Is WWE SmackDown tonight live or pre-taped? (December 26, 2025)

This article contains SPOILERS.

WWE SmackDown (December 26, 2025) will not be live tonight. The episode airing this week was pre-taped on December 19 at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, due to the Christmas holiday season. 

The promotion held a double-taping last week of Raw and SmackDown at the arena as they prepare for the Holiday Tour after Christmas.

Even though it’s pre-taped, this week’s WWE SmackDown promises to be packed with news, advancing several key storylines as the company builds momentum toward the Royal Rumble season.

Major title change set to shake up the Blue brand

After delivering more than 50 episodes throughout 2025, Friday Night SmackDown will wrap up the year with its December 26 broadcast. This will also mark the final two-hour episode of the Blue Brand for the foreseeable future, as the show is set to return to a three-hour format beginning in 2026.

As usual, the show will feature Ilja Dragunov’s US title open challenge, and as per spoilers, Carmelo Hayes defeated Ilja to become the new United States Champion. A push for Hayes was long demanded by fans, and with recent incredible performances, it looks like WWE has finally rewarded the star.

Former TNA World Champion and NXT standout Joe Hendry will also have a major part on tonight’s show. Hendry will kick off the broadcast with a concert, featuring a holiday-themed remix in which he mocked The Miz during a parody of “Jingle Bells.” He will also battle The Miz in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight.

Also Read: WWE SmackDown Preview (December 26, 2025): Match card, news, spoilers, timings & where to watch

The Scottish Warrior returns to put the Champion on notice

After he was reinstated last week by General Manager Nick Aldis, Drew McIntyre will return tonight to put Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes on notice.

The segment between the two will set the stage for a match announcement, with Drew McIntyre facing Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match on the January 9 episode of SmackDown in Berlin.

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