The John Report: WWE SmackDown 12/12/25 Review

This is WWE SmackDown with Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley facing Aleister Black & Zelina, plus Ilja Dragunov against Tommaso Ciampa for the US Title, and more.

The WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event special is on December 13th, featuring John Cena’s final WWE match against Gunther. Cena isn’t on this show, but he will be talked about a lot, with good reason. Cena has confirmed that his match will main event SNME, as it should.

From the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, this is SmackDown for episode #1373. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

The opening video showed highlights from Cody Rhodes attacking Drew McIntyre. Cody called out Drew McIntyre and wanting his suspension lifted.

The commentary team of Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcomed us to the show. Mark Nash was the ring announcer.

A video was shown of SmackDown GM Nick Aldis inviting Drew McIntyre back to SmackDown. Nick said Drew wasn’t returning his calls or texts.

Cody Rhodes was shown walking backstage in a purple suit. GM Aldis approached Cody with a paper saying that Drew is suing about an unsafe working environment. Aldis said he would personally go to Drew’s house to get this sorted out. Cody grabbed the paper, crumpled it up and tossed it down.

Let’s Hear from Cody Rhodes

The purple suit wearing Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance for the show opening promo. Cody faces the great NXT Champion Oba Femi at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Cody asked Wilkes-Barre, PA, what do you wanna talk about? Cody said let’s talk about Drew McIntyre. Cody said that Drew claimed this is an unsafe working environment. Cody said he nearly snatched him bald, and now Drew claims it’s unsafe. Cody talked about how Drew isn’t up early doing press and claimed that Drew is only half-in, and that’s why he doesn’t sweat him. Cody said if he were Drew’s boss, he would fire him. Cody said he can’t fire Drew, but he can whoop Drew’s ass.

The NXT Champion Oba Femi made his entrance, and the fans did a good job of doing the “Whoop” sounds during his entrance. I like Oba’s song and his entrance. He is also a guy who I think will be a main event performer on the main roster sooner than a lot of people think. Femi is 27 and only been wrestling for about three years.

Femi said that he sees Cody Rhodes is all fired up tonight, but he is worried about the wrong man. Femi said that Cody is worried about Drew, but Drew is not here. Femi said that the NXT Champion is in the building tonight. Femi introduced himself, saying he is The Ruler, The Destroyer, The Bringer of War, and the mountain you cannot climb or conquer. Femi reminded Cody they are facing off at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Femi said he is knocking on Cody’s front door to tell him the future is now, the future is here, and the now is Femi. Oba said that in the spirit of hustle, loyalty, and respect, Cody’s time is up, and Oba’s time is now.

Cody said that he’s glad that Oba looks up to John Cena like Cody does. Cody said that he’s the man who beat John Cena for this championship right here. Femi held up his NXT Title, Rhodes held up his WWE Title, and they stared.

Analysis: Good job by Oba Femi in that promo. He has improved a lot as a talker in the last year. Cody was focused on Drew a lot in his promo, so it was a smart move to have Femi speak up to tell Cody not to look past him as a threat. I would be surprised if Oba Femi beats Cody Rhodes at SNME, but it should be a competitive match that will be 15-20 minutes in length, with Femi coming close to winning a few times. If Femi were a heel, then I’d say that maybe Drew McIntyre could show up to help him win, but Femi is a face like Cody, so I think Cody winning is more likely.

There was some pre-show walking shown of Aleister Black with Zelina, Damian Priest with Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, Lash Legend and Nia Jax.

The US Champion Ilja Dragunov was backstage. Nathan Frazer and Axiom told Ilja that if #DIY tries anything out there, then they will have Ilja’s back. Ilja said thank you, but no thank you. Ilja said he wants to carry the US Title with honor. Ilja said that Ciampa has spat on everything that this title means in the last couple of weeks. Ilja said that he, the greatest of all time, John Cena, started the open challenge, and he never backed down from a fight. Ilja said that Ciampa will pay.

Tommaso Ciampa made his entrance for the US Title match.

(Commercial)

A commercial aired for the Royal Rumble on January 31st in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There’s a high demand for tickets. That might be the last year of a one-night Rumble PLE because I think it will go to two nights in 2027.

United States Championship: Ilja Dragunov vs. Tommaso Ciampa

A replay was shown of last week when Carmelo Hayes faced Ilja Dragunov and Ciampa interfered to cost Melo the match. When Dragunov saw it on the video board, he was angry.

Ciampa and Ilja exchanged forearms. That led to an exchange of palm strikes. Ilja hit a jumping kick to the head. Ilja hit a few chops. Ciampa hit a dropkick to the right knee that has a big brace on it. Ciampa hit a knee smash. Ilja came back with a knee of his own and a running kick. Ilja kicked Ciampa off the apron to the floor. Ilja ran at Ciampa on the floor, Ciampa avoided it and Ilja hit the steel steps. Ciampa suplexed Ilja so his knee hit the steel steps. Ouch. Ciampa did a little self-applause after that. The show went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Ciampa rammed Ilja’s right knee into the mat. Ciampa trapped the right knee against the ropes and hit a knee drop on the right knee. Ciampa ducked a jumping kick by Ilja. Ciampa wrenched on the knee some more.

The match continued with Ilja trying to spin around the ropes, but his knee pain caused him to crumble. Ciampa hit a knee smash and Ilja hit a jumping enziguri kick. Ilja got back into it with a German Suplex. Ilja hit another German Suplex while the fans chanted “one more time” again. Ilja elbowed Ciampa on the side of the head. Ciampa hit some slaps, but Ilja hit a belly-to-back slam like a spinebuster for a two count. Ilja went up top, Ciampa kicked Ilja in the right leg, and Ilja was knocked down to the apron. Ciampa hit an Air Raid Crash on the ring apron for a two count. Ilja staggered Ciampa by the ropes and Ilja went up top for a missile dropkick. Ilja was too hurt to cover. They went on another break for some fans, as the action continued for us on Netflix. Ilja went for a superplex, but Ciampa shoved Ilja down. Ciampa applied the half crab submission on the right knee, Ilja hit some up kicks and Ciampa locked in the submission again. Ilja kicked Ciampa into the ropes. Ilja hit a boot to the face, followed by a suplex. Ilja hit some chops to Ciampa’s chest.

They battled by the turnbuckle as Ilja hit some strikes and a hard slap to the side of the face. Ciampa hit the bad knee and Ciampa hit the Air Raid Crash off the middle turnbuckle to the mat. Ilja had a bloody nose or lip as the fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Ilja and Ciampa exchanged palm strikes in the middle of the ring. Ciampa was in control with a dragon screw leg whip. Ciampa charged, but Ilja hit a headbutt to the chest. Ciampa hit a German Suplex, Ilja popped right up and Ilja hit a Torpedo Moscow headbutt to knock Ciampa down. Johnny Gargano distracted the referee, Candice LeRae did a necksnap on Ilja (the ref never saw it), and Ciampa hit a knee smash for two. Ilja countered Ciampa and sat on top for the pinfall win after 18 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Ilja Dragunov

Analysis: ****1/4 Great match by two talented veterans. One of the better TV matches of the year. I don’t keep track of my star ratings, but I don’t go that high that often for TV matches, mostly because they don’t get nearly 20 minutes like this match. It was another four-star level match by Dragunov, who did an incredible job of selling the right knee injury throughout the match. There are many wrestlers in today’s wrestling world who could learn from Ilja and his ability to sell moves in a match. Doing moves is cool, but selling is what matters the most. Ilja is one of the best at it, along with Sami Zayn. Ciampa was fantastic as the aggressive heel targeting the knee throughout the match. The nearfall after LeRae’s cheap attack was perfect, and it got a big reaction. I’m glad Ilja kept the title.

After the match, #DIY’s Gargano and Ciampa attacked Dragunov. Carmelo made the save, he knocked Ciampa out of the ring, and Melo hit a springboard clothesline on Gargano. The fans chanted “Melo” for Hayes. Melo picked up Ilja and showed him support.

Analysis: This could lead to Dragunov against Melo again and Melo winning the US Title. I would do it on the first SmackDown of 2026.

A clip aired of John Cena’s interview with Tom Rinaldi that is on WWE’s YouTube channel. Cena said that he has already signed on as an Ambassador to WWE for the next five years, and he wants to do it longer than that. Cena said that he wants to tell people to watch this and mentor talent. Cena said he’s looking forward to that.

Je’Von Evans was interviewed by Cathy Kelley about Evans having a match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The Miz complained about Evans being on the SNME card instead of him. Miz correctly pointed out that Evans wasn’t even alive when John Cena debuted, which is true. Evans called him “Unc” and Miz said he’s not his Unc. Evans pointed out that Miz had two chances in the Last Time Is Now Tournament and lost. Miz claimed he wrestles on a level that Evans doesn’t know about. Miz and Evans exchanged words to set up a match. Miz said he’d talk to Nick Aldis to set it up, and Evans agreed. Miz called him “nephew” to end it.

Analysis: A simple way to set up a match. The Miz fits perfectly in the role of an angry veteran who doesn’t like the younger talent like Evans.

The Wyatt Sicks were shown, and Uncle Howdy said, “We’re here.”

The WrestleMania 42 commercial featuring the women’s division was shown.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from The Wyatt Sicks

The Wyatt Sicks group of Uncle Howdy (Bo Dallas), WWE Tag Team Champions Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, and Nikki Cross made their entrance. A clip aired of last week when The Wyatt Sicks brawled with Solo Sikoa’s MFT group.

Uncle Howdy sat in the ring on a rocking chair. Howdy said that Solo Sikoa may not have the power to look within himself, but they do. Howdy said that the reality is that Solo’s real family has all turned their back on him. Howdy said that Solo uses and abuses those he claims to love. Howdy told Solo he is disillusioned, and he’s out of mind, saying that the MFTs run SmackDown. Howdy said that the MFTs run nothing while The Wyatt Sicks have these WWE Tag Team Titles. Howdy said if Solo and his family tree want these titles, come and get them.

Solo Sikoa appeared backstage in a darkened room with the MFTs. Solo said did you think they would show up on their terms? Solo said it doesn’t work like that. Solo said he’s calling the shots. Solo told them they are going to do things his way. Solo said that next week, they were coming for the Tag Team Titles. Solo said if you don’t give them the Tag Team Titles, then all you can do is run.

Analysis: The promos were okay. I wouldn’t say it was great. Howdy’s promo was a bit bland. The fans didn’t really react to much of it. It’s not a hot feud or anything like that, but they are two stables on SmackDown with five members each, so I get why they are feuding. SmackDown has other tag teams that are better than these teams, yet none of those teams are really in the spotlight, which is a bit disappointing.

Alexa Bliss was backstage with Charlotte Flair, who tried to get Bliss ready for her match. Flair mentioned going after the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Rhea Ripley walked in, saying she and Iyo Sky are going after the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Bliss said they are not stepping aside for anybody tonight. Ripley wished Bliss good luck, and Bliss wished the same for Rhea, who left. Flair told Bliss she didn’t need luck.

(Commercial)

A video aired about John Cena with celebrities paying tribute to him. They showed NFL legends like Tom Brady, Eli Manning, WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg, another NFL legend, Peyton Manning, singer Jelly Roll, and talk show host Jimmy Fallon as well.

They showed Bayley at ringside in a John Cena shirt. She’s in action against Sol Ruca at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Alexa Bliss (w/Charlotte Flair) vs. Lash Legend (w/Nia Jax)

Lash is one of the tallest women in WWE and Bliss is one of the shortest, so Lash had a big size advantage. Bliss gave Lash a headscissors out of the ring. Bliss jumped onto Lash, who slammed Bliss onto the barricade. Lash clotheslined Bliss for a two count. Lash hit a jumping splash on Bliss for two. Bliss jumped onto Lash again, Lash caught Bliss and Bliss hit a DDT counter. Bliss worked over Lash with punches and a dropkick. Bliss bounced off the ropes, but Lash hit a forearm smash to knock Bliss down. Bliss did a necksnap across the top and Jax tripped up Bliss on the apron. The ref ever saw it. Flair kicked Jax on the floor. Lash hit a pump kick on Flair. Bliss went for a DDT, but Lash caught her and Lash hit the Lash Extension, where she slams Bliss off her back into the mat. Lash covered for the pinfall win in about 4 minutes. Cole put it over as a huge win for Lash since Bliss is a 5-time Women’s Champion.

Winner by pinfall: Lash Legend

Analysis: ** A dominant win for Lash Legend. Nia Jax did do the cheap shot on Alexa Bliss, but that’s not why Lash won. Lash won because of her power.

Aleister Black and Zelina were interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Zelina said it didn’t have to come down to this. Black said if Priest wants to drag a friend to hell with him, then so be it.

The announcers mentioned that SmackDown on January 2nd will go back to 3 hours. That’s in Buffalo, New York.

Analysis: We knew that was coming. Now it’s officially official. I prefer two hours. I know three hours will mean more people on the show and perhaps longer matches, but I think two hours is enough.

There was a video showing high-flying action highlights of Je’Von Evans and TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater. They are in action at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

The Miz made his entrance and pointed out a sign that said “The Miz is underrated,” except the fan spelled it “underated,” which is wrong. Good effort, I guess.

(Commercial)

Je’Von Evans vs. The Miz

There’s a big age difference here between 21-year-old Evans and 45-year-old Miz. One of them is the same age as me. The other one was born after I started writing about wrestling. I’ll leave it at that.

Miz shoved Evans down and then jumped in the air to show he can get bouncy…sort of. Miz shoved Evans down. Evans came back with a dropkick. Evans got bouncy off the ropes with a hurricanrana to send Miz out of the ring. Evans tried an attack on the floor, Miz avoided it and hit a knee to the ribs. Evans hit a springboard moonsault onto Miz on the floor. Evans went on the apron and Miz kicked Evans. Miz sent Evans into the ring post. Miz pulled on Evans’ left arm against the ropes. They went on a break, and I’ll take a break as well. The Miz was in full control.

It was Miz in control as he worked over the left arm, but Evans got out of it. Evans tried to fight back with punches, so Miz kicked Evans in the left arm. Evans hit a leaping forearm, a superkick and a bouncy jumping kick for two. Evans went up top, jumped off with the moonsault, Miz avoided it, and Evans landed on his feet. Miz hit a spinning slam like John Cena and did the “You Can’t See Me” hand gesture followed by a fist drop. Miz went for the AA, but Evans landed on his feet and sent Miz out of the ring. Evans hit an amazing dive over the top onto Miz on the floor. Cole mentioned Miz has no singles wins in 2025. Miz went for a Skull Crushing Finale, Evans got out of it for a two count, Miz rolled up Evans and grabbed the tights for two. Evans ducked a clothesline and jumped off the top with an OG Cutter for the pinfall win after 9 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Je’Von Evans

Analysis: *** A pretty good match with the Young OG Evans impressing again as usual. The Miz didn’t win a singles match all year, so of course, he lost again here. Putting over Evans in a clean way is a great sign for his future as a potential major star on the main roster. I don’t think WWE should wait a few years to put Evans on the main roster. It should happen next year. That guy is ready.

Rhea Ripley was shown getting ready backstage. Nia Jax and Lash Legend approached Ripley to trash talk her. Ripley said that she is a problem that they do not want to have. Ripley said that if she and Iyo Sky want the Women’s Tag Team Titles, then they will have them. Damian Priest walked up to Ripley, saying he liked her energy and told her to take it easy before their match. Jade Cargill walked up to Rhea Ripley with the WWE Women’s Title, stared, and left for Jade’s match.

Analysis: A nice tease of a potential Jade-Rhea match.

A commercial aired for the WWE 2K25 video game with the John Cena Farewell Tour Edition add-ons to the game.

(Commercial)

Michin was backstage doing a promo, saying Jade Cargill has been pissing off all the women in WWE. Michin said that she knows Jade will give everything she has and Michin said she’ll give everything she has too. Jade beat up Michin backstage and tossed her into a wall in the backstage area.

Analysis: They claimed that Jade had a match with Michin, but Jade wasn’t in her wrestling gear.

Let’s Hear from Jade Cargill

Jade Cargill called her music, so she made her entrance as the WWE Women’s Champion.

Jade said that is what happens when women don’t know their place. Jade said that anybody who steps up can get stepped on because “I am that bit…” and here comes Michin with a kendo stick. Michin hit Jade with a kendo stick to the ribs a few times. Michin went for a table under the ring, but Jade hit a pump kick. Jade pushed the table under the ring and that drew boos. Back in the ring, Michin tried to punch Jade, but Jade hit a Chokeslam to spike Michin into the mat.

Analysis: It was more dominance from Jade Cargill. I thought we might see Tiffany Stratton come back here to confront Jade, but no sign of Tiffy Time returning yet.

A video aired about the John Cena-Gunther match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cena spoke about how his final opponent would be hard-earned, and as we know, Gunther won the 16-man Last Time Is Now Tournament. Gunther said he’s going to force Cena to give up.

The card at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13th looks like this:

• John Cena vs. Gunther in Cena’s final WWE match
• WWE World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater in a non-title match
• Sol Ruca vs. Bayley
• WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi in a non-title match

Analysis: For winners, I’ll go with Gunther, Styles & Lee, Ruca and Rhodes.

There was a video package about the 6’6” and over 300-pound Nigerian NXT Champion Oba Femi. It showed highlights of Femi in action on the NXT brand.

Aleister Black and his wife, Zelina, made their entrance for tag team action.

This Monday on Raw: World Champion CM Punk returns, and Logan Paul faces Rey Mysterio.

(Commercial)

The “Terror Twins” duo of Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley made their entrance as two buddies. The fans popped big for Ripley as Cole noted they are 5-0 as a team.

Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley vs. Aleister Black vs. Zelina

There haven’t been many mixed tag main events on SmackDown. It’s men against women and women against women. They only had about 10 minutes left until the end of the show.

Black and Zelina attacked their opponents before the bell rang. Priest fought back with punches and a clothesline that sent Black over the top to the floor. Zelina jumped on Priest’s back to no effect and Ripley tagged in against Zelina. Ripley hit two clotheslines. Ripley sent Zelina face first into the knee, followed by a clothesline. They went on a break for some fans as the match continued. Ripley hit the ring post with her left shoulder, so Zelina worked on the left arm for a few minutes.

Zelina remained in control with a Meteora knee attack on Ripley for two. Vega went for a headscissors, but there was a slip and Zelina hit a DDT. Ripley caught Zelina going for a headscissors and slammed Zelina down. Priest tagged in against Black and threw some punches, along with a flatliner. Priest hit a flying elbow and a Broken Arrow for a two count. Zelina jumped on Priest’s back and Priest was able to get her off. Black capitalized on that with a German Suplex for two. Priest kicked Black and Ripley made the tag. Zelina tackled Ripley into the ring post. Zelina hit a hurricanrana on Ripley. Black hit a knee to knock Priest out of the ring. Black and Zelina each hit moonsaults onto their opponents on the floor. Zelina jumped off the top, Ripley caught her and Zelina messed up a Code Red. That was a nasty landing, but they were okay. Zelina hit a Code Red for two. Ripley got a hold of Zelina and put her on the shoulders, so Ripley slammed Zelina into the mat for a two count because Black saved his wife, Zelina. Ripley stared at Black and then she headbutted Black off the apron to the floor. Ripley kicked Vega and Priest went into the ring to stop Black. Ripley and Priest each hit a Razor’s Edge. Ripley hit a Riptide on Vega for the pinfall win after 9 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley

Analysis: **3/4 It was just an okay tag team match with an obvious result. I don’t mock wrestlers for messing up moves or “botching” as some people say, but Zelina and Ripley were unable to do a few spots smoothly, so that hurt the match a bit. They recovered fine. I just think it hurt the match to have to try to think on your feet like that. Anyway, there wasn’t much drama to the match. I would have liked a few spots where Black looked like he might win for his team. Instead, it was mostly about the women. I don’t know if Rhea Ripley beating Zelina means that Damian Priest’s rivalry with Aleister Black is done. It may continue.

Rhea Ripley and Damien Priest celebrated the win. Michael Cole plugged John Cena’s final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. End show.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Ilja Dragunov
2. Tommaso Ciampa
3. Je’Von Evans

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The Scoreboard

7 out of 10

Last week: 7.5

2025 Average: 7.35

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Final Thoughts on WWE SmackDown

It was a typical SmackDown of late, where the show is solid for the most part, but there isn’t a lot that stands out except for the Ilja Dragunov match. That Dragunov match with Tommaso Ciampa was outstanding and I’m not surprised because they are both so talented.

This show featured the future in a lot of ways as Oba Femi confronted Cody Rhodes, Lash Legend beat Alexa Bliss and Je’Von Evans beat The Miz. There are many other wrestlers in the company that have bright futures, but I like seeing Femi, Legend and Evans used prominently like that.

They promoted the Saturday Night’s Main Event card a lot and that’s fine. I just don’t think this show was that exciting overall. They need to make SmackDown more meaningful for the casual fan because right now, it’s not a “hot” show at all.

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Thanks for reading. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: [email protected]

Twitter/X: @johnreport