Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for January 3, 2025

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cody announces that despite everything that is going on, he is not cleared to wrestle because of Kevin Owens. As he mentions the ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Championship, Drew McIntyre shows up. McIntyre enters the ring, then hugs Cody, who does not reciprocate. He then says is here to help Cody, not hurt him, as he is not on hist list. McIntyre tells Cody that he is about to ruin his own life's work, and says that WWE's best time is right now and that Cody is the best right now. Cody admits that he and McIntyre are kindred spirits, then tells McIntyre that he does not believe him and that he can feel that the situation will devolve. He then says that if McIntyre wants a shot at his title, he can come and get it. McIntyre tells Cody that he will see the truth right now and reiterates that he is here to help him, then tells Cody as he leaves that he needs to watch his back. As Cody confronts McIntyre, he is attacked from behind by Owens. McIntyre leaves as Cody and Owens brawl, and officials rush in to restore order.

Shinsuke Nakamura beats Andrade. After the match, LA Knight runs into the ring and attacks Nakamura. He goes for the BFT, but Nakamura shoves Knight away and escapes. Knight says that one way or another, he is coming to collect what is owed to him.

Backstage, Apollo Crews is met by Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince). Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Angel, Berto, Elektra Lopez) shows up as Apollo Crews says everyone knew Pretty Deadly was lying, and as Pretty Deadly deny lying to Legado del Fantasma, they get attacked by Angel and Berto, which has to be broken up by officials. General Manager Nick Aldis then has a chat with Pretty Deadly.

Backstage, as General Manager Nick Aldis speaks with Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince), #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) shows up to defend Pretty Deadly. Aldis says he does not know what they are all up to, but they are all on thin ice. After Aldis leaves, #DIY says Pretty Deadly make good #1 contenders and that "#DIY makes the line," and also says it is important that #DIY leaves tag team champions tonight.

"Michin" Mia Yim beats Piper Niven.

We see a vignette for Naomi.

Paul Heyman is in the ring. Heyman says he is here to set the record straight and that everyone will find out who the real Tribal Chief is, and that while he and Roman Reigns prepared Solo Sikoa to become the future Tribal Chief, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes got the better of Roman at WrestleMania. He says that when that happened, Solo took the opportunity to steal the ula fala from Roman Reigns and rebuild The Bloodline in his image as the original Bloodline would not acknowledge him. He says that in Tribal Combat, there are no rules except that there must be a winner and a loser, and that Roman Reigns will be the winner. As Heyman leaves, Solo Sikoa shows up. Heyman says he is about ten seconds away from pissing his pants after Solo had him attacked last time, as he knows Solo will have it happen again if he even blinks at him wrong. Solo demands the microphone, which Heyman reluctantly hands over to him, then says he needs somebody trustworthy who loves his family to hold the ula fala. He then says that if Roman wins, Heyman will place the ula fala around his neck and that he will acknowledge Roman as Tribal Chief. He also says that if he beats Roman, Heyman will not only do him the honor, but he will be his wiseman forever as Roman acknowledges him. Heyman drops the microphone on the mat after Solo hands it back to him, then leaves.

We hear from The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley). Chris Sabin is angry at Johnny Gargano for throwing away their friendship for the WWE tag titles, and Alex Shelley says that Gargano taught them a lot, and says it will take one shot to get the titles back.

The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) for the WWE Tag Team Championships ends in a no-contest after Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) show up and distracts Chris Sabin only for Los Garza (Angel and Berto) to chase them into the crowd and then into the ring as The Machine Guns have #DIY in a double submission. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) retain the WWE Tag Team Championships.

Backstage, Candice LeRae and Nia Jax wonder where Tiffany Stratton is. Candice says that she is here while Tiffany is gone after what happened last week, and Nia tells Candice to make sure Bianca Belair stays out of her way.

Backstage, Sami Zayn is met by Carmelo Hayes. Carmelo says he had Sami beat until Braun Strowman showed up, but Sami says Carmelo was two seconds away from getting his head kicked in. Carmelo then challenges Sami and Braun to a match before The Usos (Jimmy Uso and "Main Event" Jey Uso) show up, which causes Carmelo to walk away. Sami leaves, then The Usos run into Kevin Owens. Jey tells Owens to watch where he is going, but Owens tells them to watch their backs.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis meets with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and tells him to put his hatred for Kevin Owens aside and think about his future. Cody says he respect Aldis for doing his job, but he is the champion and he has to call his shots. Cody says he welcomes a fight with Drew McIntyre, then says that he will drop Kevin Owens on sight.

Nia Jax retains the WWE Women's Championship against Naomi after Bianca Belair beats up Candice LeRae to keep her from interfering only for Tiffany Stratton to show, feign cashing in, and hitting Naomi with the briefcase to help Nia retain. After the match, Nia goes for the A-Nia-Lator on Naomi, but Tiffany hits Nia with the briefcase and throws Candice out of the ring. Bianca then picks Nia Jax up and hits her with the K.O.D., then Tiffany throws Bianca over the announce table, cashes in for real, and hits the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to become the WWE Women's Champion.

We see a video package for Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa in Tribal Combat next week on Raw.

We hear from The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu). Jacob Fatu talks about how he loves Solo Sikoa and that people are about to find out what happens when they do not acknowledge him, and that Solo will be acknowledged when he beats Roman Reigns in Tribal Combat.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews LA Knight, who says that Shinsuke Nakamura has hell to pay and that next week, he has Nakamura for the United States Championship before setting his sights on the Royal Rumble.

The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu) beat The Usos (Jimmy Uso and "Main Event" Jey Uso) and Sami Zayn in a six-man tag match after tagging himself in to hit Jey Uso with the Samoan Spike after Jey hits Jacob with the Uso Splash.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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