Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for December 12, 2025

We hear from General Manager Nick Aldis, who says that bringing Drew McIntyre back has become difficult, as McInytre has returned none of his calls. He gives Drew McIntyre an invitation to come to SmackDown so they can come to a resolution to bring him back. Backstage, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is met by Aldis, who tells him that he has a document where McIntyre has declared SmackDown an unsafe working environment. Aldis also states that he is heading straight to McIntyre's home in order to come to a resolution. Cody wads it up and throws it to the floor on the way to the ring to start tonight's show. In the ring, Cody brings up McIntyre's claims of SmackDown being an unsafe working environment, and says that McIntyre is in the position he is in because he is "half in," and if he were McIntyre's boss, he would fire him. Since he cannot fire McIntyre, however, he can whip his ass. All of a sudden, Oba Femi shows up and heads to the ring. Oba notes that Cody is all fired up, but tells Cody that he should be worried about him instead of McIntyre before introducing himself. He notes that their match at Saturday Night's Main Event is being viewed as "present vs. future," then says that the future is now and here and it is him. He says that Cody's time is up, and his time is now. Cody notes their mutual respect for John Cena before telling Oba that he beat Cena for the WWE Championship. Oba stops Cody on his way out, and both men raise their respective titles in a brief staredown.

Backstage, Fraxiom meet up with Ilja Dragunov, telling him that they will have his back in case #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae) gets involved. Dragunov appreciates but rejects the assistance, saying he must do in the painful but honest way. He says he will put Ciampa in his place, and he must do it alone. Dragunov states that John Cena never gave up and never backed down, and that Ciampa will learn that pain will entertain him if he messes with him.

Ilja Dragunov retains the WWE United States Championship against Tommaso Ciampa despite the interference of Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. After the match, Gargano and Ciamapa gang up on Dragunov, then Carmelo Hayes runs into the ring and fights off both of them, sending them into a retreat. He then helps Dragunov up.

We see an John Cena interview snippet about what is next. Cena says he will be an ambassador for WWE for the next five years.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Je'Von Evans. Je'Von says that he is on the biggest stage of his career, but he will not be there alone. All of a sudden, The Miz shows up, saying he should be the one being interviewed. Je'Von not only reminds Miz that he blew his chances to face Cena, then challenges to a match. Miz tells him that if he injures him, he will not make it to Saturday. We then see a message from Uncle Howdy saying "We're here."

The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross) head to the ring. Uncle Howdy addresses Solo Sikoa and his claims from last week, saying he has discredited him and his family before asking who Solo is to pass judgment. He says Solo does not have the power to look within himself, but The Wyatt Sicks do. He says that Solo's real family has all turned their backs on him, as he used and abused those who claimed to love him. He says that Solo is disillusioned and out of his mind, saying that The MFT's (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo) run SmackDown. Howdy tells Solo to rip the scales from his eyes, as The MFT's run nothing while The Wyatt Sicks hold the WWE Tag Team Championships. He states that if The MFT's want the titles, then they can come and get them. The MFT's show up on the TitanTron, with Solo stating that he, not Uncle Howdy, calls the shots, and this time, they will do things his way. Next week, they will come to take the titles, and tells The Wyatt Sicks to be ready for war. He says that if Uncle Howdy wants to keep his family safe, then he should give The MFT's the tag team titles, or else all he can do is run.

Backstage, Charlotte Flair warns Alexa Bliss to be careful against Lash Legend on their road back to the women's tag titles. Rhea Ripley shows up and makes it known that she and Iyo want the women's tag titles, but Alexa says that she and Charlotte do not step aside for anyone.

Tom Brady, Snoop Dogg, Peyton Manning, Jelly Roll and Jimmy Fallon, all congratulate John Cena for his retirement and incredible career.

Sol Ruca and Bayley are seen in the crowd.

Lash Legend beats Alexa Bliss after hitting Charlotte Flair on the outside with a pump kick for taking out Nia Jax.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Aleister Black and Zelian Vega. Zelina says it did not have to come to this, but Damian Priest does not like the man that he is and that Rhea Ripley will not make him whole. Aleister says that if Priest is so keen to drag his friends to Hell with him, then so be it.

It is announced that SmackDown goes back to three hours on January 2nd.

Je'Von Evans beats The Miz.

Backstage, Rhea Ripley is met by Nia Jax and Lash Legend. They put Rhea on notice, but Rhea is not threatened and says Nia has been brave since she got backup. She warns Nia that she is a problem that she will not solve. Nia and Lash leave. Damian Priest shows up, saying he needs this energy in the ring. He leaves, then Jade Cargill shows up and looks at Rhea briefly before heading to the ring.

We hear from "Michin" Mia Yim, who says that Jade Cargill has been picking on the women's division and that it pisses her off, and says that while Jade will give her all that she has got, she will do the same to Jade. Suddenly, Jade Cargill attacks Michin before heading to the ring. Jade Cargill says that this is what happens women do not know their place in the back, then says that anyone can step up and get stepped on. Michin shows up with a shinai in her hand and officials behind her, and Michin smacks Cargill with the shinai. Cargill hits Michin with a pump kick, then hits her with a choke slam back in the ring.

We see a video package for Oba Femi.

Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley beat Aleister Black and Zelina Vega.

Here are the highlights for tonight's show!

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