The John Report: WWE SmackDown 12/19/25 Review
This is WWE SmackDown with the Wyatt Sicks facing MFTs, words from Cody Rhodes, plenty of tag team action, and more.
There are just two episodes of SmackDown left in 2025. This show was taped on Monday night, and next week’s SmackDown will be taped tonight. It’s a way to give talent some time off before Christmas and the final week of the year with WWE’s big holiday live event tour. When I read spoilers for this week’s show, I wasn’t that impressed with the SmackDown lineup. It’s certainly not a hot period for the blue brand.
Regarding the Cody Rhodes-Drew McIntyre feud, WWE did an angle in a video posted online where SmackDown GM Nick Aldis went to Drew’s house to talk to him. Aldis granted McIntyre a WWE Title match against Rhodes, but McIntyre wanted it in writing that Rhodes couldn’t touch McIntyre before the match. That led to Rhodes showing up at Drew’s house, and they got into a fight with security involved. I wonder if they do the Rhodes-McIntyre on the first SmackDown of 2026 on January 2nd, when the show goes back to three hours.
The tentative posting day for my 17th Annual WWE Johnny Awards is December 26th. I’ll do my best to get it done by that date. It’s one week from today.
From the GIANT Center in Hershey, PA, this is SmackDown for episode #1374. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
On the Netflix version of SmackDown that I’m watching, they have edited the commercials out, so there won’t be action during the break like a live show. I won’t even mention the commercials in my review. The runtime is 1 hour, 22 minutes. The whole show was available at 8 p.m. ET, so of course I’ll go in order.
The opening video package was about John Cena’s last match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, when he lost to Gunther. It also included post match when Cena left his shoes in the ring and said goodbye to the fans.
It was Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on commentary. They have been the Raw commentary team since early September, but here they are on SmackDown again.
Cody Rhodes was shown exiting his bus, and they also showed Solo Sikoa with the MFTs.
Let’s Hear from Damian Priest
Damian Priest made his entrance in his street clothes for a promo. Priest said it was nice to hear that energy. Priest said that at Saturday Night’s Main Event, they said goodbye to the career of John Cena. The fans booed and Priest said he agreed with that emotion. Priest said that Cena is the Greatest of All Time and we say, “Thank You Cena” so the fans chanted that. Priest reminded us of last week’s SmackDown when Zelina and Aleister got their asses dropped by the Terror Twins referring to Rhea Ripley and himself. Priest said that has been handled.
Zelina interrupted Priest saying that Priest didn’t even get the pin and he calls that salvation. Zelina said that Priest can’t stand that Aleister broke him.
Aleister Black attacked Damian Priest from behind and attacked him with elbows. Priest came back with punches. Black avoided a move, followed by a forearm and a jumping knee. Priest got a hold of Black and gave him a Chokeslam on the ring apron. Priest took a table out from under the ring. Black attacked Priest with a couple of chair shots to the body. Priest got a hold of Black, but Black shoved him into the ring post. Black hit a roundhouse kick to the head. Black hit a spinning back elbow to the head. Black jumped off the apron and hit a double knee attack to drive Priest through the table. The WWE Officials and referees finally showed up, so Black left while Priest was on the broken table.
Analysis: I thought that perhaps the Priest/Black feud was done last week, but that’s not the case. It just keeps on going. The physicality looked good with Black getting the upper hand. There is likely a final grudge match coming. I mentioned the first SmackDown of the year on January 2nd and I think that will be a bigger than usual episode with SD going back to three hours, so maybe we’ll see it there.
Lash Legend and Nia Jax were interviewed by Byron Saxton backstage. Jax didn’t like Saxton saying that Lash beat Alexa Bliss in an upset. Lash said that Little Lexie didn’t stand a chance against Lash. Lash said that they are moving on. Lash said when they annihilate the Kabuki Warriors, they’ll become the Tag Team Champions. Saxton mentioned Iyo Sky & Rhea Ripley have a Tag Team Titles. Jax said it didn’t matter who were the champions and Lash said they are coming after those titles.
The Kabuki Warriors entered for tag team action.
Damian Priest was getting helped backstage by WWE Officials when Aleister Black showed up with an attack. Black sent Priest into some objects and hit Priest in the back with a shovel to the back. Black said he’ll decide when it’s done. Black hit Priest with a Black Mass kick into a garage door. Priest sold it like he was possibly concussed.
Analysis: That’s a lot of heat on Black for that cheap attack. I expect Priest to get the win when they have their final match.
Kabuki Warriors – Asuka & Kairi Sane vs. Nia Jax & Lash Legend
This is not for the Women’s Tag Team Titles held by the Kabuki Warriors. Both teams are heels. The Kabuki Warriors are on the side of the ring that the face team usually is facing the camera.
Sane used her speed to hit a headscissors, but Lash came back with an uppercut smash. Jax splashed Sane against the turnbuckle and Lash hit a splash too. Jax went for an elbow drop, but Sane moved. Asuka tagged in and the Kabukis worked over Jax with kicks for a one count. Jax lifted up Asuka and hit a headbutt. Asuka hit Jax with double knees. The Kabukis hit a double dropkick to send Jax out of the ring. Asuka knocked Lash off the apron. Sane went up top and hit an Insane Elbow on both opponents at the same time.