Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown Live recap for December 26, 2017

General Manager Daniel Bryan shows up to start tonight's show. It is announced that the first hour of SmackDown Live this week is commercial-free (though once again, it applies only to the United States). Daniel Bryan says last week was a rollercoaster night, and mentions Dolph Ziggler's supposed departure from SmackDown Live coming out of nowhere. He has been trying to call Dolph all week, but he has not answered him back; therefore, due to Dolph's actions, Dolph Ziggler has voluntarily relinquished the United States Championship. Daniel then wishes Dolph the best of long along with the fans, and says that Dolph is one of the all-time greats. However, the show must go forward. He announces that he and Shane are happy to have the United States title on SmackDown Live, and that a tournament has been made to crown a new United States Champion. That tournament starts tonight. Former United States Champion Baron Corbin will take on Bobby Roode in the first round. Before another match can be announced, Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable show up. Chad says he is happy about the United States title, but wants to know what Daniel Bryan will do about the tag team title situation. As the crowd chants "Rusev Day," Daniel Bryan asks them if they had a shot two weeks ago at Clash of Champions. Chad Gable asks if that title shot was fair, and Shelton Benjamin says they never got their one-on-one shot before asking why other teams were involved. Shelton says they beat Rusev and Aiden English last week, proving that if they had their way, they would be SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Suddenly, Aiden English is heard singing as he shows up with Rusev. Aiden English asks why he and Rusev deserve to face The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso), then says they beat the champions two weeks ago, they did not lose at Clash of Champions, and that today is Rusev Day, even though Gable says it is Boxing Day. Suddenly, The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) shows up. Kofi tosses pancakes into the crowd, then Woods says all the other teams are wasting his time. If he wants to know who the real #1 contenders are, all he has to do is take the Kofi Kingston True/False Challenge. Big E says that Benjamin and Gable lost at Clash of Champions, that Rusev and Aiden English got pinned by The New Day last week, and that The New Day deserves a title shot. Woods says logic dictates they are the #1 contenders to the tag titles. Rusev tells The New Day to shut up, as nobody wants to see their spinning hips, leading the fans to chant "Rusev Day" again. Rusev asks Daniel Bryan if he can make up his mind or if he has to consult Commissioner Shane McMahon. Daniel Bryan says he can make this decision on his own, and says all the teams in the ring have valid points. Therefore, all three teams will be in a Triple Threat Match where the winners will face The Usos for the SmackDown tag team titles...and that match happens right now. The Usos then guest on commentary for the match.

Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable beat the team of Rusev and Aiden English and The New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods) in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match to become #1 contenders for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

Backstage, General Manager meets with Commissioner Shane McMahon. Shane asks about Daniel Bryan telling him he is turning into Mr. McMahon last week, and says that while his father can be ruthless, cold and calculating, he made WWE and wrestling into what it is by himself. At the end of his day, Vince McMahon is still his father. Daniel Bryan tells Shane that he throws his weight around and that some of his father's negative qualities are showing. Shane also mentions that Baron Corbin has a rematch for the United States title. Daniel says SmackDown is the land of opportunity, and he wanted to give several people opportunities at the United States title. Shane also mentions AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens as the main event tonight, as well as Sami Zayn not being banned from ringside. Shane then says perception is reality, and that word is going around that Daniel is showing favoritism between Sami and Owens. He wants to know he can trust Daniel. Daniel says that Owens vs. Styles was one of the year's best rivalries, and what could be better than one more match.

Another episode of The Fashion Files is now streaming on WWE.com, where it is mentioned that The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) have given Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) a rematch against The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) tonight.

The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) beat Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) by disqualification when The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) rush in the ring, attack The Bludgeon Brothers and carry Breezango to the back.

Backstage, Dasha Fuentes tries to interview Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango), but Konnor says that The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) crossed the line. Viktor then announces that Breezango are challenging The Bludgeon Brothers to a rematch next week.

Ruby Riott quickly beats Naomi with the distraction from Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan. After the match, The Riott Squad takes the boots to Naomi, but Charlotte Flair shows up and takes them down. It is not long before the numbers game takes over, and The Riot Squad toss Charlotte out of the ring. As The Riott Squad celebrates, Natalya, Carmella, Lana and Tamina get in the ring and outnumber them. The Riott Squad leaves the ring immediately, but the four of them quickly meet up with them and start a brawl at the aisle.

Renee Young interviews "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. He is planning for Kevin Owens like he did for Jinder Mahal. As for Daniel Bryan showing favoritism, he is the favorite when he gets in the ring. He started 2017 as WWE Champion and plans to end it that way. He says SmackDown Live is the land of opportunity, but opportunity is not simply handed to you; instead, you have to earn it. If Owens is going to beat him, he will have to outwork, outsmart and outhustle him. It didn't happen this year, and it won't happen tonight. He says 2018 will be no different from 2017, as SmackDown Live will continue to be the house that AJ Styles built.

Bobby Roode beats Baron Corbin to advance to the semi-finals in the United States Championship Tournament after reversing a move into a sunset flip powerbomb pin.

Jinder Mahal beats "The Perfect Ten" Tye Dillinger to advance to the semi-finals of the United States Championship Tournament.

Tonight on 205 Live: Hideo Itami vs. "Gentleman" Jack Gallagher!

Dasha Fuentes interviews Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Owens has a bottle of champagne, but he is waiting to beat AJ Styles before he opens it. It is the same bottle General Manager Daniel Bryan refused last week. Owens mentions that Commissioner Shane McMahon was the special guest referee the last time he faced Styles, but that was then and this is now, and now he has a guardian angel in Sami Zayn by his side. He then says Daniel Bryan knows he will need the champagne after he beats Styles, and says he is better than phenomenal. After the match, he will have a private party, and only he and Sami are the only invited guests.

Renee Young interviews Randy Orton. Orton says there is not much to say except that he has dealt with everyone's issues except for his. He is looking to the future, and all he is concerning himself with is the Royal Rumble Match, which he is entering. Suddenly, "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura shows up, saying that is a good idea. He then says "Let's rumble" before leaving, confirming that he is entering the Men's Royal Rumble Match.

Kevin Owens beast "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles During the match, Commissioner Shane McMahon shows up after Sami Zayn repeatedly gets on the apron to distract Styles, and has the referee toss Sami out of the ring. Styles oes for an inside cradle, but the ref is not there to count it as he is too busy with Sami. Owens then goes for a schoolboy pin on Styles and gets the win, much to the chagrin of both Shane and Styles.

Here are the top 10 moments from tonight's show!