WWE SmackDown Results 12/26 - Drew McIntyre Returns, US Open Challenge Continues, Joe Hendry Appears, And More!

Welcome to Wrestling Inc.'s results for the final "WWE SmackDown" of 2025, coming to you from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on a lovely December 26, 2025 evening! Heat up your Christmas leftovers, put on your new pair of cozy pajamas, and get ready for an action-packed card to play this spectacular year out.

Drew McIntyre has had a less than jolly season after WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes invaded his home mere days before last week's December 19 episode of "SmackDown." While McIntyre was absent from WWE programming following the home break-in and subsequent brawl, "The Scottish Psychopath" is back with a vengeance. With the lines between in-ring competition and out-of-ring animosity now blurred beyond recognition, just what will McIntyre do in order to get his revenge against Rhodes in this rivalry-turned-blood feud?

Speaking of feuds, The Miz is out to reclaim his honor after receiving a Ten-Knuckle Shuffle at "Saturday Night's Main Event," courtesy of R-Truth and Joe Hendry! Grand Rapids will be chanting the name of the former TNA World Champion as he appears to take on the former WWE world titleholder in singles action. While this is looking to be a typical one-on-one affair, The Miz is notorious for bending the rules in order to come out with a win. Will the new-age Hendry be able to withstand the veteran Miz's underhanded tactics, or will Hendry's viral moments crumble under The Miz's tried-and-true tenacity?

In the vein of tried-and-true tenacity, United States Champion Ilja Dragunov is set to defend his title in yet another installation of his Open Challenge series. So far, he has defended his title against the likes of Tommaso Ciampa, J.D. McDonagh, both halves of Fraxiom, Carmelo Hayes, and others. Dragunov has mostly been able to steer clear of controversy and repeat challengers during his time as United States Champion, but recently defeated challengers Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candace LeRae may not be done with him just yet. Who can Dragunov rely on to even the numbers, or will "The Mad Dragon" be faced with the impossible-to-win numbers game to end 2025?

And so it begins! We meet Cody Rhodes and Nick Aldis in the backstage area, where Aldis reminds Rhodes of McIntyre's imminent arrival and the consequences that should befall Rhodes if he lays a hand on McIntyre. Rhodes leaves with little protest, and Aldis interacts with The Miz ahead of his match with Joe Hendry.

Joe Hendry begins the segment with a song, surrounded by Otis, Akira Tozawa, and several figures in Santa get-up (with a surprise appearance from the Easter Bunny). The Miz makes his appearance, and he is irate as Grand Rapids joins Hendry in a tiny balls parody of "Jingle Bells."

The Miz takes great offense to Hendry's disrespectful tune, and claims that, given that John Cena has retired, he reserves the right to be the locker room leader. Before he can say much else, Nick Aldis appears, and announces that Miz and Hendry's match will now be a "Miracle of 34th Street Fight."

The match begins with Tozawa, Otis, and the Easter Bunny at ringside as The Miz tries to overwhelm Hendry with a leglock on his neck. Hendry kips up and out of the lock before flashing his signature grin at the Miz. Hendry locks in a considerable amount of airtime on The Miz as he suspends him in a Stalling Suplex. Upon impact, The Miz rolls out of the ring, and Hendry follows.

The two men unsheathe presents, with Hendry finding a full-sized guitar while The Miz finds a ukelele, followed by two, small, suggestive blue ornaments. Undeterred, The Miz attempts to overwhelm Hendry, but the much larger Scot tosses The Miz into one of the ringside Christmas trees. Hendry's next gift is underneath the ring, where he finds a table with a holiday bow placed onto it. Hendry brings the table into the ring to set up.

The Miz follows Hendry in and attempts to get him with a roll-up, but Hendry kicks out. The Miz goes for a Skull-Crushing FInale through the table, but Hendry avoids that as well. The Miz gets tossed out of the ring, but before he can re-enter the squared circle, Hendry masterfully slides out of the ring to stand alongside Tozawa and Co. The Miz rages as the show cuts to commercial.

Back from commercial, and both Hendry and The Miz are back in the ring. Hendry lays The Miz out with a Lariat before commanding Otis and Tozawa to give him the ringside Christmas tree from earlier. Hendry lays The Miz out with it twice before slamming him into the center of the ring. Hendry's found his stride following a kip-up, and he suplexes the tree into The Miz for good measure. He riles the crowd up with his signature grin at the camera before conducting a stomp and clap sequence. The Miz attempts to get the jump on him, but Hendry banishes him to the outside.

Tozawa offers an irate Miz a tray of cookies, to which the former world titleholder knocks them out of his hands and levels him with a Big Boot. The Easter Bunny looks to exact revenge on Tozawa, but The Miz clocks him with a gift-wrapped kendo stick. The Miz tries to get one on Otis, but Otis intercepts him, and allows for Hendry to send the kendo stick straight into The Miz's private area.

The Miz gets back in the ring, where he is surrounded by Hendry, Otis, Tozawa, and the Easter Bunny. The Miz pleads for mercy before trying to go for Hendry, only to be met with another Fallaway Slam. It's Otis' turn, and he shakes the ring with an impressive Worm before flattening The Miz with a Clothesline. Tozawa goes for the Senton, and the Easter Bunny reveals himself to be...R-Truth! R-Truth clocks The Miz with the Five-Knuckle Shuffle before The Miz finds himself at the receiving end of a guitar strike from Hendry. From there, Hendry puts The Miz through the table with a Chokeslam for the 3-count.

Winner: Joe Hendry!

All four gentlemen wave their hands with Grand Rapids to end the segment.

Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Lash Legend, and Nia Jax are in the building ahead of Flair and Legend's clash later in the evening. Drew McIntyre enters the building, and promises Cathy Kelly that he will reveal his chosen stipulation for his match with WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes after a short nap. We cut to a video package featuring Aleister Black and Zelina Vega, where a match for next week's "SmackDown" seems to be brewing. 

Bryon Saxton interviews Jade Cargill in the back, where Cargill threatens to stomp a hole through WWE Women Championship contender Michin's chest. A backstage segment between BFab and Michin follows, where Michin expresses her desire to humble Cargill in their upcoming championship match.

Both women make their entrances!

The bell rings, and both women taunt each other for a bit before locking up. Legend looks to be putting on an impressive showcase against Flair's signature strength, and she overwhelms "The Queen" with a slam to open the match. Flair responds with a single, brutal chop, before Legend lays her out with a Clothesline. Legend sends Flair into multiple corners, and when Flair manages to escape the predicament, Legend comes back in full force with an Uppercut to ground the fourteen-time world champion once more.

Flair tries to gain a match advantage by using her long legs to strike Legend, but Legend lays Flair out with a Spinebuster in response. "The Bougee Bully" lives up to her moniker as she picks Flair up, puts her head and neck in between the ropes, and jostles her around carelessly. The following pinfall attempt is unsuccessful, but Flair looks rocked as Legend shakes her head at the minor inconvenience.

Legend continues to dominate with a headlock, and Flair is flailing as Bliss watches on. A punch to Legend's side is the momentum Flair needs to stage a comeback, and after a Big Boot from the apron, Flair lays Legend out with a top-rope Crossbody. Legend flails and hops as Flair lays out the family heirloom chops to her, and she looks to follow it up with a Cartwheel Clothesline...only to be plucked out of midair by a Big Boot from Legend. 

Legend looks to set Flair up for a Powerbomb, but Flair wrestles her way to reverse it into a pin cover instead. Legend kicks out, but looks to be bothered by her elbow as she fails to capitalize on a Lash Extension. Flair turns Legends' lights out with a DDT, and looks to head to the top rope! Her Moonsault connects, and it's one, two — and a kickout from Legend!

Flair hardly locks in the Figure Four leglock before Legend strikes her, and Flair's second attempt is even less successful as Nia Jax leaps onto the apron to distract Flair. Flair gets back to work as Bliss rushes over to put a sleeperhold onto Jax, which allows for Flair to dodge a corner Spear from Legend. The dodge allows for "The Queen" to score a roll-up victory onto "The Bougee Bully."

Winner: Charlotte Flair!

We cut to the back, where we see Trick Williams attempting to bargain with Nick Aldis for a lucrative "SmackDown" contract. Cody Rhodes ushers him out, and begins talking back to Aldis once more. Rhodes begins to get fired up, to which Aldis reminds him of the stipulation: should Rhodes lose his temper and lay his hands on McIntyre, he will be stripped of the title. Williams comes back to boast his accolades in front of Rhodes, to which Rhodes merely nods his head before leaving. 

Dragunov's next United States Championship competitor is revealed to be Carmelo Hayes! Dragunov makes his entrance first, and Hayes follows.

Neither challenger nor champion waste any time! The two exchange right hands to start the contest, and Dragunov is quick to get Hayes in for some chops. Hayes responds by following Dragunov into a corner, where he gets some chops and stomps of his own in. Dragunov responds with his signature passion, and gets some strikes onto Hayes before countering a forearm with a springy Enzuiguri!

That Suplex from Dragunov would have knocked the wind out of anyone else, but not Hayes. Hayes eats two bouncy Suplexes from "The Mad Dragon," but still continues to fight and strike at the champion. There's not much separating this contest from an all-out brawl as Dragunov looks for a third Suplex. Hayes blocks, and Dragunov transitions into a lock, where he can lay ruthless elbows onto the back of Hayes' neck. Dragunov hoists Hayes up for a Modified Suplex, and after fighting it, Hayes eventually goes down.

Dragunov continues to put the pressure on Hayes with some brutal corner chops and stomps. Hayes looks to temporarily weather Dragunov's harsh stomp-based offense, and does so. He responds with forearm strikes and chops of his own before temporarily sending Dragunov to the pearly gates with a brutal Clothesline. 

Dragunov looks to strike Hayes, but the agile former NXT star gets Dragunov with a Springboard Flying Cutter. He looks to capitalize, but Dragunov tries to decapitate him with a running Knee Strike! Hayes kicks out at two, and Dragunov is forced to ascend to the top rope. He looks to land a Senton, but nobody's home!

Hayes takes advantage of the situation to bring Dragunov tumbling down with a DDT, but he cannot secure the two-count! Hayes' chest is beginning to show welts, but he is undeterred. He lays down a variety of stomps, strikes, and chops to a hungry Dragunov, who returns them with enthusiasm.

Dragunov looks to be going for a H-Bomb, but Hayes plucks him out of midair with an Enzuiguri! Hayes goes for a Springboard DDT, and looks for the one, two — so close! Dragunov kicks out at the last minute. Dragunov is rocked, and Hayes smells blood in the water as he goes to the top rope. He goes for Nothing but Net, but Dragunov dodges. Hayes attempts another Springboard move, but Dragunov follows him, and ricochets off the ropes to deliver a gnarly clothesline. Dragunov goes for the Senton again, and he just clips Hayes. "The Mad Dragon" is stunned at the subsequent kickout, and for the first time in a while, Dragunov begins to lose his composure.

Dragunov is forced into deep waters as he pulls down the kneepad of his unbraced leg. Hayes, however, doesn't let the threat stop him, and looks for the First 48. Dragunov catches him, and hoists him up onto the top rope. Dragunov nearly takes Hayes' head off with a disrespectful choke-and-slap, and Hayes is fired up. He reigns rights onto Dragunov before sending him off the top rope with a headbutt, and he's looking to dive!

Dragunov catches him with an Enzuiguri, and Hayes' soul might have left his body! Both men are down! Once they get up, they take a trip onto the apron before Dragunov scores a huge Top-Rope Superplex onto Hayes. He looks to land the H-Bomb, but Hayes gets his knees up just in time! Dragunov responds with a stomp to the face before laying out Hayes with a haphazard slam, but by some Christmas miracle, Hayes kicks out!

Frustration begins to bleed into Dragunov's performance, as he wails on a near-unresponsive Hayes with several chops to the chest. Dragunov looks for a second Superplex, but Hayes shifts it into a cutter to send Grand Rapids into a flurry of screams! Surely, that should do it: one, two — Dragunov kicks out!

After a brief moment of mourning, Hayes tries to go for an Apron DDT onto Dragunov, but Dragunov blocks and hoists Hayes into a Fireman's Carry. Hayes fights out, and the two exchange chops and headbutts before Dragunov goes for the Fireman's Carry again. A trip into the apron just barely kills Hayes as Dragunov gives him a kiss before attempting a Coast to Coast...

And Hayes catches him for the First 48! It is nothing but a Christmas miracle as Hayes tumbles out of the ring and onto the top rope for Nothing but Net! It connects, and Hayes folds Dragunov up for one, two, three!

Winner (and NEW United States Champion): Carmelo Hayes!

The former and new champion face off. Dragunov aggressively bats Hayes' hands away from his face, and puts the title onto Hayes. Dragunov passionately shows Grand Rapids, and the WWE Universe, their new United States Champion before leaving Hayes to have his moment. Hayes hugs his title on the top rope as the segment ends.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss meet up with a visiting RHIYO to discuss the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. Lash Legend and Nia Jax interfere, and The Kabuki Warriors jump in as the conversation turns into a screaming match around Nick Aldis! Aldis announces an Eight-Woman Tag Team Match for next week's episode of "WWE SmackDown," for all eight women to vent out their "intense dislike" for each other. Rhea Ripley comments that she holds more than an "intense dislike," and shoves Kairi Sane's head. WWE security try to break up an unfolding brawl as Chelsea Green makes her entrance for a tag team match.

The Secret Hervice make their entrance, and while Grand Rapids wait patiently for Giulia and Kiana James, we cut to a backstage segment. Cathy Kelly attempts to interview Hayes about his title win, but before Hayes can relish in his moment, he is attacked backstage by Johnny Gargano! Giulia and James make their entrance back in front of the crowd, and the match gets underway.

James and Green lock up first, with the two women screeching as their lock-up goes from neck to hair. Green shoves James first before James shoves back, and Green strikes James with a slap for her trouble. They exchange roll-up pin for roll-up pin attempts, and James begins to put thepressure on the Women's United States Champion with some arm work. James manages to get the tag to Giulia, and Green dashes to tag Fyre in. Giulia demands Green, but Green avoids her. Giulia refuses to fight Fyre, and tags in James.

Fyre looks for a Springboard DDT, but James' incredible strength allows James to stop the former NXT UK Women's Champion mid-move and back her into a corner. The mid-rope spear looks brutal as James begins to taunt Green. James looks for the Superkick, but Fyre beats her to the strike and responds with a Superkick of her own. Fyre finally lands the Springboard DDT before tagging in Green, who takes advantage of Fyre's offense to wear down the opposition.

Giulia is chomping at the bit to get to Green, and James knows it! She makes the tag to Giulia as Green taunts the crowd, and Giulia wastes no time grabbing a fistful of Green's hair! She haphazardly tosses Green around the ring before neutralizing Fyre on the outside. 

Giulia's running knee strike into the corner is followed up by a nasty Suplex to the center of the ring! Green is rocked as Giulia lands a powerful Missle Dropkick, and even with Fyre's interference, Giulia looks strong. Giulia gets Green up for a Northern Lights Bomb, and boasts a bit of airtime on the hold before slamming Green down for a disrespectful three-count.

Winners: Giulia and Kiana James!

Drew McIntyre has woken up from his nap, just in time for the main event! He makes his entrance as a seething Cody Rhodes watches on from the backstage area.

Nick Aldis begins the segment by acknowledging the shortcomings between McIntyre and Rhodes. Both men have been aggressive and out-of-line, Aldis claimed, but McIntyre crossed the line first when he assaulted referee Dan Engler.

McIntyre pays Aldis his fine. He turns his attention to referee Engler.

"Dan, I'm genuinely sorry I Claymore'd you in the face," McIntyre somberly announces. "It's been keeping me up for weeks. No matter what happened, or what you did, I should have never attacked a WWE official, so please accept my humblest apology."

Engler accepts the apology, and Aldis thanks him for his sincerity. McIntyre acknowledges that it wasn't easy to apologize to Engler, but out of the goodness of his heart, McIntyre continues. He says that he is sorry that Engler couldn't achieve his dreams of being in-ring talent, and, in an act of sincerity, squats down to Engler's eye level. McIntyre apologizes to Engler's wife, Melissa, and apologizes that he set an impossibly masculine standard that Dan Engler is not able to accomplish. He calls Engler a cowardly, corporate stooge, and expresses his sympathy for Engler's children. He attempts to goad Engler into hitting him, but Cody Rhodes apologizes. A dastardly smile spreads across McIntyre's features.

Rhodes makes his entrance, and powerwalks his way to the ring. Aldis cautions Rhodes against striking McIntyre, but McIntyre says Rhodes "wants to hit [him] so bad." He invokes Rhodes' allegiance to the WWE Universe, and attempts to use their reactions to tempt Rhodes into striking him.

"Grand Rapids, Michigan!" McIntyre shouts. "Do you want to see Cody Rhodes punch me in the face right now!"

When Rhodes doesn't bite, McIntyre pokes fun at his sensibilities. He compares Rhodes' tears to that of a teenage girl, and begins to speak ill of Rhodes' family. Aldis holds Rhodes back in a bear hug from behind as Engler watches. Rhodes shouts back at McIntyre, but McIntyre's microphone amplifies his voice over the champion's.

"How about this? Drew McIntyre against Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship," McIntyre growls. "Three Stages of Hell."

Rhodes barks out his agreement. McIntyre makes the challenge for Berlin, and says that, when he sends Rhodes to hell, the champion should say hello to his father.

Rhodes cannot hold himself back! He backs Aldis into the corner turnbuckle and begins to lunge at McIntyre, but before he can make contact, he eats a nasty Claymore from the challenger! The show ends with McIntyre hoisting Rhodes' title above for all to see before walking away to end the final "SmackDown"of 2025.