SmackDown airs tonight (Dec. 26) with a taped show (spoilers are here) emanating from Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is the fourth episode of SmackDown during the nine week build to Royal
Rumble, which takes place on January 31 in Saudi Arabia.
Joe Hendry finally gets to take over WWE
Tonight is the final two hour episode of SmackDown before the show expands to three hours to kick off 2026. WWE needs to bolster the blue brand’s roster to prepare for the big change, leading to rumors like NXT star Trick Williams is already listed internally as a SmackDown wrestler.
One NXT star who we know for sure is appearing on tonight’s episode of SmackDown is Joe Hendry. He is one of the handful of NXT talents who were showcased on the night that John Cena retired at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Hendry appeared in the ring after The Miz said his name during a comedy segment with R-Truth. The scene ended with The Miz getting his ass kicked by both babyfaces, who posed over his body as WWE fans sang Hendry’s super catchy theme song.
The Miz is seething after being humiliated like that, so he demanded a match against Hendry tonight. GM Nick Aldis gladly granted his request, which means the Joe Hendry craze finally gets to take over main roster WWE with his first official match on the blue brand. I can’t imagine that WWE will introduce Hendry on SmackDown with a loss, especially against low card fodder like The Miz, so it’s shaping up to be a big night for the former TNA world champion. I bet more WWE fans will believe in Joe Hendry than Santa Claus when all is said and done.
Tune into SmackDown tonight to see what exactly happens when WWE says Joe Hendry’s name for his debut match on the blue brand.
The rest of the card
I’m pretty sure that Drew McIntyre is still technically suspended, but he is scheduled to appear on SmackDown tonight. Drew and GM Nick Aldis still have to finalize some details related to his reinstatement, such as booking a date for his upcoming WWE championship match against Cody Rhodes, and perhaps apologizing to referee Dan Engler. McIntyre also gets to choose the stipulation for his title match against Cody, so we’ll see if he chooses one where it doesn’t matter if Cody is above the law. Rhodes will be stripped of the title if lays a finger on Drew, but that condition doesn’t apply in the other direction. That lays the groundwork for Rhodes to take a beating tonight as Drew’s suspension officially comes to an end.
United States Champion Ilja Dragunov’s business with Tommaso Ciampa appears to be over after the champ teamed up with Carmelo Hayes to beat DIY last week. With Ciampa out of the way, which star will be next to step up and answer Dragunov’s open challenge for a title match tonight? Will Tama Tonga finally pull the trigger on it, or is he happy lurking around backstage in Dragunov’s shadow like a creep?
Other stuff to keep an eye on
– The never-ending feud between Aleister Black and Damian Priest continued last week when Aleister ambushed the babyface from behind and attacked him with a shovel. Are they getting ready for a Buried Alive match or something?
– Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss ran off Nia Jax and Lash Legend last week after the latter duo defeated WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka and Kairi Sane in a non-title match. Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY are getting the next title shot against the Kabuki Warriors, which is scheduled for the Jan. 5 episode of Raw. Will all four teams be in the building tonight to punch each other in the face and argue about it?
– Michin tried to get some payback on WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill last week by attacking her with a kendo stick, but it’s only delaying the inevitable. When will Nick Aldis book a title match between them so Jade can squash her and move on to a real challenger? If it doesn’t happen tonight, then Cargill will finish the year with zero title defenses after winning the belt on Nov. 1.
– Does Aldis still have no clue about the identity of the mystery attacker(s) who took out Jacob Fatu two months ago?
– Last week’s WWE tag team championship match between Solo Sikoa’s MFT and Uncle Howdy’s Wyatt Sicks ended in a no contest, and a wild brawl ensued as SmackDown went off the air. Which will come first, a singles match between Sikoa and Howdy, or a group match featuring all family members?
– Giulia is pissed off and wants a rematch against Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green. Will she be granted one after defeating Alba Fyre last week, or does Giulia still have to beat someone else’s ass before she gets what she wants?
– WWE sometimes likes to book a Miracle on 34th Street Fight around Christmas time. Are we getting another one of those bouts tonight?
– Where the f*** is Randy Orton?
What will you be looking for on SmackDown?
