WWE recently held the December 19th edition of Friday Night SmackDown at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The event was pre-recorded earlier in the week along with Monday Night RAW, giving WWE talent some holiday time off. This episode served as a refresh for the blue brand, showcasing a variety of matches with mixed quality.
TheSportster reviewed every match from this SmackDown, rating them to determine the best, worst, and everything in between.
At the bottom of the ratings was the match between Julia and Alba Fyre, which scored 3.75/10 overall. Despite solid technical execution and Julia’s eagerness to bounce back from a recent title loss, the match suffered from poor crowd engagement, creating an awkward atmosphere. The storytelling and character psychology were lacking, which failed to capture the audience’s interest.
Next up were the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) versus Nia Jax and Rush Legend, receiving a 6/10 rating. The champions played the underdog babyfaces against the physically dominant opponents. Though there were some clunky moments, especially between Jax and Asuka, Sane stood out with promising face potential. The ending felt sudden and anti-climactic, and the crowd response was mostly muted, possibly due to the lack of stakes beyond the title.
In second place, with a 6.25/10 score, was the tag team clash between MFT and Wyatt Six. Despite ending in a frustrating no-contest after a ringside brawl, the match was entertaining overall. Strong performances from Tonga Loa, JC Mateo, and a lively hot tag from Joe Gacy kept the audience engaged, especially after the post-match fight that energized the crowd.
The top match of the night was the tag contest featuring DIY versus Ilya Dragunov and United States Champion Carmelo Hayes, earning a solid 7/10. The bout was fast-paced and physically intense, blending technical prowess with high-flying maneuvers. The chemistry between Dragunov and Hayes stood out, although it was disappointing to see an established team fall to singles competitors. Candice LeRae’s involvement added extra drama with some cheating tactics, but ultimately the babyfaces prevailed, with Hayes securing the win.
Fan Take: This lineup highlights the evolving dynamic between established teams and rising stars, offering a glimpse into future rivalries and character development pivotal for WWE’s momentum. For fans, the mix of technical skill and storytelling, despite some inconsistent crowd reactions, underscores the ongoing challenge WWE faces in balancing in-ring quality with audience engagement to keep the sport compelling.
