Overview
- Drew McIntyre returns to WWE television after an absence tied to a home-invasion brawl with Universal Champion Cody Rhodes, setting up a renewed push for payback.
- United States Champion Ilja Dragunov continues his Open Challenge series on the broadcast after recent defenses against Tommaso Ciampa, J.D. McDonagh, both members of Fraxiom, and Carmelo Hayes.
- Joe Hendry appears on SmackDown for a singles match against The Miz following their interaction at Saturday Night’s Main Event that also involved R-Truth.
- The episode is the final SmackDown of 2025 and airs live from Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central).
- The card advances ongoing championship arcs and personal rivalries, positioning the Universal and U.S. title pictures for early-2026 developments.