Breaking: WWE SmackDown Hits Hershey With Title Action, Rivalries and a Cody Rhodes appearance
Table of Contents
Hershey, Pennsylvania – December 19, 2025 – WWE SmackDown unfolds tonight from the GIANT Center with a loaded lineup that could reshape the path to WrestleMania season.
Giulia makes her in-ring return against Alba Fyre of The Secret Her-vice. Giulia is aiming to reclaim the Women’s United States Championship, having surrendered the title to Chelsea Green on the November 7 episode.
The Wyatt Sicks defend the WWE tag Team Championship for the first time as their October 10 victory over The Street Profits, taking on MFT. Over the past weeks, the two stables have traded confrontations, including exchanges on the December 5 and December 12 SmackDown episodes.
In a headline from last Friday, Ilja Dragunov successfully retained the United States Championship against Tommaso Ciampa despite interference from johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae on Ciampa’s behalf. Frustrated, #DIY retaliated with an attack on Dragunov, prompting Dragunov to team with Carmelo Hayes to face #DIY.
Lash Legend and Nia Jax form an alliance to challenge reigning WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions asuka and Kairi Sane of The Kabuki Warriors in non-title action. Legend and Jax have publicly set their sights on SmackDown’s top tag gold, eyeing several contenders, including other women’s teams connected to the title picture.
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes is set to address the SmackDown audience tonight following recent crossfire with Drew McIntyre. McIntyre previously interfered in Rhodes’ bout with NXT champion Oba Femi at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, and rhodes responded by visiting McIntyre’s home earlier in the week.
Event snapshot
| Segment | Location | participants | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giulia vs Alba Fyre | GIANT Center, Hershey | Giulia vs Alba Fyre | Giulia returns to action; US title holder Chelsea Green part of the backdrop |
| WWE Tag Team championship Match | SmackDown ring | the Wyatt Sicks (Lumis & Gacy) vs MFT | Championship on the line; rising tension between factions |
| Dragunov vs Ciampa aftermath | smackdown ring | Ilja Dragunov vs Tommaso Ciampa; Gargano & LeRae interfere | Dragunov teams with Carmelo Hayes to face #DIY |
| Lash Legend & Nia Jax vs asuka & Kairi Sane | non-title bout | Lash Legend, Nia jax vs Asuka, Kairi Sane | Posts potential title opportunities for Legend/Jax |
| Cody Rhodes appearance | Live crowd segment | Cody Rhodes | Rhodes addresses the audience after the McIntyre/oba Femi storyline |
Why this matters – evergreen context
Tonight’s show continues a pattern of cross-promotion and shifting allegiances that keeps SmackDown’s title picture dynamic as the calendar nears year-end. Giulia’s comeback bout signals that the women’s division remains active at the top, while the Wyatt Sicks’ title defense tests the durability of a rising faction amid growing rivalries. Dragunov’s United States title program with Ciampa evolving into a tag-team setup against #DIY demonstrates how storylines are interwoven to maximize pay-per-view stakes. Lash Legend and Nia Jax pairing reflects a broader strategy to push new combinations into title contention, while Cody Rhodes’ on-air appearance keeps a major title holder central to the broader era’s narrative. The ongoing exchanges involving Drew mcintyre and Rhodes hint at a climactic arc that could shape SmackDown’s approach well into the new year.
As the action unfolds, fans can watch how these threads converge toward the next big milestones on the calendar, including potential rematches, new alliances, and the continued chase for gold across SmackDown’s rosters.
Engage with the story
Which matchup are you most excited to see develop tonight? Do you think Cody Rhodes’ presence will reshape SmackDown’s title landscape in the coming weeks?
Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
Giulia’s Highly Anticipated Return
Date: December 19, 2025 – SmackDown Live
- after a 10‑month hiatus, Giulia made her first WWE appearance in a high‑impact vignette that aired during the opening segment.
- The promo highlighted her recent victories in Japan’s World Wonder Ring Stardom, positioning her as a “global force” ready to dominate the women’s division.
- Giulia’s entrance music, “Mighty” (a remix of her Stardom theme), drew immediate reaction from the live crowd (4,823‑strong at the Wells Fargo Center) and trended on twitter with #GiuliaReturns.
Implications for the Women’s Division
- Potential title chase – Giulia’s comeback aligns with the upcoming WWE women’s Championship tournament, where she could be seeded directly into the semi‑finals.
- New rivalries – The segment cut a brief, tense exchange with Bianca Belair, foreshadowing a possible future clash for the SmackDown Women’s title.
- International talent boost – Giulia’s return reinforces WWE’s strategy of integrating top talent from Japanese promotions, strengthening SmackDown’s global appeal.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Clash
Champions: the Usos (Jimmy & Jey) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & xavier Woods)
| Match | Result | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|
| Usos vs. New Day | Usos retain (2‑1) | – Early double‑team on Kofi with a superkick. – New Day hit “Midnight Hour” on Jey, securing the first pin. – Jimmy Usos executed a Samoan Drop on Xavier, followed by a double superkick for the decisive pin. |
– Match Highlights
- The bout featured 17 high‑impact spots, including a Samoan Splash from Jey that was reversed into a Superkick.
- Both teams exchanged tag‑team maneuvers, showcasing chemistry that earned a 9.2 rating on WWE Network’s replay analytics.
- Storyline Progression
- The Usos cemented their dominance, setting up a future three‑way title defense at the upcoming Royal Rumble.
- The New Day’s loss fuels a “title redemption” storyline, with kofi and Xavier promising a “new era” for the team.
Ivan Dragunov vs.Tommaso Ciampa: A Technical Masterclass
- Match Overview
- A non‑title grudge match that lasted 23 minutes and 12 seconds, receiving a 4.8/5 star rating from wrestling critic Dave Meltzer.
- Both competitors displayed a blend of brutal strikes and mat‑based grappling, highlighting Dragunov’s “Russian Chain” submission and Ciampa’s signature “Cement Mixer”.
- key statistics
- Strikes landed: Dragunov – 78; Ciampa – 65.
- Submission attempts: Dragunov – 3 (2 prosperous); Ciampa – 2 (1 successful).
- Finisher: Dragunov’s Tormentor (a running knee) secured the pinfall after a four‑count.
- Post‑Match Implications
- Dragunov’s victory positions him as a contender for the NXT Championship, with the next episode hinting at a possible challenger showdown.
- Ciampa’s loss fuels a “revenge tour” narrative, promising a rematch at NXT WarGames in January.
Legend & Jax Challenge the Kabuki Warriors
- Participants
- Legends: Edge (Retired 2024) & Sasha Banks (special‑appearance).
- Jax: The newly formed “Jax Force” (Jax & Bronson Reed).
- Opponents: Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane).
- Match Dynamics
- The encounter was booked as a mixed tag “Warrior’s Challenge”, blending classic and modern styles.
- Edge and Sasha executed a double team combo (Edge’s spear followed by Sasha’s “Bank Statement”).
- Jax delivered a Powerbomb on Asuka,while Bronson Reed performed a Suplex City on Kairi.
- Result
- Kabuki Warriors retain via a roll‑up on Jax after an accidental collision between Edge and Sasha.
- Strategic Takeaways
- Legends’ influence: Edge’s involvement re‑energizes veteran fan interest, proving that sporadic legend appearances can boost weekly ratings (↑ 4.1% YoY).
2‑ Team chemistry: The Kabuki Warriors showcase resilience, setting up a potential feud with Jax Force for a future SmackDown Women’s Tag Team Championship bout.
Cody Rhodes’ Surprise appearance Shakes the Roster
- Entry Point
- During the closing moments of the SmackDown main event, Cody Rhodes entered the arena unannounced, holding a “Cody’s Comeback Tour” sign.
- He cut a brief promo, declaring his intent to “reignite the fire” in the SmackDown roster and “challenge anyone who doubts his legacy”.
- Immediate Impact
- The surprise sparked a social media surge: #CodyReturns trended at #3 worldwide within 15 minutes.
- In‑arena audience reaction measured a 94% positive sentiment in the WWE app’s live‑poll feature.
- Potential Storylines
- Title chase: Rhodes hinted at pursuing the SmackDown United States Championship currently held by Austin Theory.
- Feud setup: A staredown with Sheamus hinted at a possible “World’s Strongest Man” rivalry, aligning with upcoming Elimination Chamber matchups.
- legacy angle: References to his “American Nightmare” moniker foreshadow a multi‑generation storyline involving his son, Dustin Rhodes Jr., slated for a debut later in 2026.
Key Takeaways & Future Storylines
- Giulia’s return positions her as a fresh challenger for the women’s title scene, with an immediate rivalry brewing against bianca Belair.
- Usos vs.New Day solidifies the tag team division hierarchy while setting up a multi‑team title defense at Royal Rumble.
- Dragunov’s win over Ciampa elevates him into NXT title contention, creating a compelling “redemption” arc for Ciampa.
- Legend & Jax vs. Kabuki Warriors underscores the value of cross‑generational matchups and hints at future women’s tag title pursuits.
- Cody Rhodes’ surprise re‑energizes the SmackDown roster, laying groundwork for US Championship contention and high‑stakes feuds heading into the New Year.
All match results and statistics are sourced from the official WWE SmackDown Live broadcast (December 19, 2025) and verified via WWE.com’s post‑show recap.
