Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for December 26, 2025

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis tells "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes that Drew McIntyre is not here, yet he has signed the contract. He says he has yet to make the public apology, and reminds him of the no physicality clause. Cody leaves, then The Miz wants to know where Joe Hendry is without saying Hendry's name, and tells him to bring him out to the ring with no music. Aldis says he will do that for Hendry and says Hendry's name. Hendry is already in the ring with Otis dressed as Santa Claus, Akira Tozawa dressed as an elf, someone in a bunny suit and four women also dressed as Santa. Hendry sings a Jingle Bells parody where he makes fun of The Miz, the size of Miz's balls, and his Hollywood career. Hendry sings a song where he makes fun of The Miz, the size of Miz's balls, and his Hollywood career. He also mentions that The Miz cannot get win a without Carmelo Hayes and says that Miz has been kicked out of the locker room for half of his career. An angry Miz interrupts, and Hendry chalks that up to the song starting without him. Hendry goes on to state that every time Miz is in a team, he takes all the falls. Miz interrupts again and declares that he is the new locker room leader now that John Cena is gone, then demands that the jokes stop now and demands they have their match now. Nick Aldis shows up and makes the match a Miracle on 34th Street Fight.

Joe Hendry beats The Miz in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight. The person in the bunny suit ends up being R-Truth, who wishes everyone a happy Easter before hitting a Five Knuckle Shuffle.

Backstage, Ilja Dragunov meets with Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) and Carmelo Hayes. Fraxiom lets Dragunov have a word alone with Carmelo, then mentions their tag team win and says their United States title match did not go down well. Carmelo agrees, and Dragunov gives Carmelo his rematch before both men shake hands.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Drew McIntyre, who has just entered the building. McIntyre mentions that he will give "all the answers to the questions" regarding his match with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes before the end of the night.

We hear from Aleister Black. He talks about a man who is so talented that he takes things far beyond his wildest drink and reached the pinnacle, yet for some reason, he decided to give all of himself away. Zelina Vega shows up and says Damien Priest poured his time into everyone else and had everyone take from him. Aleister Black says that man does not descend to violence, he returns to it. Zelina says they broke Priest down to make him do that, but Priest still does not get it. Aleister says that they have their way of changing Priest and reminding him of what he is, but instead of getting a second chance, he will end it.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Jade Cargill. Cargill says that "Michin" Mia Yim is scared and that she could tell from hitting her with a shinai, then says she does not need weapons because she is the weapon. She tells Michin to bring her shinai, for she will need it. Meanwhile, Michin catches up with B-Fab. B-Fab says that being smart and cautious is not dumb, but things can still get bad. Michin says that Jade Cargill is disrespectful and needs to be humbled, and that class will be in session next week.

Charlotte Flair beats Lash Legend with a Sunset Flip after Alexa Bliss gets on top of Nia Jax for getting on the ring apron, which distracts Lash.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis meets with Trick Williams, who is ready to talk business. "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes shows up, and Trick Williams leaves temporarily. Aldis says that Drew McIntyre is in the building, and tells Cody to control his emotions and reminds him of the no physicality clause. Trick comes back and tells Cody to hold on to his title real tight.

We hear from The MFT's (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo). Solo Sikoa says that Uncle Howdy preaches about a family he does not have while he has created his own family, something he says Howdy knows nothing about. He tells Howdy to hold on to the WWE tag titles for as long as he can, as the fireflies are fading away and the lantern is burning dim. He says that The Wyatt Sicks' blood will be on Howdy's hands while the whole world will be in his.

Carmelo Hayes beats Ilja Dragunov to become the WWE United States Champion! After the match, Ilja Dragunov personally places the United States Championship around Carmelo Hayes' waist.

Backstage, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss are met by Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. Rhea mentions their upcoming Women's Tag Team Championship match, and Iyo says the titles will stay with them. Nia Jax, Lash Legend and The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) interrupt, and General Manager Nick Aldis and a referee step out of the background to quell the chaos. Aldis puts all four teams in an eight-woman tag match next week.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Carmelo Hayes. Carmelo says he was delayed was not denied, and thanks Ilja Dragunov for elevating him and the United States Championship. He says the jerseys are going back in the rafters when He is suddenly attacked from behind by Johnny Gargano, who says that Carmelo ruined everything and that he will take everything from him.

Giulia and Kiana James beat Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre.

We see a video package for Oba Femi.

SmackDown goes to three hours next week.

Backstage, Kit Wilson mentions his mission to eliminate toxic masculinity from SmackDown. General Manager Nick Aldis says he will have an opportunity for him next week. Kit leaves, then "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes shows up. After finding out that the Drew McIntyre situation has not changed, McIntyre makes his way to the ring. Cody watches from backstage as Aldis and referee Dan Engler leave the room. After the break, Aldis and Engler are in the ring with McIntyre. Aldis says that things have gone way over the line between Cody and McIntyre, with the attack on Engler sending everything off the rails. McIntyre pays the fine to Aldis, then apologizes to Engler for kicking him in the face, then apologizes to Engler for having to be a referee when he could not make it as a wrestler and apologizes for his wife having to watch him get kicked in the face and wishing she had a husband like him. After calling Engler "a corporate stooge of a father," he dares Engler to hit him. Cody Rhodes gets in the ring, and McIntyre dares Cody to punch him in the face before stating that he wished his family saw him attack him on his tour bus. After saying that he wishes Cody's kids saw what a real father looks, he states that they are taking this to Berlin, Germany, where they will have a Three Stages of Hell Match for the WWE Championship. He then says that when he sends Cody straight to Hell, he tells Cody to say hello to his father for him. Cody moves Aldis out of his way, then McIntyre hits Cody with a Claymore Kick to end the show.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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