The John Report: WWE SmackDown 12/26/25 Review
This is WWE SmackDown featuring Joe Hendry facing The Miz, the Cody Rhodes-Drew McIntyre rivalry continues, and more.
It’s the final WWE SmackDown episode of the year. It was taped last Friday, and I read the spoilers. I hope you had a good Christmas if you celebrated. I sure did, and it was a fun time with a lot of family. Happy New Year to you next Thursday. Next Friday, January 2, SmackDown returns to three hours. I don’t love writing for an extra hour, but hopefully it leads to better shows featuring more talent.
I posted my 17th Annual WWE Johnny Awards column earlier today. It’s a lot of John Cena content in there, and plenty of other people, as we look back on the year that was. I am taking a mini-vacation for the next 4 days after this review, so I look forward to unplugging a bit.
From the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this is SmackDown for episode #1375. 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, 20 minutes. The whole show was available at 8 p.m. ET, so of course I’ll go in order.
A video package aired about the Cody Rhodes-Drew McIntyre rivalry. They’ll have a WWE Title match on the January 9th SmackDown episode in Berlin, Germany. Last week on SmackDown, Cody told SmackDown GM Nick Aldis that while he is the WWE Champion, he works for the fans and Aldis works for Rhodes.
The suit-wearing Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was backstage where he saw SmackDown GM Nick Aldis. Cody was informed that Drew wasn’t there yet, but he has signed the contract for the WWE Title match. Cody wanted Nick to let him know when Drew arrives.
The Miz spoke to Nick Aldis backstage. Miz said that Joe Hendry ruined his holidays. Aldis said you should be concerned about your match. Miz wanted Aldis not to play Joe Hendry’s music, but since Nick said his name, of course Joe was in the ring.
Joe Hendry Concert
Joe Hendry was in the ring along with others in Santa Claus gear, including Otis and Akira Tozawa. There was somebody in a bunny outfit. Joe did a holiday song that mocked The Miz for having tiny balls and it was to the tune of Jingle Bells. Joe said that Miz would rather be in Hollywood, but they won’t return his calls. Joe mocked Miz for being kicked out of the locker room for half of his career…and Miz cut the song off.
The Miz said that this was not sing along with Joe. Joe said that he knows Miz is upset that they sang the song without him. Joe got the crowd to sing, “Jingle Bells, Jingle Bless, Miz has tiny balls…” and it went on from there. The Miz got into the ring. Miz said he spent 20 years outlasting people. Miz said he’s chasing a legacy. Miz said now that John Cena, Miz has earned the right to be the locker room leader and take this company into the future. Miz said he had a match with Hendry right now.
Nick Aldis appeared to say that their match is now a Miracle on 34th Street Fight. That’s where a commercial would be if we got commercials on Netflix.
Analysis: That was a fun concert by Joe Hendry. It’s something he did in TNA and NXT in the past as well, so it makes sense to bring it to SmackDown at the expense of The Miz as well.