12/25/18 Smackdown Recap for the Christmas edition

R-Truth and Carmella came out to start SmackDown. Truth was dressed as Santa Claus and Carmella as an Elf. The entrance is decorated with Christmas Trees and presents. There are also Christmas trees and presents around ringside. Truth welcomed everyone to a special Christmas Edition of SmackDown. Truth started naming the reindeer but then started naming the Jackson Family. They broke into a carol break.

WWE Champion Daniel Bryan came out and was upset that he’s here and not with his family. He revealed that this isn’t the real Santa Claus. He started yelling “Fickle” at Truth and Carmella. He’s here to expose the real Santa Claus. He noted the people’s obsession with materialistic products damaged the environment. He said in 20 years there would be no North Pole and no Santa Claus.

Truth called Bryan an angry little elf. Bryan called Truth’s career a joke. Truth said it might be but he’s going to be number 30 in the Royal Rumble. He noted he might be the one to beat Bryan for the belt if he’s still champion at WrestleMania. Bryan asked how Truth could win the Rumble if he’s can’t count to 30. Truth started counting to prove he can. He got to 7 and they broke into a dance break.

Bryan jumped Truth and attacked his leg. He rammed Truth’s leg against the ring post. Bryan then locked on the heel hook and continued the beat down.

Mustafa Ali defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas (w/Zelina Vega)

Almas jumped Ali with a drop kick to start to match. Almas had the early advantage until he missed a charge in the corner. Ali fought back and caught Almas with a hurricanrana.

Almas shoved Ali off the second turnbuckle to the floor to take over. During the commercial break, Almas was firmly in control and scored a near fall. They traded chops in the center of the ring.

Ali hit the rolling DDT for a near fall. Ali missed a super kick and Almas took over with a back elbow. Almas caught Ali in the tree of woe and hit a double foot stomp off the top for a near fall. Ali and Almas fought on the top rope. Ali attempted a sunset flip powerbomb but Almas landed on his feet. Almas missed the double knees in the corner and Ali hit a tornado DDT. He then hit the 054 for the win.

The Usos and Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows defeated The Bar and SAnitY (w/Eric Young)

The New Day joined on commentary for the match. They had their own Christmas themed announce table.

The babyfaces were in control early. The heels took over when Eric Young distracted Jimmy and Killen Dain nailed him with a cross body. The heels isolated Jimmy on their side of the ring. Gallows got the hot tag and ran wild. The Usos took out SAnitY with super kicks. Finish came when Gallows and Anderson hit the Magic Killer on Cesaro for the win.

A video aired for the upcoming debuts of some new faces. This included Lars Sullivan, Lacy Evans, Heavy Machinery, Nikki Cross and EC3.

Backstage, Mustafa Ali was walking in the back. Brian Kendrick, Akira Tozawa and Cedric Alexander congratulated him. Shelton Benjamin officially welcomed Ali to SmackDown. Daniel Bryan then jumped Ali from behind. He kept yelling that Ali doesn’t deserve to be on SmackDown as he beat him down.

Backstage, Mustafa Ali was walking in the back. Brian Kendrick, Akira Tozawa and Cedric Alexander congratulated him. Shelton Benjamin officially welcomed Ali to SmackDown. Daniel Bryan then jumped Ali from behind. He kept yelling that Ali doesn’t deserve to be on SmackDown as he beat him down.

Samoa Joe defeated Jeff Hardy

Joe had early advantage and worked over Hardy. Hardy fought back and scored a two count. Joe slowed the pace down and locked on an abdominal stretch. Hardy fought back and hit a drop kick for a two count. Hardy hit the whisper in the wind for a near fall but Joe grabbed the bottom rope. Hardy hit the twist of fate and went up for the Swanton Bomb.

Joe rolled out of the ring to the floor. Hardy caught Joe with a clothesline off the apron. Hardy attacked Joe with knees on the floor. He wouldn’t stop so the referee stopped the match. Hardy threw Joe over the announce table. Joe fought back and choked out Hardy with the Coquina Clutch.

In the back, Shinsuke Nakamura said Rusev’s been naughty this year. The only thing he’s going to get is a knee to the face.

Rusev (w/Lana) defeated United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura to win the title

Rusev was in control early and went for a slam. Nakamura countered into an armbar but Rusev slipped out. Back from commercial, Nakamura was firmly in control. Nakamura missed a knee and Rusev took over. Rusev hit a back suplex for a near fall. Nakamura regained control with a kick to the back of the head. He followed up with a running knee for a near fall. Rusev tried to suplex Nakamura to the floor. Nakamura fought out and drop kicked Rusev to the floor instead.

Nakamura rocked Rusev with a series of knees. He slowed the pace down with a front face lock. Rusev fought out and tossed Nakamura across the ring. Nakamura fired back with stiff kicks. Rusev fired up and made a comeback. He hit a fall away slam, splash in the corner and spinning heel kick for a near fall. He rocked Nakamura with a kick to the side of the head for a two count.

Nakamura regained control on the floor. He sent Rusev into the steps and announce table. Nakamura set up for the Kinshasa but Rusev hit the Machka kick for a very close near fall. Rusev went for the Accolade but Nakamura reversed into the triangle submission. Rusev powered out and slammed Nakamura down.

Nakamura regained control and set up for the Kinshasa. Rusev missed the Machka kick. He rocked Nakamura with a clothesline and then hit the Machka kick to win the United States Championship.

Backstage, AJ Styles entered Vince McMahon’s office. McMahon asked him what his name is and who is he. Styles noted he’s a former two-time WWE Champion and SmackDown is the House AJ Styles built. McMahon wondered why he’s walking in the back while Daniel Bryan is raising hell.

McMahon noted some stars make their money and go home. He knows Styles isn’t like that. He’s more like McMahon. He noted Styles has a tortured soul. There’s an animal inside of Styles begging to come out.

McMahon wants to see that animal and he slapped Styles. Styles snapped and he attacked McMahon. He hit him and knocked him to the ground. Referees and officials came in and pulled Styles out. The referee checked on McMahon. He said he’s good as he lay on the floor.

Next Week: John Cena returns on the New Years Day SmackDown. Plus, The New Day hosts a special New Day New Year’s Celebration.

Source: Wrestlingobserver.com