With Christmas fast approaching, WWE decided to pre-record the December 22nd episode of “WWE SmackDown” to give the company's superstars more time with their loved ones this holiday season. The December 15th edition of SmackDown appeared at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. After that show aired, WWE also filmed this week's episode, which is scheduled to air this Friday in the blue brand's usual timeslot (8:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. CST) on FOX.
As previously announced by WWE, Friday's episode of “SmackDown” will feature a “WWE NXT” North American Championship match between Butch and defending champion Dragon Lee, who recently defeated Dominik Mysterio to retain the title. The WWE Universe will also see the two semifinal matches of the United States Championship Tournament this week, with Kevin Owens taking on “NXT's” Carmelo Hayes and Bobby Lashley taking on former LWO member Santos Escobar. In the spirit of Christmas, Damage CTRL (Bayley, IYO SKY, Kairi Sane & Asuka) will face Bianca Belair, Shotzi, Michin and Zelina Vega in an eight-woman Holiday Havoc tag team match. Here's a look at spoilers for the December 22nd edition of SmackDown, courtesy of NoDQ.
**SPOILERS BELOW**
* United States Championship Tournament: Santos Escobar defeated Bobby Lashley thanks to interference from Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo.
* NXT North American Championship: Dragon Lee (c) defeated Butch.
* AJ Styles, Randy Orton and LA Knight compete in a promo segment, with each claiming they want to be the next challenger for Roman Reigns' Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. “SmackDown” General Manager Nick Aldis later announced that they would compete in a triple match on the “New Year's Revolution” edition of SmackDown, with the winner then facing Reigns for the title at the 2024 Royal Rumble event will compete.
* Holiday Havoc: Bianca Belair, Zelina Vega, Michin and Shotzi defeated Damage CTRL (Bayley, Asuka, Kairi Sane & IYO SKY). Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre return to attack Sane at some point during the stage.
* United States Championship Tournament: Kevin Owens defeated Carmelo Hayes.
* AJ Styles defeated Solo Sikoa by disqualification after Roman Reigns attacked “The Phenomenal One.” A brawl ensued between The Bloodline, Styles, Knight and Orton.