This week’s episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown was filmed at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, giving the roster a holiday break. The show included a festive showdown between Joe Hendry and The Miz, a surprising title change in the men’s mid-card division, a women’s division confrontation, and various matches spanning different levels of excitement.
TheSportster’s rating system evaluated the matches, highlighting the best and worst performances of the night.
4. Julia & Kiana James vs. Alba Fyre & Chelsea Green
Overall Score: 3.25/10
– Storytelling: 0.75/2.5
– Technical Ability: 1.5/2.5
– Character Work/Psychology: 0.75/2.5
– Crowd Reaction: 0.25/2.5
This tag match was rushed, brief, and disappointing. The crowd was almost silent during the four-minute bout, resulting in a lackluster atmosphere. Kiana James showed some explosiveness, and Julia demonstrated solid offense, but the audience seemed disengaged, possibly due to fatigue from repeated recorded shows or uninteresting women’s title storylines. Julia’s decisive win failed to resonate with fans.
3. Joe Hendry vs. The Miz (Miracle on 34th Street Fight)
Overall Score: 5.5/10
– Storytelling: 1.25/2.5
– Technical Ability: 1.25/2.5
– Character Work/Psychology: 1.5/2.5
– Crowd Reaction: 1.5/2.5
The opening match was filled with holiday spirit and silly, slapstick humor. This bout prioritized entertainment over technical skill, featuring Christmas-themed antics like Miz getting thrown into a tree and R-Truth dressed as the Easter Bunny attacking Miz. Hendry had an impressive SmackDown debut, though Miz looked humbled by the comedic style. He won with help from friends, receiving a warm ovation. However, there’s concern that WWE might be relying too heavily on comedy for Hendry, which could wear thin past the holiday season.
2. Charlotte Flair vs. Rush Legend
Overall Score: 6/10
– Storytelling: 1.5/2.5
– Technical Ability: 1.5/2.5
– Character Work/Psychology: 1.5/2.5
– Crowd Reaction: 1.5/2.5
Following a dominant win over Alexa Bliss, Rush Legend faced powerhouse Charlotte Flair. The match showcased a classic power-versus-speed dynamic, with Legend holding her own despite some rookie moments. Notable highlights included a powerful pop-up powerbomb and a ragdoll spot. Interference from Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss affected the outcome, leading to Flair rolling up Legend for the win. The match was solid but lacked consistent energy, aside from Flair’s efforts to engage the crowd.
1. Ilya Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes (US Championship)
Overall Score: 8.75/10
– Storytelling: 2/2.5
– Technical Ability: 2.5/2.5
– Character Work/Psychology: 2.25/2.5
– Crowd Reaction: 2/2.5
The US Championship Open Challenge featured an intense and physical contest that ended with a surprise title change. Carmelo Hayes bested Ilya Dragunov, capturing the championship to the delight of an enthusiastic audience. The match was a well-paced, hard-hitting battle, complete with powerful counters and meaningful nearfalls. Hayes sealed the victory by countering a coast-to-coast move, electrifying the crowd with his win.
Fan Take: This episode is crucial for WWE fans as it highlights both the excitement of fresh championship shifts and the risk of overusing slapstick comedy in wrestling storylines. The title change with Carmelo Hayes could signal a new era in the mid-card division, while the storytelling approach for other matches may influence future show formats and audience engagement.
