Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for December 27, 2024

It is announced by General Manager Nick Aldis that Kevin Owens is not the Undisputed WWE Champion despite claiming that he is, yet he still possesses the Winged Eagle championship belt presented to "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, which he considers very concerning. He says that Owens, who has no claim to the title, has until the end of the night or else he will face immediate and severe consequences that will affect his career. He says that this is not a negotation and that he has only one opportunity to do this, and tells Owens to do the right thing.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Bianca Belair and Naomi. Naomi says she has wanted to win gold since her WWE return, and that while she did not expect to win like this, she is glad to hold championship gold with Naomi. Bianca says Naomi stepped up to ensure the women's tag titles, and that they will find out who attacked Jade Cargill. Naomi also introduces Bayley as their unofficial tag team partner tonight before they all head to the ring.

Before the next match, Nia Jax says she did not touch Jade Cargill and that neither did Tiffany Stratton or Candice LeRae. She then says Tiffany could not help her win tag team gold and could not possibly have done it. She says that Bianca is doing just find without Jade and took zero time on replacing her, then says that Bianca is trying to avoid the suspicion on herself. Nia concludes that because Jade is bigger, better and stronger than her, Bianca snapped, and says she would have done the same thing. She tells Bianca to just own up to it before she makes her.

Bianca Belair, Naomi and Bayley beat Tiffany Stratton, Nia Jax and Candice LeRae after Tiffany tries to cash in on Nia Jax and Candace stops her from doing, starting an argument between them that allows Naomi to sneak up on Candice and get the win.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis tells A-Town Down Under to take their business with Braun Strowman up with Braun himself before saying that he is waiting for someone. Sami Zayn shows up, and Grayson calls Sami Zayn "a homeless bloke" as he and Theory leave. Sami tells Aldis that they should talk.

After the commercial break, Sami Zayn tells General Manager Nick Aldis that he wants a shot at Solo Sikoa's Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu) when Carmelo Hayes shows up handing out Christmas cards. Sami tells Carmelo to wait his turn, then wads up the Christmas card and throws it at him. Carmelo says Sami to stay out of his business and off his show, since Solo's Bloodline beats him up every time he is on it. Sami says his Bloodline business can wait, as he wants Carmelo tonight. Aldis says "Consider it done."

Braun Strowman beats Austin Theory despite attempted interference by Grayson Waller.

It is announced that next week, SmackDown will expand to three hours.

We hear from Kevin Owens, who says that he deserves the Winged Eagle championship and is the true and rightful WWE Champion. He also says that he and General Manager Nick Aldis need to have a discussion, and says he will only enter the arena on his terms. Owens demands just himself and Aldis in the ring, and he will talk when he gets that.

Members of the University of Michigan football team are seen in the crowd.

Piper Niven introduces Chelsea Green to the ring for her championship celebration. Chelsea shows up dressed like the Statue of Liberty. Chelsea says that the blue brand is now "the Green house," and calls herself the most glamorous WWE Women's United States Champion before crediting herself as being the one to get herself to this moment, and says if it were not for her, the fans would be stuck with someone else. She says "good riddance" to "Michin" Mia Yim, saying that she will never be champion and that she is surprised she made it to the finals of the tournament, then asks the fans to think not what she can do for them, but what they can do for her. As Chelsea says America will soon be red, white and green, Michin shows up with a shinai in her hands and says that if it were not for Piper Niven, she would have been champion, then introduces Piper and Chelsea to her little friend to give Chelsea the ass whipping she deserves. Piper steps up, but she gets smacked, then swings at Chelsea, who is soon saved by Piper.

Backstage, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) is confronted by General Manager Nick Aldis, The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and B-Fab. Aldis wants to know who attacked The Street Profits backstage, and brings out two eyewitnesses: Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince), who want some money for their musical in exchange for their information. After Aldis threatens to fire them, Pretty Deadly say it was Garza who attacked The Street Profits. The Street Profits Garza and Berto and brawl with them until officials jump in. Aldis makes a match between the two teams, which is next.

The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) beat Los Garza (Angel and Berto) after B-Fab takes out Elektra Lopez for getting involved in the match.

We hear from Andrade, who says that Shinsuke Nakamura wants to be seen as the savior of the United States Championship. He says nobody is better than him and that Nakamura showed what kind of man he really is. Andrade says he will expose Nakamura and that everyone will remember that he is inevitable.

Backstage, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) confronts Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince). Pretty Deadly say that if they scratch #DIY's backs, #DIY can scratch theirs. #DIY likes the agreement and walk away, then B-Fab and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) show up and thank Pretty Deadly for the help on the way to see General Manager Nick Aldis regarding the WWE Tag Team Championships. On the way, The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) show up and tell The Street Profits to go to the back of the line. Suddenly, Apollo Crews shows up, tells The Stret Profits that they are getting played, and that #DIY attacked them, which he saw.

Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes ends with Braun Strowman chasing Carmelo to the back when he tries to run away and Sami Zayn being attacked from behind by Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga while Solo Sikoa directs traffic. Sanu fights back against Solo Sikoa's Bloodline (Solo, Tama, Jacob), but Solo gets the better of Sami. Braun Strowman returns while carrying Carmelo over his shoulder, drops Carmelo, then overpowers Tama and Jacob on the way to Solo, who he takes out. Jacob then gets back in the ring, teasing a showdown between himself and Strowman, only for Tama to hit Strowman with a chop block. Solo gets back in the ring and hits Strowman with two Samoan Spikes, then Sami gets back in the ring and hits Solo with a takedown only to be overpowered before Jacob hits Sami with a top rope moonsault as officials rush to the ring. Solo then hits Sami with a Samoan Spike after telling Roman Reigns that he is coming for him. Afterwards, Kevin Owens heads to the ring.

After the commercial break, Kevin Owens and General Manager Nick Aldis are in the ring. Aldis demands that Owens do the right thing and return the Winged Eagle championship belt. Owens asks if that is the right thing in his mind, and asks why he should give it back when it is the only bargaining chip that he has for a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship where the referee cannot rob him of his victory. He says Aldis can have it, but Cody Rhodes has to come and take it. Aldis says this is not a negotiation, and demands Aldis return the title or else he will never set foot in a WWE ring again. Suddenly, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring. Aldis asks Cody to turn around, walk away, and let him handle this, but Cody says he will not walk away and does not want Owens to hand over the title and make a martyr out of someone who wants to be one. Cody says that Owens throws up sheets of logic and says it all came from him teaming with Roman Reigns, but says it is about what Owens is doing, not what he is saying. Cody then says he has not done what he has done for himself for a very long time, and has done it for people who have put faith in him. Cody says it is his responsibility to take the Winged Eagle championship, not Aldis'. Owens mocks Cody, but Cody tells him to shut up. He says that if Owens wants a match where the referee cannot screw him, then he wants a match where the referee cannot stop what he will do to him. Cody then challenges Owens to a ladder match with both WWE Championship belts up for grabs. Aldis makes the match official for Royal Rumble, and Owens accepts the challenge before offering Cody his hand. Cody does nothing, and Owens shoves Aldis into Cody before stomping the latter in the neck, running away as officials run into the ring and declaring himself the true champion.

This week on The SmackDown LowDown: "Michin" Mia Yim! The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and B-Fab! Carmelo Hayes!

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!