This week's WWE SmackDown outcomes and finale (January 3, 2024) defined in full [SPOILERS].

Warning: The next copy accommodates SPOLIERS for WWE SmackDown (January 3, 2025)

In its first week of shifting to a three-hour present, WWE SmackDown from Phoenix, AZ was fraught with incident. Sami Zayn and The Usos competed in 6-Man Tag Crew motion towards The Bloodline within the night time's Predominant Occasion. Within the early night, Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa met within the ring earlier than Monday's Tribal Fight match with Roman Reigns, and Drew McIntyre continued to make his presence felt.

Elsewhere, gold was on the road as DIY defended the tag crew championship towards DIY, and Nia Jax defended her title towards Naomi in a really thrilling battle for the WWE Girls's Championship. Michin and Piper Niven continued their feud with US Champion Chelsea Inexperienced ready within the wings, Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Andrade confronted off in a hard-hitting match, and Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens continued their rivalry earlier than their Royal Rumble match.

• Cody Rhodes opened SmackDown, earlier than Uncooked's Drew McIntyre interrupted him with a suggestion of assist and a phrase of warning.

• Drew left telling Cody to watch out. Kevin Owens got here out of the group to assault Cody from behind. They have been then separated by WWE officers.

• Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Andrade El Idalo by pinfall. LA Knight then entered the ring to inform Shinsuke he was coming for him.

• Michin defeated Piper Niven through Eat Defeat.

• Solo Sikoa requested Paul Heyman to carry out the Ula Fala throughout Monday's Tribal Fight match towards Roman Reigns.

• Motor Metropolis Machine Weapons have been denied victory over DIY as a result of interference from Fairly Lethal and Legado Del Fantasma.

• Nia Jax defeated Naomi by pinfall. Tiffany Stratton took Naomi for a stroll along with her Cash In The Financial institution briefcase.

• Tiffany Stratton then cashed in her Cash In The Financial institution briefcase to win the WWE Girls's Championship, following a Prettiest Moonsault Ever and a KOD from Binaca Belair on Nia.

• Solo Sikoa defeated Jey Uso to get The Bloodline victory over Sami Zayn and The Usos.

Cody Rhodes has extra to consider

Cody Rhodes opened SmackDown in a somber and critical tone, prepared to handle Kevin Owens, earlier than being interrupted by Uncooked's Drew McIntyre. That is solely a part of the shock, as Drew gave Cody an enormous hug and insisted he was right here to assist. Seeing any type of positivity or heat from Drew after the final 12 months is alarming at this level, however McIntyre's huge plans for 2025 are off to begin.

Drew's phrases fell on deaf ears as Cody didn't belief the Scottish Warrior and in return McIntyre advised Cody to “watch your again”adopted by Kevin Owens attacking him from behind. Jey Uso would later go as much as Kevin Owens backstage, who advised him to “watch out.” Coincidence? Jey Uso faces Drew McIntyre on the debut of Monday Night time Uncooked. He actually must be cautious on Monday.

The prolonged entrance for Shinsuke Nakamura was nice. SmackDown's further minutes must be used to extend publicity for the mid-card champions and their rivals. The hard-hitting, hard-hitting match made each champion and challenger look robust as nails. Shinsuke achieved victory with a beating in Kinshasa, his blood-curdling facial mannerisms, including to his more and more menacing mystique. LA Knight then got here to the ring and promised that he would regain the US Championship. Nice stuff from everybody.

Paul Heyman Learns His Function in Tribal Fight

In case you haven't seen a single second of WWE tv since Solo Sikoa determined it was time to guide The Bloodline as The Tribal Chief, Paul Heyman offered the complete plot and the significance of the position in 5 phenomenal moments. A grasp at his job and a job nicely executed. It was at all times a daring transfer by The Wiseman, and so it was when Solo's music crammed the sector. He assured Roman's council that he would emerge victorious and needs Heyman to maintain Ula Fala whereas the match takes place. Anticipate fireworks.

Smackdown's Thrilling Tag Crew Turmoil

Tag groups getting constant TV time and storylines are paying dividends on SmackDown. Fairly Lethal's lies about Legado Del Fantasma hurting The Road Earnings on final week's SmackDown caught up with them, as they have been confronted by Apollo Crews (nicknamed “Apollo Stooge” by the heels), Santos Escobar and their crew. DIY continued to disclaim his involvement, and his title protection towards Motor Metropolis Machine Weapons was chaos, brawls and no contest that robbed his opponents of victory. All of this and a Motor Metropolis Machine Weapons vignette occurred within the first half of SmackDown. It's time to be a part of the blue model.

The queen defends her crown, earlier than lastly being dethroned

Nia Jax and Naomi's match for the WWE Girls's Championship was a conflict. So many close to falls and nice spots on this longer match, with Nia's second rope leg drop and Samoa's falls being notably impactful. Nia emerged victorious after interference from Tiffany Stratton, hitting Naomi on the top along with her Cash In The Financial institution briefcase.

After which all hell broke free, ending with Tiffany Stratton being the brand new WWE Girls's Champion. Bianca Belair would enter the ring to KOD Nia for attacking Naomi after the bell, Tiffany then defeated Candace LeRae, then Bianca, earlier than cashing in, hitting essentially the most lovely Moonsault ever and getting the three depend that made Stratton the brand new champion. The lurch fooled us all and this was good timing. It's lastly Tiffy's time. Drink.

The Bloodline Set the Stage for Netflix Premiere Monday

The doorway of Sami Zayn and The Usos was so thrilling that the Yeeting prolonged to the general public, the feedback and a very enthusiastic Lilian Garcia. It seems like “sure!” by Daniel Bryan. motion at its peak when The OG Bloodline is within the constructing now. Regardless of that, Solo Sikoa picked up the win for his crew after Jey Uso forgot his opponent was the authorized man. It's an enormous win for the younger Tribal Chief forward of the largest night time of his profession this Monday.

To prime it off, Tiffany Stratton's dramatic flip to money in on her Cash In The Financial institution contract shall be on best-of lists for years. Former champion Nia can have points with Binaca Belair, Candace LeRae, Naomi and the brand new WWE Girls's Champion. Heyman, Solo, The Bloodline, and The Usos did a unbelievable job creating intrigue forward of Monday's large Netflix premiere of Uncooked, and the union between Drew McIntyre and Kevin Owens alluded to all through SmackDown is a welcome and thrilling new dynamic for the brand new 12 months. All this and the boys's and ladies's mid-card and Tag Crew division acquired extra consideration with SmackDown's additional time in what was a convincing success for the three-hour first night time of SmackDown.