‘WWE Smackdown’ Review (Dec 26th 2025)
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: Miracle on 34th Street Fight – Joe Hendry def. The Miz
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After The Miz ruined Joe Hendry’s Christmas Spectacular, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis changed the scheduled match between Joe Hendry and The Miz into a Miracle on 34th Street Fight. Hendry and Miz brought all the holiday weapons, including a tiny violin and a small pair of ornaments. Eventually, Hendry battered The A-Lister with a Christmas tree before connecting with a huge fallaway slam. On the outside, an elf-costumed Akira Tozawa tried to give some holiday cookies to The Awesome One, but this enraged The Miz, who blasted Tozawa in the face with a big boot. Hendry gifted Miz some candy cane Kendo stick strikes before sending him back into the ring. Tozawa, Hendry, a Christmas-outfitted Otis and an Easter Bunny surrounded Miz, taking turns beating down The A-Lister. The Easter Bunny was revealed to be R-Truth, who hit a Five Knuckle Shuffle on his former tag team partner. Hendry nailed a Standing Ovation through a table to win the match.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Charlotte Flair def. Lash Legend
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After defeating Alexa Bliss a few weeks ago, Lash Legend took on Charlotte Flair. Flair nailed a moonsault, but Legend kicked out after Flair used an unorthodox cover. Bliss attacked Nia Jax on the outside after Jax attempted to interfere in the match. This distracted Legend, as The Queen rolled her up to win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: United States Championship – Carmelo Hayes def. Ilja Dragunov
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov again battled after their clash from a few weeks ago ended in a no-contest when Solo Sikoa and The MFTs invaded the bout. Dragunov went for the H-Bomb, but Hayes connected with a huge enzuigiri before nailing a flying DDT. The Mad Dragon blasted Hayes with the Constantine Special and an enormous senton. Hayes countered a superplex from Dragunov into an awesome cutter, but The Mad Dragon kicked out as the WWE Universe erupted into a “this is awesome” chant. Dragunov looked to end the match when he destroyed Hayes with a death valley driver onto the apron. Hayes somehow connected with the First 48 before executing Nothing But Net to win the United States Title.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #4: Giulia & Kiana James def. Chelsea Green & Alba Fyre
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Still attempting to reclaim the Women’s United States Title, Giulia teamed with her agent Kiana James to battle U.S. Champion Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre. Green tried to evade Giulia, but once The Beautiful Madness was tagged, Giulia took apart Green. Giulia soon nailed Arrivederci on Green to win the match.
My Score: Squash out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
This week’s SmackDown was very much a tale of tonal whiplash. The Miracle on 34th Street Fight leaned hard into festive chaos and celebrity-style comedy, which will land for some but felt more like seasonal filler than meaningful progression. Charlotte vs. Lash Legend was fine without ever really kicking into gear, ending just as it seemed ready to find a rhythm. The clear highlight of the night was Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov, a genuinely hard-hitting, crowd-engaging title match that reminded everyone what SmackDown can be when it lets elite wrestlers loose. Giulia’s squash win did its job in showcasing her dominance, but offered little substance beyond that. Overall, a serviceable episode padded with novelty, lifted by one standout match, and ultimately skippable if you’re short on time.
