WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (December 12, 2025): Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest win; Cody Rhodes, Oba Femi face off ahead of SNME & more
(Courtesy : WWE.com)
Ilja Dragunov retains, Lash Legend pins Alexa Bliss & more!
With the road to Saturday Night’s Main Event already paved, this Friday’s edition of SmackDown promised one last blast before history is made in Washington, D.C.
On December 12, 2025, at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Friday Night SmackDown delivered a high-stakes, adrenaline-charged night.
With three massive matches on the card, including a mixed tag, a U.S. Title bout, and a high-octane singles showdown, this SmackDown served as the final go-home show before WWE legend John Cena bows out for good.
Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winners’ list for the 12/12 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
The new vs The Old
Cody Rhodes picked up the mic and blasted Drew McIntyre over the letter regarding an unsafe work environment. The champion said that Drew was only half-committed, adding that if he were his boss, he would have fired him.
Cody admitted that he wasn’t Drew’s boss and therefore couldn’t fire him, but said he could whop his a*s. The lights suddenly went out, and the music hit as NXT Champion Oba Femi appeared. Oba said that while he respected the passion, Cody was focused on the wrong man. Drew wasn’t in the building, but the NXT Champion was.
Oba then formally introduced himself to the Undisputed Champion and reminded him that they were set to battle the following night at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Femi declared that the future had arrived, that he was the present, and invoking Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect, said Cody’s time was up and his time was now.
Rhodes pointed out that it was a John Cena quote and noted that while they both looked up to Cena, he was the one who had beaten him. Cody dropped the mic and turned to leave, but Femi grabbed him and pulled him back for a tense face-off, with both champions holding up their titles.
Grade: B
Backstage Moments:
- Backstage, Fraxiom assured Ilja Dragunov that if anything went down with DIY that night, they would have his back. However, Ilja said he wanted to handle things on his own, explaining that he wanted to honor John Cena, who started the open challenge tradition.
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs Tomasso Ciampa – US title match
In the first match of the show, Tomasso Ciampa finally got his United States title shot as he battled the Champion Ilja Dragunov. Ciampa dripping with intensity matched Ilja’s intensity and started to attack Ilja’s previously injured knee.
However, when it got tought for Ciampa, Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae interrupted and tried to help Tomasso. However, Ilja managed to stack up Ciampa for a three pin to retain the titles. Gargano and Ciampa jumped Ilja after the match. Carmelo Hayes came in to aid the Champion, sending #DIY packing.
Winner & Still: Ilja Dragunov
Grade: A
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Another banger match to start the show, Ilja Dragunov is now 8-0 since his return and winning the title from Sami Zayn.
- Backstage, Je’Von Evans was interviewed about his tag team match at SNME. The Miz interrupted, complaining that Evans was getting airtime to promote a match while he wasn’t even booked for the show. The two argued back and forth, when Evans called Miz, ‘Unc’. Evans challenged Miz to a match, and Miz said he would take the idea to Nick Aldis to make it official, warning that if Evans got hurt, he wouldn’t make it to SNME.
The drama continues
Erik Rowan handed Uncle Howdy the mic as he sat down and addressed Solo Sikoa. Howdy said that Solo had made a lot of claims about his family. Howdy explained that Solo’s “real” family had his back, unlike him, because he used and abused those he claimed to love.
He added that Solo was out of his mind, pointing out that the MFTs ran nothing while the Wyatt Sicks held the Tag Team titles. Howdy declared that if Solo and his family wanted those titles, they could come and take them.
Solo Sikoa’s music then hit as the Wyatt Sicks prepared for a brawl, but Solo and the MFTs appeared via video instead. Sikoa stated that Howdy didn’t get to call the shots there, he did, and this time, they would do things his way.
He announced that next week they were coming for the titles and warned that if Howdy wanted to keep his family, he should hand the Tag Team titles over to the MFTs; otherwise, the only thing they could do was run.
Grade: B+
Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Backstage, Charlotte Flair played with Alexa Bliss’ hair while giving her a pep talk ahead of her match against Lash Legend, telling her she was going to win and that they would go after the tag titles afterward. Rhea Ripley then arrived, insisting that she and Iyo Sky were the ones coming for the tag titles. Bliss disagreed, and the two exchanged well wishes.
Alexa Bliss vs Lash Legend
The bell rang as Lash went for a big boot, but Alexa used her experience to outmaneuver her, sending her outside. Alexa attempted an attack from the apron, but Lash caught her mid-air and slammed her onto the barrier.
Lash then brought the action back into the ring, continuing the beatdown as Bliss struggled against the power and size disadvantage. Alexa bounced Lash off the ropes to catch a breather, only for Nia Jax to enter and attack her. Charlotte Flair rushed in to rescue Bliss, taking out Jax, before being caught with a big boot from Lash herself. Back in the ring, Lash delivered the Lash Extension to pin Alexa and secure the victory.
Winner: Lash Legend
Grade: C+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- A decent way to put over Lash but the match was too short to leave any impact.
- Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Zelina Vega and Aleister Black. Vega scoffed at Damian for bringing Rhea Ripley into the mix, while Black remarked that if Priest was so eager to drag his friends to hell with him, then so be it.
- The commentary announced that SmackDown will return to the three-hour format, with the change set to take effect on January 2, 2026.
Je’Von Evans vs The Miz
Ahead of his tag team match alongside Leon Slater at SNME, Je’Von Evans stepped into the SmackDown ring to take on The Miz who was determined to stop Evans from competing tomorrow. Miz even landed the pattended five knuckle shuffle and tried to deliver the AA, but Evans managed to hit the OG Cutter from the top rope to pick up the win.
Winner: Je’Von Evans
Grade: B+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Miz really put over Evans in the match, selling the OG Cutter perfectly.
- Backstage, Lash Legend and Nia Jax approached Rhea Ripley to threaten her. Ripley responded that Nia was only acting brave because she had backup, she added that if she and Iyo wanted the tag titles, they would have to take them. The two left, and Damian Priest arrived, expressing his excitement to see that energy in the ring. After he left, Jade Cargill appeared, staring Ripley down as she made her way towards the ring.
Jade Cargill vs Michin
Michin walked out to take on Jade Cargill in singles action and cut a promo, promising to give Cargill everything she had. Before she could finish, Cargill blindsided her in the Gorilla position and slammed her into the wall.
Cargill then called for her music, made her entrance, and grabbed the mic. She stated that what happened to Michin was what happens when women don’t know their place backstage, step up, and you get stepped on.
Michin then appeared despite the beatdown with a kendo stick in hand. She hit Jade several times, and went to bring out a table from under the ring, but Cargill intercepted with a kick. Jade tossed the table back, and when Michin met her on the apron, Cargill got inside the ring and chokeslammed her onto mat to put a stamp.
Winner: No match
Grade: C
Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley vs Aleister Black & Zelina Vega – Mixed tag team match
The final match of the show was the mixed-tag team match between the team of Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley and Aleister Black & Zelina Vega who attacked the former during the entrance. Things calmed down and Priest fought back tagging in Ripley who instantly took control over Vega.
Vega during the commercials managed to attack Rhea’s left arm and control the pace of the match. A hot tag to Priest shifted the tide, however, Vega once again jumped on his back to cause the distraction while Black delivered a brutal kick.
Vega and Ripley continued the battle, a botched Code Red almost ended the match, but both women were fine. Vega managed to hit the Code Red, the second time, but Rhea survived and faceplanted Vega onto the mat, attempting a cover herself before Black broke up the pin. Rhea and Black came face-to-face, and Aleister took a step back, only to be caught with a headbutt from Rhea.
Vega then attempted a roll-up on Ripley for a pin, but Rhea kicked out and lifted Vega as Black re-entered the action. Priest met him in the ring, delivering a double Razor’s Edge. Ripley landed the final blow, pinned Vega to secure the win in the mixed-tag team match.
Winner: Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley
Grade: B+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- According to Michael Cole on commentary, this was the first mixed tag team match on SmackDown in over two years.
- Black and Vega likely would have benifited from the win much more than Priest and Ripley.
WWE SmackDown 12/12 Results
- Oba Femi & Cody Rhodes faced off ahead of SNME
- Ilja Dragunov (c) pinned Tomasso Ciampa – US title match
- Lash Legend defeated Alexa Bliss
- Je’Von Evans pinned The Miz
- Jade Cargill & Michin brawled
- Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley defeated Aleister Black & Zelina Vega – Mixed tag team match
Who won in the main event of WWE SmackDown tonight?
Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley defeated Aleister Black & Zelina Vega in a Mixed tag team match to win in the main event tonight.
When and where will the upcoming edition of SNME take place?
The December 13 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event is set to emanate from the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.
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