🔥 SmackDown Goes Off the Rails! Cody Rhodes Invades Drew McIntyre’s Life, Women’s Division Implodes & Chaos Rules the Night (Dec. 19 Results & Highlights)
WWE rolled into Grand Rapids, Michigan for the final SmackDown before the year-end stretch, and while it was supposed to feel like a big closing chapter, the show instead came across as a company running on fumes — and questionable creative decisions.
From Cody Rhodes doubling down on his obsession with Drew McIntyre to a women’s division that feels more confusing by the week, this episode had sparks of excitement buried beneath layers of frustration. Let’s break it all down.
🎭 Tag Team Turmoil Takes Another Turn
At one point, WWE had no interest in the women’s tag-team division. Now? It’s being booked into absolute chaos.
In a rare heel-vs-heel clash, Women’s Tag Team Champions Kabuki Warriors fell clean to Lash Legend and Nia Jax — a decision that left more questions than answers. This loss comes just weeks before the champions are scheduled to defend their titles against RhIyo, making the upcoming match feel almost pointless.
To make matters worse, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss rushed the ring after the match… for absolutely no reason. There was no ongoing beatdown to stop, no chaos to prevent — just an awkward “save” that made them look more like villains than heroes.
The biggest issue? Lash Legend doesn’t belong in the tag division long-term. She’s badly needed in the singles title picture, where star power is thin. Instead, she’s stuck in a storyline that feels temporary and directionless.
The women’s roster as a whole feels scattered right now. Giulia is still orbiting the U.S. title scene, Evolution momentum feels long gone, and nothing seems to be building toward something meaningful.
🏠 Cody Rhodes Crosses the Line — Again
If there’s one thing WWE did nail, it’s the production behind Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre.
A cinematic segment featuring Nick Aldis and McIntyre played out like a short film, static effects aside. Visually, it was excellent. Story-wise? That’s where things fall apart.
Rhodes has already beaten McIntyre multiple times — and yet, he keeps pushing for more. Worse, Cody is now being portrayed as a man so unhinged that he attacked McIntyre at his own home. In kayfabe, this makes Rhodes look less like a determined champion and more like a full-blown lunatic.
There’s only one logical way to save this feud:
👉 Cody Rhodes has to lose.
If McIntyre eats another loss after being handed yet another title opportunity, his character is officially dead in the water. The only possible escape hatch? Oba Femi interfering, setting up a new program and giving Cody a believable out. Anything else feels creatively irresponsible.
Rhodes’ brief in-ring confrontation with Aldis was solid but ultimately hollow — unless Aldis is actually gearing up for an in-ring return, these moments feel like filler more than forward motion.
👍 Friday Night Fire
Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes def. #DIY
Dragunov’s brutality paired with Hayes’ flash made for an exciting combo finish — an H-Bomb straight into Nothing But Net. The match was fun but short, and with no indication this team will continue, #DIY’s loss feels unnecessary.
👎 Down & Out Moments
1. Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black Continues… Somehow
Priest opened the show only to be derailed by Zelina Vega and blindsided by Aleister Black, who later smashed Priest with a shovel and a Black Mass backstage. This feud has dragged on far too long, and its peak was honestly the moment Black and Zelina aligned on-screen.
2. Giulia Squashes Alba Fyre
The match itself was fine — clean, dominant, and to the point. The real issue? Giulia is still trapped in a recycled U.S. title scene, where momentum goes to die.
3. Jade Cargill vs. Michin… Again
This mini-feud continues for reasons known only to WWE. Especially baffling considering fans were just teased with a potential Flair vs. Cargill confrontation. Stop stalling and pull the trigger already.
4. Main Event Mess: Wyatt Sicks vs. MFT Ends in DQ
What started as a dull match ended with Erick Rowan and Talla Tonga brawling outside, pulling everyone else into a chaotic non-finish. No drama. No payoff. Entirely skippable.
👑 Final Verdict
This episode of SmackDown felt like a show killing time rather than building momentum — a worrying sign with an extra hour of programming coming in 2026.
Crown Score: 1.5 / 10 👑
If this is the energy WWE is bringing into the new year, creative needs a serious wake-up call — fast.
