WWE SmackDown Live
Episode 1009
#SDLive
Original Air Date: December 18, 2018
Event Date: December 18, 2018 (aired live)
City: Fresno, CA
Venue: Save Mart Center
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, David Otunga
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Backstage
Shane McMahon stands in front of members of the SmackDown Live roster. He says that last night on RAW, the McMahon family announced a fresh start for the WWE. There will be new faces, new matchups, and new opportunities, and they’ll be doing all this for the fans. Shane then thanks Paige for all her hard work as GM of SmackDown. Everyone applauds.
Ring Area
Becky Lynch heads to the ring. Becky doesn’t care who is running the show, because The Man is in charge. Becky is out with the people, because this is where the real business is conducted. Getting down to business, Becky wants Ronda Rousey delivered to her.
Becky says that she went face to face with Ronda, but Ronda took Becky’s title away without even looking her in the face. Charlotte Flair interrupts as she heads to the ring.
Charlotte tells Becky to take a number. In fact, take number two and stand behind The Queen. Charlotte wants Ronda Rousey too. Becky says her days of standing behind Charlotte are over. Charlotte says that if Ronda hadn’t interfered, she would have become an eight-time champ. Asuka heads to the ring.
Asuka tells Charlotte and Becky to forget Ronda, Asuka is the champ now. Charlotte and Becky both say Asuka doesn’t deserve the title. While they argue, Vince McMahon heads out to the ramp.
Vince congratulates Asuka on her victory. He also tells Becky and Charlotte that their conduct is unbecoming. Anything goes in a TLC match, and Asuka won fairly. He tells Becky and Charlotte to get over it, and if they have a problem to take it up with Ronda Rousey. He then asks Asuka if she’d like to defend her title tonight. Asuka seems ready, so Vince introduces her opponent: Naomi.
Match 1
SmackDown Women’s Title Match
Naomi vs Asuka (SD Women’s Champ)
(referee: Mike Chioda; at ringside: Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair)
Result: Asuka wins via submission with the Asuka Lock
Time: 12:27
Match Thoughts
Good match. It got pretty physical, and there were some pretty nice chains of holds and reversals. This was a fine first defense for the new champ.
Backstage
The Miz talks with Vince McMahon about Shane and his “trust issues.” Miz asks for Vince’s blessing for Shane to be his partner. Vince says he doesn’t give blessings, but Miz can prove himself if he can win a tag match of his own devising.
Backstage
Kayla Braxton welcomes Rusev and Lana. Rusev hopes the McMahons are paying attention. Rusev is a man of action, he’s handsome, and he crushed Shinsuke Nakamura last week. Rusev says Nakamura looked like Sonic the Hedgehog in his blue jumpsuit, but he can’t run away from Rusev.
Ring Area
Jeff Hardy heads to the ring. Jeff says he has made mistakes and has been weak in his past, but the past is in the past. Samoa Joe has said that he wants to apologize for what he’s done recently, so Jeff calls Joe to the ring.
Joe heads to the ring and says that he is sorry. He’s sorry for deceiving Jeff. This is not an apology, this is an intervention. Joe and the entire WWE Universe are worried. The holidays can be rough for a man like Jeff. Jeff says the more Joe reminds him about the past, the more Jeff knows he’s never going back there. Jeff says Joe attacks people’s weaknesses to cover his own insecurities. Is Joe insecure because he hasn’t won a title in the years he’s been on the main roster?
Joe attacks, but Jeff avoids and hits Joe with a Twist of Fate. Jeff leaves the ring as Joe angrily looks on.
Match 2
The Miz & Mandy Rose vs R-Truth & Carmella
(referee: Ryan Tran)
Result: The Miz pins R-Truth after the Skull Crushing Finale
Time: 1:27
Match Thoughts
This wasn’t much of a match, but it was sort of fun. At least we got a dance break.
Video
Lars Sullivan, Lacey Evans, Heavy Machinery, Nikki Cross, and EC3 are all headed to the main roster.
Ring Area
The Usos head to the ring. They say that no matter how things change, The Usos still run SmackDown Live. They didn’t get pinned in the triple threat title match, so they call out The Bar. Instead, The Club comes out to the stage. Karl Anderson says we see New Day and The Usos every week, but The Club hasn’t been on SmackDown since August. Luke Gallows says it’s time to clean house.
The Usos say they aren’t the reason The Club has been overlooked, but if you don’t step up, you get stepped on. The Club gets into the ring, and a referee joins them.
Match 3
The Usos vs Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: the match ends in a No Contest when SAnitY attacks both teams
Time: 7:46 (joined in progress)
Match Thoughts
This was a very good match cut relatively short by a fun attack. I’m definitely looking forward to more of this.
Ring Area
SAnitY continues their attack on everyone after the match while The Bar watches from the ramp. SAnitY finishes beating up The Club and The Usos, and they slowly walk past The Bar. Sheamus and Cesaro run down to the ring and pick up the scraps left by SAnitY.
Backstage
Shinsuke Nakamura wonders if he should be afraid of Rusev. He shows some clips of Rusev acting goofy on Total Divas. Nakamura says Rusev is no US Title contender, he is a “total diva.”
Backstage
AJ Styles and Mustafa Ali discuss stuff.
Backstage
New Day tells everyone to watch their special show tomorrow on USA.
Ring Area
Daniel Bryan heads to the ring. He says that he killed the “yes movement” and destroyed the house that AJ Styles built. But he is really a creator, and he is creating a better SmackDown Live. People are afraid of change though. Why else would they continue to live their lives of vacuous consumption? Fresno is the worst. The rank number one in pollution in California. Shame! But the new Daniel Bryan can show them the way.
Match 4
Daniel Bryan (WWE Champ) & Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega vs Mustafa Ali & AJ Styles
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: Mustafa Ali pins Daniel Bryan after the 054
Time: 13:30 (joined in progress; 1 break)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. This is kind of a dream match for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Show Impressions
Well, with both RAW and SmackDown getting “fresh starts,” I definitely think SmackDown is still the better show. I enjoyed tonight’s episode very much, and I am even more excited about what it set up for the next few weeks and possibly months.
Match of the Night
Bryan & Almas vs Ali & Styles
This was great. It wasn’t perfect, but it had me smiling the entire time.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2018-12-18