WWE SmackDown LIVE Results: December 26, 2017By Cassidy| December 27, 2017 WWE SmackDown Previous Page Detailed Results The final SmackDown LIVE of 2017 kicks off with SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan as Daniel says that, as 2017 comes to a close, one of the most shocking moments of the year happened last week. The GM then shows what happened last week when, two nights after winning the United States Title at Clash of Champions, Dolph Ziggler would walk off without the United States Title, leaving the title belt lying in the ring. Daniel says that he’s been trying to call Dolph all week but the United States Champion has not responded to his calls or his text messages. The GM then announces that, based on his actions last week, it appears that Dolph Ziggler has voluntarily relinquished the United States Championship. Daniel continues, saying that everyone wishes Dolph the “best of luck” before saying that Dolph is one of the “all-time greats” but they must move forward. Daniel then says that he and Shane McMahon are “proud” to have the history and the prestige of the United States Championship on SmackDown LIVE. The GM then announces that he is out there to announce that they will have a tournament to crown a brand new United States Champion and that tournament will start right here tonight! Daniel announces that, in a First Round Match of the United States Championship Tournament, Baron Corbin will go one-on-one with Bobby Roode. However, before the GM can announce any more of the First Round Matches, he is interrupted by Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin. Gable asks what Daniel is going to do about the SmackDown Tag Team Title situation with the GM responding by saying that Gable & Benjamin just got a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at Clash of Champions nine nights ago. Shelton argues that the match at Clash of Champions had two other teams in the mix, saying that they never got their match with just The Usos. Benjamin then says that they beat The Usos in a non-title match last week, proving that, had the match at Clash of Champions been just them against The Usos, they would be the SmackDown Tag Team Champions right now. Gable then tells Daniel that they’ve “earned” their opportunity before they’re interrupted by Rusev & Aiden English, much to the elation of the fans in Chicago. Aiden sings their argument for a shot at the tag team titles, pointing out that they beat the champions two weeks ago and they also weren’t the ones who took the fall at Clash of Champions. Aiden then sings that everyone knows what the day after Christmas is and, while Chad Gable says that it’s Boxing Day, Rusev is quick to correct Gable, declaring that it is Rusev Day. This brings out The New Day as Big E points out that Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin lost the match at Clash of Champions and, last week, they beat Rusev & Aiden English so they should be next in line for a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Titles. Rusev then presses Daniel Bryan to make a decision so the GM does just that, announcing that they are going to have a Triple Threat Tag Match right now with the winner earning a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Titles! With SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos guests on commentary, the opening match of the night would be a Triple Threat Tag Match as The New Day’s Big E & Xavier Woods, Rusev Day, and Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin would compete with the first team to score a pinfall or submission earning a future match for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles. During an incredible Triple Threat Tag Match, every team would give it their all with Rusev Day seemingly having the match won after Rusev powerbombs both Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin followed up with a frog splash from Aiden English. Shortly after this, Rusev would level Xavier Woods with a Machka Kick, leaving Chad Gable and Xavier Woods lying side-by-side. This would pave the way for an incredible feat of strength as Rusev would stack up both Gable and Woods before locking both men in the Accolade at the same time! However, Shelton Benjamin would break it up and, shortly after this, Big E would look for the Big Ending on Shelton but Shelton would fight out before delivering a vicious knee to Big E. Gable & Benjamin then hit their double team powerbomb clothesline with Gable pinning Big E to pick up the win in a wild match, earning a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Titles on next week’s SmackDown LIVE! In a rematch from last week’s SmackDown LIVE, Breezango would square off with The Bludgeon Brothers. During the match, The Bludgeon Brothers would dominate Breezango but, just when it looked like Breezango was about to be defeated once again, The Ascension comes to the aid of Breezango. Konnor & Viktor would attack Harper before quickly leaving the ring, grabbing Fandango & Tyler Breeze on their way out. With both women confirmed for the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match, Naomi would go one-on-one with The Riott Squad’s Ruby Riott, with Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan in her corner. In a short match, a distraction from Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan would give Ruby Riott the opening to take out the leg of Naomi before connecting with the Riott Kick, pinning Naomi for the win. After the match, The Riott Squad would put the boots to Naomi but SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair would try to make the save and, while Charlotte would briefly hold her own, the numbers game would overwhelm Charlotte. After tossing Charlotte out of the ring, The Riott Squad would look to stand dominant once again before they are confronted with the arrival of Natalya, Carmella, Tamina, & Lana, who enter the ring and get in the face of The Riott Squad. With the numbers game against them, The Riott Squad would try to back away but Natalya, Carmella, Tamina, & Lana would exit the ring to take the fight to The Riott Squad with The Riott Squad quick to break free and retreat to the back. In a First Round Match in the United States Championship Tournament, “Glorious” Bobby Roode would go one-on-one with former champion Baron Corbin. In the end, it was Bobby Roode catching Baron Corbin off-guard with a sunset flip roll-up, pinning Corbin to pick up the win and advance to the Semi-Finals of the United States Championship Tournament. With Bobby Roode already advancing in the United States Championship Tournament, the second First Round Match would see “The Perfect Ten” Tye Dillinger go one-on-one with “The Modern Day Maharaja” Jinder Mahal, with The Singh Brothers in his corner. In the end, it was Jinder Mahal hitting Tye Dillinger with the Khallas, pinning Dillinger to pick up the win and advance to the Semi-Finals of the United States Championship Tournament. One of the most vicious rivalries of 2017 would then be renewed as the main event of the evening would see WWE Champion AJ Styles square off with Kevin Owens, with Sami Zayn in his corner, in a non-title match. During the match, AJ Styles would dive to the outside to take out Sami Zayn before sending Kevin Owens into the ring post. AJ then rolls Owens back into the ring before sizing Owens up for the Phenomenal Forearm. This is when Sami Zayn would get involved, distracting AJ Styles long enough for Kevin Owens to take advantage, leveling the WWE Champion with a super kick, but AJ is able to kick out at the last second. This brings out SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon, who instructs the referee to eject Sami Zayn from ringside. The referee does just that and this sparks an argument between Shane and Sami on the outside, which draws the attention of the referee. Meanwhile, AJ Styles rolls up Kevin Owens but the referee is distracted by Shane McMahon and Sami Zayn on the outside so no count is made. AJ then argues with the referee, allowing Kevin Owens to surprise AJ Styles with a roll-up, pinning the WWE Champion to pick up the win, much to the shock and dismay of Shane McMahon. After the match, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn celebrate Kevin Owens’ victory as AJ Styles leaves the ring, staring a hole through Shane McMahon before walking to the back. Shane then looks on as Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn continue their celebration in the ring. What did you think of the final SmackDown LIVE of 2017? Post your comments in the box below.
