WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - December 20th, 2024

[Kemo]

Naomi helps Bianca Belair defend the WWE Women's Tag Title against Nia Jax and Candice LeRae

The WWE Women's Tag Team Title will be on the line when Bianca Belair and Naomi battle Candice LeRae and WWE Women's Champion, Nia Jax. With Jade Cargill unable to compete, Belair enlisted Naomi to help her so The EST isn't forced to relinquish her title. Tiffany Stratton's loss in the Women's United States Title Tournament caused a riff in her friendship with Jax and LeRae, leading to The Poison Pixie getting the match made for herself and Jax. Can the new team of Belair and Naomi get the job done or will Jax and LeRae walk away the new Women's Tag Team Champions?

Your announcers are Michael Cole and Corey Graves.

We start off with a look back at Saturday Night's Main Event, and what happened after the show went off the air.

We see many tag teams walking through different parts of the arena.

Solo Sikoa makes his way to the ring with Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga and they are dressed for a match.

Solo wants the show to acknowledge him.

Solo says Roman sat on his little boat and with Paul Heyman and challenged him to a Tribal Combat match for the Ula Fala on Raw on the Netflix debut. He tells everyone to shut up and listen to him, so it means everyone makes more noise. He says if Roman wants to challenge him to a Tribal Combat match and take him to war? Let's do it. Solo says he will leave his Bloodline behind and you leave your Bloodline behind. He tells Roman to listen up. He is walking in and walking out as the Tribal Chief. On January 6th, he is still going to be the head of the table. He says he will still be your Tribal Chief. He will still have the Ula Fala.

After I beat your ass on January 6th, you can hop back on your little boat and sail off to the Island of Irrelevancy and you can finally acknowledge him.

Drew McIntyre's music plays and he makes his way to the ring.

Solo tells Drew he was happy when you kicked his brother Jimmy in the face last week, but you better have a damn good reason why you are interrupting him.

Drew says he will make it quick because it makes him physically sick to be this close without beating you within an inch of your life. What about what I did to Jimmy, Jey, and Sami. Are you laying in bed each night wondering when Drew is coming for you? You were the one who cost him at Clash at the Castle. You caused my family pain and suffering. You are the one who stood up to Roman Reigns. The only one in your family to have the balls to stand up to Roman. The rest of them acted tough and when Roman snapped his fingers he didn't change. Drew wonders what is he to do.

Drew says he starts working through his hit list and taking out more Bloodline people. He wants Solo to take out Roman for good. Once that is finished, then we finish our business.

Jimmy pulls Drew to the floor and he hits Drew with his crutch. Jimmy sends Drew over the ringside barrier into the time keeper's area.

Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, and Tama Tonga vs LA Knight, Andrade, and Apollo Crews

All six men brawl and Solo, Jacob, and Tama are sent to the floor.

We go to commercial.

The match is joined in progress and Crews with a drop kick to Tama followed by a press and he drops Tama behind him. Knight tags in and connects with a forearm. Knight with punches. Knight with a swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Andrade tags in and he kicks Tama and follows with a chop. Andrade with a front face lock and he tags in Crews. They hit a double back elbow and Crews gets a near fall. Crews punches Tama and tags in Andrade. Andrade with a punch but Tama punches back. Andrade with a head scissors to send Tama to the floor. Fatu charges and goes over the top rope to the floor. Andrade with a moonsault onto Fatu while Crews hits a plancha onto Tama. Knight stands on the turnbuckles for Solo to do something.

Crews sets for a suplex and Tama with a punch and waist lock. Crews with a back elbow and Fatu tags in and hits a flying back elbow.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Solo with a back elbow to Crews. Solo with a head butt. Crews punches Solo and tries to make the tag but Solo holds him back and sends him into his corner. Fatu tags in and he slams Crews. Both men are down and Andrade tags in and he knocks Tama off the apron. Andrade with forearms and a flying forearm to Fatu. Andrade sets for the running double knee strike and hits it. Andrade gets a near fall. Andrade goes up top for a moonsault and Fatu moves but Andrade hits the Andradesault for a near fall. Andrade with forearms and a kick. Fatu wants more and he hot shots Andrade on the top rope with some help from Solo. Solo sends Andrade into the ring post.

Solo gets his ula fala and hands it back to person guarding it.

Fatu with a pop up Samoan drop. Fatu sets for the running hip into the corner and connects. Solo tags in and Solo hits a running hip. Tama tags in and hits a slingshot splash for a near fall. Tama with punches and elbows. Tama punches Andrade in the corner and tags in Fatu. Tam with a splash into the corner with some help from Fatu. Fatu with a nerve hold on Andrade. Andrade with elbows but Fatu with a head butt. Fatu punches Andrade. Fatu sets for a running hip into the corner but Andrade moves and Fatu hits the turnbuckles. Fatu stops Andrade but Andrade with an enzuigiri and Knight tags in along with Tama. Knight with a clothesline and kicks. Knight clotheslines Fatu on the apron and then hits a runnng knee to the head. Solo with an Irish whip but he misses a splash. Knight with a neck breaker to Solo.

Crwews tags in and KNight with a belly-to-back suplex and Crews with a splash for a near fall. Knight sends Fatu over the announce table while Crews has Tama in a cross face. Nakamura with a knee to Knight.

Solo breaks up the cross face and then Solo takes care of Andrade. Solo tags in and he hits a running hip to Crews and follows with a uranage and Samoan Spike for the three count.

Winners: Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga


Backstage:
Byron is in the back with Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. Byron asks about his match against former friend Johnny Gargano. Alex says he has one thought. Payback. That is it. Chris says they have known Johnny for 20 years and he finally drops the mask. Alex says he will make sure Johnny made the worst mistake. He tells Chris he has this on his own and he hopes that Johnny will do the same.

We take a look back at more highlights from Saturday Night's Main Event.

After Saturday Night's Main Event:
We go to Byron with Chelsea and Piper after her victory. He asks her about being announced as the champion. Green puts her gum in Byron's hand and she says she knew it was going to happen. She says worked her entire career to be an overnight success. She tells Brian to say 'red, white, and green' with her. Brian asks about how it feels to be like Harley Race. Green says she is in the history books, where she belongs. Now is the time, Brian. Green says she is going to Disneyland and she wants this wrapped up.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look at everything involving Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens at Saturday Night's Main Event.

Corey mentions that Cody was stretchered out of the arena and was taken to a hospital. He suffered no fractures and he is back home.

Video package:
Kevin says that what happened after Saturday Night's Main Event was not his fault. There are a lot of people to blame for it. Cody Rhodes, the referees, Nick Aldis, WWE Management. They are all to blame. Kevin says he was screwed out of the championship. What happened to him was a travesty and a tragedy. He should be the Undisputed Champion, but he is not. Cody says he took the title because he deserves it. He won't give it back until he gets what he wants. You can only push a man so much until he snaps.

Kevin says the good news is that he hasn't snapped yet. It could get much worse. You don't want him to snap. Kevin says what happens next is on all of you.


The ring is being set up for the Grayson Waller Effect.

We go to commercial

Backstage:
We are back and Ciampa and Gargano are in the back and Ciampa says Shelley must be dumb to want revenge when the titles aren't on the line. Gargano says he cannot believe Alex is questioning his manhood. Johnny says he would like Ciampa to stay in the back and he will show Alex that he is Johnny Wrestling.

The Waller Effect:
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory are in the ring for the Grayson Waller Effect.

Waller says he gets scoop after scoop and tonight is a big one. He says his guest is the first transfer to Smackdown. He brings out Braun Strowman.

Braun is dressed like Santa with Muscles and he is bearing gifts.

Waller says it is nice that Braun is helping out the poor people of Hartford and Braun says that is not how Waller wants this to go this way.

Waller says he invested a lot on the new set and they can have a simple conversation and no physicality.

Waller says Braun is intimidating because you know the benefit of associating with them.

Braun says he threw up in his mouth.

Waller says there is a lot going on with people being attacked. He suggests setting up the Ultimate Alliance. Braun and A Town Down Under. Picture their cunning and intelligence and Braun's strength. The Brain and the Braun.

Carmelo Hayes interrupts and he makes his way to the ring.

Hayes says he has a bone to pick. Nick Aldis thought he would humble Hayes and Hayes was not ready. Hayes says you cannot humble greatness. He might lose, but he won't quit. He tells the Santa Claus looking bitch to go right now.

Braun says he will show the Braun Strowman Effect.

Braun throws a fake tree at Hayes and then a second one.

We go to commercial.


Braun Strowman vs Carmelo Hayes

Braun is chuckling at Hayes and Hayes with a kick to the back of the leg and Braun wonders what hit him. Hayes goes into the ropes to avoid Braun. Hayes goes into the ropes again to avoid Braun. Hayes with a slap and Braun blocks an Irish whip. Hayes goes to the floor and says that he is too smart. Braun decides it is wacky lap time while Hayes is not watching but Hayes runs away. Hayes kicks Braun in the ropes and hits a springboard back senton to Braun in the ropes. Hayes with knees but Braun pushes Hayes away and to the floor. Braun picks Hayes up and biels him into the ring. Hayes with a drop kick to the knee and Braun catches Hayes by the throat on a springboard move.

Hayes counters a choke slam with a DDT. Hayes plays to the crowd while the announcer suggest he do something else. Braun goes over the top rope to the floor when Hayes ducks. Hayes goes to the floor for a wacky run into a boot to the chest. Braun catches Hayes off the steps and the referee continues her coutn and Braun throws Hayes over the top rope into the ring on nine and Braun is still on the floor.

Winner: Carmelo Hayes (by count out)

After the match:
Braun chases Hayes to the back at a casual jog.


Backstage:
Nia and Candice are in BACK and Tiffany shows up to wish them luck and she says she is looking forward to being at ringside when they win. Candice says they talked about Tiffy staying in back. She can take some notes and prepare for the celebration. Candice says they are going to strategize and Tiffany walks away.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Carmelo Hayes runs through the back and he bumps into Legado and walks away. Braun asks Legado where Carmelo is. Santos says he is not a snitch and Angel tells him where he is. Pretty Deadly offer Braun more fliers for the musical. Hayes hits Braun with a chair and runs away.


Johnny Gargano vs Alex Shelley

Johnny misses a punch and Alex with punches and kicks. Alex runs his forearm against the bridge of the nose and he punches Johnny. Johnny drops Alex on the turnbuckles. Johnny with a chop and he mocks the point to the hand. Johnny with kicks. Johnny with an Irish whip but he runs into a back elbow. Alex with a running forearm. Alex with a hammer lock and Johnny with a back elbow. Johnny with a rollup and round kick. Johnny with a punch and kicks. Alex sends Johnny to the floor and Alex with a slingshot stomp to the arm followed by a kick and a flying knee off the apron.

We go to commercial.

We are bak and Alex wtih a jaw breaker and he runs into boots. Johnny with a wrap around neck breaker. We see Johnny hitting a sliingshot spear during the break. Johnny gets Alex up on the apron and Alex with a thrust kick on a slingshot spear attempt. Alex with chops. Alex with a knee and a kick to the back for a near fall. Alex goes for GargaNo Escape and Johnny counters with a rollup for a near fall. Alex with an Asai DDT for a near fall. Johnny with forearms and Alex with chops. Alex works on the shoulder. Johnny with a thrust kick and he hits lawn dart for a near fall. Gargano goes for GargaNo Escape but Alex gets to his feet. Johnny with a punch when the referee tries to separate them. Alex with a flatliner into the turnbuckles.

Alex goes up top and Ciampa gets on the apron and Johnny with a kick to the head. Sabin comes to ringside and Ciampa backs off. Alex pushes Johnny off the turnbuckles and hits a cross body but Johnny rolls through and grabs some fabric for the three count.

Winner: Johnny Gargano


We take a look at the Raw/Netflix event at the WWE Headquarters.

Backstage:
Byron is with Naomi and Bianca Belair. He asks them about the match. Bianca says this has been a few rough weeks but she won't let what happened to Jade allow the titles to be stripped. Naomi says she has Bianca's back forever. She says she cannot turn down a snatch and drag. She says she knows how important the titles are for Bianca and Jade. Bianca wants to give the belt to Naomi to take to the ring but she says Bianca should hold it for now.



Women's WWE Tag Team Titles
Naomi and Bianca Belair (c) vs Candice LeRae and Nia Jax

Candice and Bianca start things off and Candice with a back elbow to Bianca. Bianca presses Candice off the turnbuckles but Candice gets to her feet and she tags in Nia. They lock up and Bianca with a side head lock. Nia catches Bianca on a cross body and BIanca gets to her feet and hits a drop kick and a second one. Naomi tags in and they hit a handspring moonsault and split legged leg drop combination for a near fall. Naomi with a mule kick to Nia but Nia with a shoulder tackle for a near fall.

Nia slams Naomi's head into the mat and she chokes her in the ropes. Candice tags in and connects with back elbows and she pulls Naomi out of the corner for a near fall. Candice with a double wrist lock. Naomi with an arm drag to escape. Candice kicks Naomi in the corner and Nia tags in and hits a running hip in the corner. Nia with a million dollar dream. Naomi with a jaw breaker and she escapes a slam and goes to the apron. Naomi with a tombstone in the ropes and she kicks NIa but Candice tags in. Biana tags in and Bianc with shoulder tackles and follows with a drop kick. Bianca with a suplex attempt but Candice gets to her feet. Bianca with a tilt-a-whirl slam after Nia makes the blind tag. Bianca goes to the turnbuckles for punches and she flips over Nia. Candice with a knee and Nia with a Samoan drop for a near fall.

Nia sends Bianca shoulder first into the ring post. Nia keeps Bianca from getting to her corner for the tag. Nia ties the hair in the ropes and Candice chokes Bianca while Nia talks to the referee. Nia returns to the million dollar dream. Bianca tries for a suplex but Nia blocks it. Bianca kicks Nia and she gives an elbow to Candice. NIa stops a tag attempt and she runs Bianca into her corner. Candice with a missile drop kick while Nia has a bear hug on Bianca. Candice with a back senton off Nia's back for a near fall. Candice with forearms to the back followed by a knee. Nia tags in and she keeps Bianca from making the tag even if Naomi was not on the apron. Nia collides with Candice and Naomi tags in and Naomi with elbows to Nia and a springboard round kick to Nia. Nia with an Irish whip but Naomi with a boot and she hits a tornado X Factor for a near fall.

Nia with a head butt and she misses a shoulder and hits the ring post. Naomi misses a split legged moonsault when Nia moves. Nia goes for aNIAlator but Naomi sends Nia into the ring post. Naomi with a power bomb and Bianca tags in and hits a 450 splash for a near fall when Candice breaks up the cover.

Tiffany Stratton comes to the ring with her briefcase, but no referee.

Bianca runs into a boot from Candice and follows with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Nia gets in the ring to talk to the referee and he does not see Naomi make the tag so the referee disallows it. Nia wants the briefcase from Tiffany and the refeee sees it. Bianca hits the briefcase into Nia. Bianca with a pescado onto Nia. Candice gets a near fall. Naomi with a split legged moonsault for the three count.

Winners: Naomi and Bianca Belair (retain championship)

After the match:
Naomi accepts the title belt from Bianca.

End of show

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Opening

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Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, and Tama Tonga defeated LA Knight, Andrade, and Apollo Crews

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Backstage

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After Saturday Night's Main Event

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Video package

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Backstage

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Waller Effect

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Hayes defeated Strowman