Tonight is the final two hour episode of SmackDown before the show expands to three hours to kick off 2026. WWE needs to bolster the blue brand’s roster to prepare for the big change, leading to rumors like NXT star Trick Williams is already listed internally as a SmackDown wrestler. One NXT star who we know for sure is appearing on tonight’s episode of SmackDown is Joe Hendry. He is one of the handful of NXT talents who were showcased on the night that John Cena retired at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Hendry appeared in the ring after The Miz said his name during a comedy segment with R-Truth. The scene ended with The Miz getting his ass kicked by both babyfaces, who posed over his body as WWE fans sang Hendry’s super catchy theme song.

The Miz is seething after being humiliated like that, so he demanded a match against Hendry tonight. GM Nick Aldis gladly granted his request, which means the Joe Hendry craze finally gets to take over main roster WWE with his first official match on the blue brand. I can’t imagine that WWE will introduce Hendry on SmackDown with a loss, especially against low card fodder like The Miz, so it’s shaping up to be a big night for the former TNA world champion. I bet more WWE fans will believe in Joe Hendry than Santa Claus when all is said and done. McIntyre also gets to choose the stipulation for his title match against Cody, so we’ll see if he chooses one where it doesn’t matter if Cody is above the law. Rhodes will be stripped of the title if lays a finger on Drew, but that condition doesn’t apply in the other direction. That lays the groundwork for Rhodes to take a beating tonight as Drew’s suspension officially comes to an end.

United States Champion Ilja Dragunov’s business with Tommaso Ciampa appears to be over after the champ teamed up with Carmelo Hayes to beat DIY last week. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss ran off Nia Jax and Lash Legend last week after the latter duo defeated WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka and Kairi Sane in a non-title match. Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY are getting the next title shot against the Kabuki Warriors, which is scheduled for the Jan. 5 episode of Raw. Michin tried to get some payback on WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill last week by attacking her with a kendo stick, but it’s only delaying the inevitable.