The December 18th episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:
Paige Is No Longer SmackDown GM
SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon opened up the show by addressing all the Superstars backstage. Shane stated that last night brought about a fresh start because we are listening to the fans. Shane said that they need to create the best possible product for the WWE Universe.
He claimed that everyone is going to be held accountable from now on. Shane thanked Paige for doing a good job as GM and added that she is not going anywhere, her role has just changed. The locker room then chanted “thank you Paige!” as Shane raised her hand in the air.
Aside from Paige referring to everyone as “baby girl” all the time, I actually thought Paige was great as SmackDown GM. The best part of this segment was Big E staring at Daniel Bryan while eating.
? @WWEBigE pic.twitter.com/eQY6gXatvb
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 19, 2018
Asuka Retained As Becky Lynch & Charlotte Looked On
Becky Lynch came down to the ring as the crowd chanted her name. Lynch claimed that she doesn’t care who is running the show because The Man is in charge. Becky said that the only thing she wants from the McMahon family is for them to deliver her the RAW Women’s Championship.
Lynch blasted Rousey for costing her the title at TLC and for not having the decency to fight her. Charlotte Flair interrupted and told Becky to stand behind the Queen because Ronda stole her opportunity. Charlotte claimed that she would have won the match if Ronda didn’t interfere.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka came down to the ring and told them to forget about Rousey because she is the champion now. Vince McMahon joined the party and came down to the entrance ramp. Vince congratulated Asuka on winning the title and condemned Becky and Charlotte for making excuses. Vince told them to take up their issues with Ronda Rousey. Vince asked Asuka if she would like to defend her title tonight and Naomi’s music hit.
The #SDLive Women's division is HEATING UP, and @VinceMcMahon wants to see @WWEAsuka defend her title TONIGHT! pic.twitter.com/dp7FOvcc2f
— WWE (@WWE) December 19, 2018
Asuka defended her title against Naomi while Becky Lynch and Charlotte were ringside. Naomi held her own in the match but wound up submitting to the Asuka Lock. Asuka raised the title with a smile on her face Charlotte and Becky shouted at her from ringside.
This isn't over, far from it. #SDLive #WomensTitle @WWEAsuka @BeckyLynchWWE @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/U2Pg6bCIqV
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 19, 2018
I liked how Vince McMahon blasted Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair for complaining about Rousey interfering last night. Vince noted that Rousey had said that she was going to write the next chapter in both of their careers and challenged them to get revenge. Asuka and Naomi couldn’t seem to get on the same page and it led to a pretty terrible match.
Jeff Hardy Played Mind Games With Samoa Joe
Jeff Hardy came down to the ring and called Samoa Joe out. Joe came down to the ring and said that he was here for an intervention. Samoa Joe brought up the holidays and how Jeff is fragile.
Jeff shouted that the more Joe reminds him of his demons, the more determined he is to never go back there. Jeff claimed that Joe is insecure and tries to attack other people’s weaknesses to hide that.
Hardy asked if Joe was insecure because he has been in WWE for two years and hasn’t won a single championship. Joe got pissed off and tried to attack Jeff from behind. Jeff was ready and hit Joe with the Twist of Fate.
.@SamoaJoe never planned on apologizing…
In fact, he wanted to host an INTERVENTION for @JEFFHARDYBRAND?! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/31z34DfgCe
— WWE (@WWE) December 19, 2018
"What demons are haunting you? Is it the fact that you've been here for TWO years and haven't won ONE championship?" – @JEFFHARDYBRAND to @SamoaJoe #SDLive pic.twitter.com/Mierxs77Gc
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 19, 2018
This feud has been great so far. It is also crazy to think that Joe has been on the main roster that long and hasn’t captured one title yet. Hopefully, Joe getting a major push is a part of this new era of RAW and SmackDown that we are in.
SmackDown’s Tag Team Division Is Interesting Again
The Usos came down to the ring and stated that they were not the team that got pinned at WWE TLC. Jimmy and Jey called out The Bar but Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson answered instead.
Gallows and Anderson complained about it being The Usos, New Day, and The Bar every single week. Karl blasted the rap battle and pointed out that they haven’t been on SmackDown since August. Gallows said that is four months that one of the best teams of the past decade has been on the sidelines and that it was time to clean house.
It's been a while… time for an old-fashioned wakeup call from @LukeGallowsWWE and @KarlAndersonWWE. pic.twitter.com/p85oMDWc1s
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 19, 2018
Jimmy Uso climbed up to the top rope and set up for a Splash. The Bar’s music hit and Cesaro & Sheamus came down to the entrance ramp. SAnitY then rushed through the crowd and took everybody out before exiting the ring. Eric Young shouted at The Bar that they beat them to it tonight. Sheamus and Cesaro ran into the ring and beat down The Usos and Gallows & Anderson some more after SAnitY left.
Before #TheBar could make their presence felt, #SAnitY's @TheEricYoung @TheWWEWolfe & @KillianDain just decided to make a STATEMENT on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/1spbv6C5jY
— WWE (@WWE) December 19, 2018
SAnitY and the Good Brothers were on SmackDown this week? It really is the holidays because I have been asking for that for months now. I love tag team wrestling and have become incredibly frustrated with how it is featured on RAW and SmackDown. This wasn’t a special segment or anything, it was just a couple of teams with talent showing up and making a statement.
New Day, The Bar, and The Usos are great teams, but it is boring as hell to watch them fight each other week after week. RAW and SmackDown would instantly become so much better if they took their tag team divisions seriously. I’m all for tag team wrestling every week and watching teams earn their way up the ladder for a title shot.
#TUCKy We’re COMINNNNNNN’ to Tuesday Night #SDLive
AAAAASSSSA!?? #BlueCollarSolid #HeavyMachinery #STEAKSandWEIGHTS #WorkinMansPHD #DOZER pic.twitter.com/ttM9Budmlc
— Otis Dozovic (@WWEDozovic) December 19, 2018
Mustafa Ali Pinned The WWE Champion
WWE Champion Daniel Bryan cut a promo tonight and blasted the people of Fresno, California. Daniel said that the city of Fresno ranks #1 in pollution in the state of California and the crowd responded in a “yes!” chant. Bryan proceeded to shout “shame!” over and over again at the crowd until they stopped chanting.
Bryan then quoted Isaac Asimov: “Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is” and claimed that the people of Fresno are too stupid to educate themselves. Bryan teamed up with Andrade “Cien” Almas to face AJ Styles and Mustafa Ali. It was announced during the show that Ali is now a member of the SmackDown roster.
The city of Fresno ranks No. 1 in pollution in the state of California!
SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!
SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!
SHAME! SHAME! #SDLive @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/mViAsHoJk2— WWE (@WWE) December 19, 2018
NEW #SDLive Superstar @MustafaAliWWE teams with @AJStylesOrg NEXT! pic.twitter.com/SA5ReXaZjM
— WWE (@WWE) December 19, 2018
Styles and Ali controlled the beginning of the match. Mustafa used AJ as a springboard and flipped onto Almas and Bryan on the outside of the ring.
He was the HEART of #205Live, but now @MustafaAliWWE is looking to make a name for himself on #SDLive, and he's been nothing short of IMPRESSIVE so far! pic.twitter.com/pN2vywTkqI
— WWE (@WWE) December 19, 2018
Bryan and Almas battled back and isolated Ali in the ring. Mustafa finally escaped to the corner and tagged Styles in. AJ leveled Bryan with a Clothesline and followed it up with a forearm to Daniel’s face. AJ connected with a Neckbreaker and went for the cover but Bryan kicked out at two. AJ locked in the Calf Crusher on Bryan but Almas broke it up.
Ali tagged in and planted Bryan with a DDT. Mustafa climbed to the top as Styles took out Andrade “Cien” Almas with a Phenomenal Forearm. Ali then hit Daniel Bryan with the 054 Splash for the pinfall victory.
Phenomenal Forearm by @AJStylesOrg! 054 by @MustafaAliWWE! That was AWESOME! pic.twitter.com/ESky2gB1GX
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 19, 2018
What a night for Mustafa Ali. He had been excellent in 205 Live and on his first night officially on the SmackDown roster he pinned the reigning WWE Champion. I thought it was a really cool moment. This week’s episode of SmackDown was great. The one thing that held it back was the crowd. They sucked and were quiet even though exciting things were happening throughout the night.
Pin the champ, get your hand raised by @AJStylesOrg. THAT is how it's done!
Fantastic moment for @MustafaAliWWE to close out a tremendous show. ? pic.twitter.com/lhmANGr6Vc
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 19, 2018
