNME last weekend. Cody saluted the crowd. Cody talked about what happened at Drew’s home. He said Drew has said WWE is an unsafe working environment. He said Drew is surrounded by second-generation wrestlers, MMA stars, NIL college athletes, so what would be a safe environment for him. “Staples?” he asked.
Aldis stepped out and Cody doesn’t seem to grasp the trouble he got himself and the company into. He said Cody made Drew’s point for him, and now he has to make a bad deal because he made him look like a liar. He said Cody is a friend and QB1, but he’s not above the law. He said Cody should have trusted him “to get this thing over the finish line.” He said when Drew comes back, he pays his fine and apologizes to the ref, he can’t lay a finger on Drew or he’d have to strip him of the WWE Title.
Cody guaranteed Aldis he won’t touch Drew, but in the spirit of all those demands, he wanted to ask him something. He told Aldis he seems to have forgotten who is talking to. He said he’s the one who “sent a Tweet that changed the game.” He said he came back and won the Royal Rumble twice. He said he’s the reigning King of the Ring and he unseated Roman Reigns and even defeated Cena to regain the title. “I’m QB1, dammit!” he said. He said he is The Law. He said as long as he holds the WWE Title, he doesn’t work for him, but rather he works for the fans. He said, “You, my friend, work for me.” He dropped the mic and left. Barrett said Cody is one bad dude.
-Ilja Dragunov came up to Carmelo Hayes and thanked him for what he did for him last week. Hayes said Tomasso Ciampa screwed him, so he had to take it back in blood. He said Johnny Gargano just happened to be collateral. Dragunov said they fight DIY tonight and they will put them down. Fraxiom walked up and wished them luck and told them to save some for them. Axiom said they stole his mask and they have to pay.Hayes said they got their own backs and they don’t miss. Nathan Frazer said they’ll be there anyway. Dragunov said Ciampa isn’t just a jackass anymore, he’s also his prey.
-DIY made their entrance. [c]
-A graphic noted that Cena wrestled 726 TV matches.
(3) DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa w/Candice LeRare) vs. ILJA DRAGUNOV & CARMELO HAYES
The bell rang 21 minutes into the hour. Dragunov went on the offense early. When Dragunov climbed to the top rope, Gargano koncked him off balance. Ciampa landed a running knee to send Dragunov off the ring apron onto the ringside table. They cut to a double-box break at 2:00. [c/db]
At 9:00, Gargano and Ciampa set up Meet in the Middle on Hayes, but Dragunov intervened. Dragunov landed an H-Bomb. Hayes landed a leaping letdrop to the back of CIampa’s neck for a three count.
WINNERS: Hayes & Dragunov in 10:00.
-Redmond interviewed Bliss and Charlotte backstage. She said she and Charlotte will get past Lash & Jax and then face whoever the tag champs are. Jade Cargill walked up. Charlotte side-eyed her and left. Redmond asked Jade about attacking Michin last week. She said she’s big on charity so she’s going to give her the spotlight, and then knock her lights out. SHe asked if they were done. Michin jumped Jade from behind with a cane. WWE officials ran to the scene and dragged Michin away. [c]
-Barrett plugged next week Dragunov would defend his title again. Also, Miz vs. Joe Hendry. Also, Drew returns to Smackdown.
-Solo said the Wyatt Sicks crossed a line when he brought his family into it. He vowed to humiliate and embarrass them in front of the world. He said whether they like it or not, he’s got the whole world in his hands. He sang Bray Wyatt’s song with a smug smile before heading to the ring. Barrett said that’s one way to get under the skin of the Wyatts. [c]
(4) DEXTER LUMIS & JOE GACY (w/Uncle Howdy, Erik Rowan, Nikki) vs. J.C. MATEO & TONGA LOA w/Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga) – WWE Tag Team Title match
The bell rang 47 minutes into the hour. Mateo lifted Dexter upside down at ringside and rammed him into the ringpost and then dropped him to the floor. Solo said, “That’s what I’m talking about.” He applauded as they cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Gacy eventually got a hot-tag and scored a near fall on Mateo after a Saito suplex. Mateo came back with a side suplex for a near fall. Gacy fired back with two lariats. He leaped over the top rope and flipped onto Mateo and Tonga. He threw Mateo back into the ring, then tagged in Lumis. Lumis suplexed Mateo into Gacy’s arms for a powerbomb. Lumis then landed a top rope splash. Tonga broke up the cover at 10:00. Talla kicked Gacy at ringside as the ref was distracted. Rowen attacked Talla. Solo and Tonga joined in. Uncle Howdy then showed up and went after Solo. A brawl broke out with everyone and the ref called for a no contest.
WINNERS: No contest in 11:00 to the Wyatt Sicks retained the titles.
-Afterward, Talla leaped off the top rope with a crossbody onto a crowd in the ring. Rowan clotheslined Talla over the top rope. Nikki asked Rowan to toss her onto Talla at ringside. Rowan did. Solo then gave Rowan a Samoan Spike. Uncle Howdy set up a Sister Abigail on Solo. The MFTs made the save and the brawl continued as the show ended.
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by ProWrestling.net’s Jake Barnett review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
LINK TO BE A CALLER: https://streamyard.com/5c7w2y6zbk
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).
OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
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