Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for December 24, 2021

In backstage footage from earlier today, Kayla Braxton interviews Paul Heyman. Heyman says he told the truth to Roman Reigns, but it was a truth that Roman did not want to hear, and because of that, he was fired, smashed, embarrassed and hamulated publicly. He says that he paid a price for telling that truth, but he does not regretting telling it, because his role as special counsel was to tell the uncomfortable truths, and not to protect Reigns as a personality, but as a champion. Heyman says he tried to explain this to Roman, but all of his belongings were tossed out into the hallway. He says that Roman is the greatest Universal Champion of all time, but he needs to be protected from Brock Lesnar. As for what is next for him, Heyman says he does not know, and says every bit of his heart, soul and spirit was spent for Roman Reigns because he believed in him, and without that, it may be time to acknowledge his career is most likely over.

Charlotte Flair retains the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship against Toni Storm after reversing an inside cradle with one of her own.

Backstage, Drew McIntyre meets with The New Day (Sir Kofi Kingston and King Woods). Drew says it is a special day when "Drew Day" gets back together, and King Woods says that he and Sir Kofi Kingston plan to ring in a new year with the SmackDown tag team titles, but tonight, they will beat Madcap Moss and The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso). Drew McIntyre says he feels a little sad because he will beat Madcap Moss so badly he will not make it to Day 1, while Kofi says that tonight will be a "season's beating."

We hear from Xia Li. She says she has known women like Natalya all her life, and says that if she is a vulture, then she will fight her, not fear her, because she is the protector.

Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs watch the next match from ringside.

Sami Zayn beats Mansoor, Erik, Angel, Shanky, Ivar, Drew Gulak, Cesaro, Sheamus, Jinder Mahal and Ricochet in a Twelve Days of Christmas Gauntlet Match to become #1 contender for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Cesaro is eliminated thanks to the distraction by Ridge Holland, which allows Sheamus to hit the Brogue Kick to eliminate Cesaro. Sheamus is eliminated after Ridge Holland gets involved in the match only to be taken out by Cesaro, distracting Sheamus and allowing Ricochet to eliminate him. Sheamus hits Ricochet with a Brogue Kick on the way out, but despite that, Ricochet is able to eliminate Humberto after referee Jessica Carr keeps him from eliminating Ricochet early by checking on Ricochet.

We look back on the career of Paul Heyman.

Drew McIntyre and The New Day (Sir Kofi Kingston and King Woods) beat Madcap Moss and The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) in a six-man Miracle on 34th Street Fight after Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss get eggnog dumped all over them. After the match, The New and Drew McIntyre toss shirts and gifts into the crowd to end the show, while a box gets thrown at the back of Madcap Moss' head.

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