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. 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.
It’s Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary. Mark Nash was the ring announcer.
Miracle on 34th Street Fight: The Miz vs. Joe Hendry
The bunny, Otis, and Akira Tozawa remained at ringside. There were tables and Christmas-style weapons at ringside. Joe hit a delayed vertical suplex, so Miz bailed to the floor. Joe opened a present to reveal a box. Miz opened a gift that was a ukulele. Miz also pulled out two small ornaments. Joe gave Miz a hiptoss into a Christmas tree. Joe threw an empty box at Miz. Joe pulled out a Slim Jim sponsored table from under the ring and put it in the ring. Miz got a rollup for two. Joe lifted Miz, then Miz got out of that and Joe sent Miz out of the ring. Miz was tossed a box, so Miz elbowed the present a few times.
The match continued from a break for some fans as Joe hit a clothesline. Joe had the Christmas tree that he used to knock Miz down twice. Joe gave Miz a fallaway slam. Joe did a fallaway slam to the three into Miz. Joe went for a lift, Miz fought out of that and Joe sent Miz out of the ring. Miz knocked Tozawa’s cookies down and kicked Tozawa. Miz hit the bunny with a kendo stick, but Otis broke the kendo stick. Joe hit Miz with a kendo stick, including a low blow. Joe brought his three friends into the ring. Joe hit a fallaway slam. Otis hit The Worm and elbowed some cookies onto Miz. Tozawa went up top and hit a senton bomb on Miz. The bunny took his head off to reveal it was R-Truth, so he did John Cena’s 5-Knuckle Shuffle on Miz. Joe smashed Miz in the back with the guitar. Joe hit a Standing Ovation through the table for the pinfall win after 8 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Joe Hendry
Analysis: **1/4 It was a comedy match to make the fans feel good. Miz finishes 2025 winless in singles matches. Joe got help from three babyfaces to beat Miz because it was a way to pop the crowd with the good guys. I don’t know if this means Hendry is officially on SmackDown, but it was rumored that if he does get called up to the main roster, he’ll be on SmackDown.
Drew McIntyre was interviewed by Cathy Kelley backstage. When Cathy asked Drew about his upcoming WWE Title match, Drew said he’ll give more info later. Drew said he’s tired, so he’ll lie down, but he promises to answer the questions later.
Aleister Black was featured in a video talking about how a very talented man reached the absolute pinnacle that this industry has to offer. Black said that man gave all of himself away. Zelina walked in to talk about The Judgment Day, saying that Damian Priest poured his time into everyone else, but all they did was take from him. Black and Zelina said that man doesn’t descend into violence, he returns to it. Zelina said that for 6 months, it has made Priest hateful and violent. Black claimed that Priest will answer to them. Black said win or lose, they have a way to change him. They kept warning Priest, and Black said it would end soon.
Analysis: The longest feud on SmackDown. I don’t mind it, but I didn’t expect it to run this long.
The WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill was interviewed by Byron Saxton. Jade said she’ll stomp a hole through Michin’s chest. Jade said that Michin should be scared. Jade said she doesn’t need weapons because she is a weapon. Jade told Michin to bring her kendo stick because she’ll end it.
B-Fab and Michin were talking backstage. B-Fab told Michin that being smart and cautious is the right way to handle this. Michin said that Jade needs to be humbled. Michin claimed she would humble her.
Analysis: Good luck with that, Michin. I expect an easy Jade win.
Charlotte Flair (w/Alexa Bliss) vs. Lash Legend (w/Nia Jax)
They are two of the taller women in WWE in this first time ever singles match. Lash hit a knee to the ribs, followed by a body slam. Flair hit a chop, so Lash came back with a clothesline. Lash sent Flair into the turnbuckle two times. Flair jumped over Lash, but Lash came back with an uppercut for two. Flair delivered a kick, then she charged and Lash hit a Powerbomb for two.
Lash held Flair in her arms and sent her upper body repeatedly into the ropes. Lash hit a body slam for two. Flair broke free, she went to the apron and hit a boot to the head. Flair hit a cross body block off the top. Flair: “Come on big girl, let’s go!” Flair chopped Lash repeatedly. Flair came back with a pump kick for two. Flair got a sunset flip for two. Flair kicked Lash, but Lash hit a clothesline for two. Lash went for her finish off the back, but Flair countered with a DDT. Flair went up top and landed the moonsault onto Lash for two. Jax went on the apron to distract, so Lash kicked Flair into the turnbuckle. Bliss jumped on Jax’s back. Flair got a sunset flip rollup on Lash for the pinfall win after 7 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Charlotte Flair
Analysis: **3/4 It was a match where Lash got plenty of offense and nearly won a few times, but the savvy veteran Flair found a way to win. Flair getting the win was the right call since Bliss lost to Lash recently, so it gives the momentum back to Flair and Bliss. These tag team women keep having singles matches and exchanging wins just to show they care about tag team wrestling, I guess.
The SmackDown GM Nick Aldis was in his GM’s office talking to free agent Trick Williams. Trick claimed that Monday Night Raw is ready to throw him the bag. Trick told Nick this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The WWE Champion Cody Rhodes walked in to tell Trick to give Cody a minute to talk to Nick. Aldis told Cody that Drew McIntyre hasn’t done his apology yet. Aldis told Cody to control his emotions. Trick Williams walked in to tell Cody about his credentials. Trick said if Nick makes the right decision, then Cody better hold onto the title real tight. Cody said, “Okay” and left.
Analysis: I expect Trick Williams to sign with SmackDown. His fiancée, Lash Legend, is on the blue brand, so it makes sense to put the couple on the same show.
Solo Sikoa was in a video, seated at the table surrounded by the MFTs. Solo said that Uncle Howdy doesn’t even have a family, he just has guys who hide behind masks. Solo told them to hang onto the Tag Team Titles for as long as they can. Solo said that the fireflies are fading, the lantern is running low, and their blood is in your hands. Solo said that Howdy’s world is in Solo’s hands, so Solo said, “he’s got the whole world in his hands.”
Analysis: There’s a Bray Wyatt reference at the end. It’s another feud that keeps on going, but I don’t think it’s that interesting.
United States Championships: Ilja Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes
It is a matchup of two babyfaces who won a tag team match last week. They exchanged strikes early on. Ilja hit a jumping kick to the head. Ilja hit a German Suplex, he held onto it and Ilja hit another German Suplex. Ilja hit an overhead suplex across the ring. Ilja hit a chop, a knee and a running boot to the face to knock Melo out of the ring.
The champion Ilja remained in control with a kick that knocked Melo down by the turnbuckle. Ilja hit a few chops. Ilja went for another strike, but Melo caught it and hit some strikes of his won. Melo bounced off the turnbuckle and hit a lariat. Melo sent Ilja face first into the knee, along with a clothesline. Melo jumped off the middle rope with a springboard clothesline. Ilja blocked a move and hit a running knee for two. Ilja went up top, jumped off with a senton splash attempt, Melo avoided it and Melo spun around and hit a facebuster into the mat. Melo hit some chops, Ilja fired up and hit some chops of his own, along with a boot to the head. Ilja charged, but Melo caught him with a jumping kick. Melo jumped off the ropes with a springboard DDT for two. Good nearfall there. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Melo went up top, jumped off, Ilja caught him and Melo fought back with elbows. Ilja avoided a Melo move and hit the Constantine Special lariat. Ilja went up top and hit a senton splash for two. The match continues.
It was the third part of the match as Ilja hit a palm strike to the side of the head. Ilja was yelling at Melo to fight for it. They exchanged strikes, Ilja with a kick and then Melo with a superkick. Melo went to the turnbuckle, he hit a few slaps to the face and a headbutt. Melo went up top for the leg drop, but Ilja countered with a jumping roundhouse kick to the head. Ilja hit an impressive superplex from the apron while Melo was on the apron. Melo blocked an H-Bomb, so Ilja hit a kick. Ilja lifted up Melo and hit a spinebuster-style move for two. Ilja went for a superplex off the top, but Melo turned it into a Cutter! That got a two count for Melo. The fans thought that was it. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” while they showed a fan in the crowd with a stunned look. Melo jumped to the apron, Ilja caught him and hit some punches and a headbutt. Ilja gave Melo a Death Valley Driver slam on the apron. Ouch. Ilja went up top, jumped off and Melo hit a First 48 double knee attack! Melo went up top and hit Nothing But Net legdrop to the back of the head for the 1…2…3! Yes! Title change. It went about 14 minutes. That would have been about 20 minutes with commercials.
Winner by pinfall AND NEW United States Champion: Carmelo Hayes
Analysis: **** These guys are fantastic, and I enjoyed that match. It was four stars from me. That superplex counter into a Cutter was tremendous. I’ll miss Dragunov’s US Title Open Challenges like I did when Sami Zayn lost, but it wouldn’t shock me if Melo continued them. I’m all for the title change because Melo hasn’t won any gold in two years on the main roster, so it helps legitimize Melo as a guy who can win a title. Dragunov was an awesome champion thanks to fighting style and ability in the ring. It meant a lot for Melo to win because of how tough Ilja has been as a champion, and Sami Zayn before him. I feel like Melo was miscast as a heel for his first year on SD and they finally got it right this year, so now he can be more like himself. The fans got into the match and that was cool to see.
Carmelo Hayes celebrated the big win. Ilja Dragunov took the US Title from referee Charles Robinson and Ilja put the title on Melo. The fans cheered. Melo continued to celebrate. Melo hugged the US Title while pyro went off, and he celebrated with the title.
Analysis: Cool Moment. Respect.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss talked backstage where they were happy about Flair’s win over Lash Legend. Nick Aldis was talking to a referee in the background. They mentioned the Women’s Tag Team Champions. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky walked in to say they’re coming for the tag team titles. That led to Nia Jax & Lash Legend showing up, along with Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane. Aldis tried to calm everybody down. Aldis said next week on SmackDown will be an 8-woman tag team match so the 8 of them can face off and get their frustrations out of their system. The women bickered some more.
Analysis: A multi-woman tag team match makes sense, but they are not doing that yet.
Carmelo Hayes was interviewed backstage with the US Title. Cathy Kelley asked how it felt. Melo thanked Ilja for elevating the US Title and reminding Melo who he is. Johnny Gargano attacked Melo from behind and said he’ll take everything from him. Melo went into some equipment cases backstage. Melo was down selling it.
Analysis: There’s an obvious first opponent for Melo. I like that.
Giulia & Kiana James vs. Chelsea Green & Alba Fyre
They are all heels in this match. Green is the Women’s US Champion who won the title from Giulia. Green rolled up James for two and James rolled up Green for two after that. Giulia tagged in, so Green tagged out. James faced off against Fyre, who hit an elbow to the jaw. James powered Fyre into the turnbuckle and hit a shoulder tackle. Fyre superkicked James. Fyre hit a Tornado DDT on James for two. Green was back into to send James face first into the mat. Giulia was back in there and tossed Green across the ring by holding onto Green’s hair. Giulia hit the running knee and snap suplex. Giulia went up top and hit a missile dropkick. Giulia kicked Fyre and tossed Fyre out. Giulia hit the Northern Lights Bomb for the pinfall win after about 5 minutes.
Winner by pinfalls: Giulia & Kiana James
Analysis: **1/2 Easy win to put Giulia into title contention again. The fans were dead quiet for a lot of this, probably because it was a double taping and also because it was between two heel teams.
Kit Wilson spoke to SmackDown GM Nick Aldis about how he didn’t like the toxic people on the show. Aldis said that Kit will have an opportunity next week. Cody Rhodes walked in complaining about Drew McIntyre, so that led to Drew’s music hitting in the arena. Aldis told Cody he’s got this. Aldis left with referee Dan Engler.
Drew McIntyre walked out in all white attire for a main event promo.
A video package aired about NXT Champion Oba Femi causing destruction.
Next week on SmackDown on January 9th, when the show moves to three hours:
* Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs. Nia Jax, Lash Legend and Kabuki Warriors – Asuka & Kyrie Sane
* Jade Cargill vs. Michin
* Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black
Let’s Hear from Drew McIntyre and Nick Aldis
Drew McIntyre was in the ring with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and referee Dan Engler. Nick said that Drew and Cody Rhodes have gone over the line. Nick said Drew can prove he’s a man of his word, so he can focus on his title match.
Drew handed Nick a check to pay the fine and told Nick not to spend it all at once. Drew told referee Dan Engler that he is genuinely sorry for Claymore kicking Dan in the face. Drew wanted him to please accept his humble apology. Drew said that he also apologized that Engler’s dream was to be a wrestler, but he wasn’t good enough, so he had to be a referee. Drew said he apologized to Dan’s wife, Melissa, because she couldn’t marry a man like Drew. Drew said he apologized for Dan’s children because they have a cowardly, corporate stooge of a father. Drew dared Engler to hit him.
Analysis: It was an apology from Drew McIntyre, at least at the start of it, and then it turned into a heel being a jerk, which Drew is great at doing.
Cody Rhodes made his entrance as the WWE Champion and the fans popped for him as usual. Cody marched down to the ring quickly.
Cody got in Drew’s face and Drew said that the fans want to see a fight and physicality. Drew said Cody told Nick that Cody runs this show. Drew asked the fans if they wanted to see Cody fight him. Drew mocked Cody for crying a lot like a teenage girl trying to get daddy’s credit card. Drew said that he knows Cody is upset because Drew attacked Cody on his tour bus, where his family sleeps. Drew said that Cody’s family wasn’t there. Drew wanted Cody’s kids to see Drew put a beating on him, and he wanted Cody’s wife, Brandi, to see what a daddy looks like. Drew dared Cody to hit him.
Drew informed Cody about their stipulation. Drew said they aren’t doing this match in America since Cody screwed him three times. Cody said that they are taking this to Berlin, Germany for SmackDown on January 9th in a 3 Stages of Hell Match. Drew said when he tortures Cody in Berlin and sends him straight to hell, say hi to your dad for him. Aldis tried to grab Cody, who backed Aldis into the turnbuckle. Cody charged, and Drew hit a Claymore Kick to put Cody down. Drew held up the WWE Title over the fallen Rhodes. Drew’s music played to end it.
Analysis: Great job by Drew McIntyre in that segment. He came across as a main event heel who said some terrible things and cheap-shotted Rhodes as well. Well booked. I think 3 Stages of Hell is a great idea since it’s so rare. The Berlin crowd should be on fire. As for the comment about Cody’s dad, Dusty Rhodes, being in hell, that is obviously going to infuriate anybody who has lost a loved one like Cody lost Dusty about a decade ago, so yeah, it was a cheap shot to get even more heat on Drew.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Carmelo Hayes
- Ilja Dragunov
- Drew McIntyre
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The Scoreboard
7 out of 10
Last week: 6
2025 Average: 7.31
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Final Thoughts on WWE SmackDown
It wasn’t the most exciting show or anything like that, but the US Title match carried it with Carmelo Hayes beating Ilja Dragunov to win the US Title. Other matches were fine, but nothing special. The first half dragged quite a bit.
I thought Drew McIntyre did a great job of being a top heel in that main event segment with Cody Rhodes and Nick Aldis. Drew was a smart heel in that segment and he left with the upper hand. I liked how it was booked.
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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