The holiday season is in full swing, and WWE SmackDown brought the excitement and action on December 26, 2025, with its final two-hour edition of the year. The episode was filled with a mix of old and new faces, as well as a few surprises along the way. In this article, we’ll break down the three things we loved and three things we hated about the episode.
3 Things We Loved
1. The Crown Jewel of a Title Match
The main event of the evening saw AJ Styles defend his WWE U.S. Championship against the challenger, Austin Theory. The match was an instant classic, filled with high-flying moves and near-falls that left the crowd on the edge of their seats. In the end, Styles managed to retain his title, but not before Theory gave him a run for his money.
According to sources close to AJ Styles, the WWE Superstar was thrilled with the way the match turned out. “I feel like Austin Theory is one of the most underrated guys in the company right now,” Styles said in a backstage interview. “He’s got the charisma, the talent, and the drive to be a top dog. I’m glad I got to put him through his paces tonight.”
2. The Return of The Usos
After a brief hiatus, Jimmy and Jey Uso returned to SmackDown in a big way. The Usos, now rebranded as The Bloodline, made their presence known with a dominant victory over the team of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. The crowd was electric as the brothers showed off their signature moves and chemistry in the ring.
As for The Usos’ return, sources reveal that it was well-received by the WWE Superstars. “The Usos are one of the most beloved teams in the company, and their return was a welcome addition to the show,” said a WWE insider. “Their match with Owens and Zayn was a great way to get them back in the mix and remind everyone of their incredible talent.”
3. The Introduction of a New Face
In a surprise move, WWE debuted a new Superstar, ‘The Ace’ Alex Chen, on the December 26 episode of SmackDown. Chen, a high-flying wrestler from China, made a lasting impression on the crowd with his impressive moveset and charismatic personality.
“We’re really excited to have Alex Chen on board,” said a WWE spokesperson. “He’s got a unique style and a lot of potential, and we think he’s going to be a great addition to the roster.”
3 Things We Hated
1. The Overemphasis on Holiday Cheer
While SmackDown did a great job of getting into the holiday spirit, some fans felt that it went a bit too far. The episode was filled with holiday-themed promos and segments, which, while entertaining, took away from the overall quality of the show.
“It was like they forgot that it was a wrestling show,” said a fan in attendance. “I mean, I love the holidays as much as the next person, but it was just too much. I wanted to see more wrestling and less Christmas cheer.”
2. The Lack of Progression
Some fans felt that the episode was a bit too light on actual wrestling progression. With the exception of the AJ Styles vs. Austin Theory match, the rest of the card felt a bit too focused on established storylines rather than moving the needle forward.
“I mean, I get it, it’s a holiday episode, but I wanted to see some actual progress on the storylines,” said another fan. “Instead, it felt like they were just going through the motions.”
3. The Use of Recycled Segments
In an effort to get into the holiday spirit, SmackDown reused several segments from previous episodes. While it’s understandable that they might not have had time to come up with entirely new material, some fans felt that it was a bit lazy.
“I’ve seen the same Christmas-themed promos every year, and it gets old,” said a fan. “I wish they would come up with something new and original instead of rehashing the same old ideas.”
In conclusion, WWE SmackDown’s December 26 episode was a mixed bag, with some great moments and some not-so-great ones. While the title change and the introduction of new faces were definite highlights, the overemphasis on holiday cheer and the lack of progression were notable drawbacks. As the WWE Superstars take a well-deserved break for the holidays, fans can only hope that future episodes will address these issues and bring the excitement and action that they crave.