- Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov scored a key win over DIY on Friday’s SmackDown.
- The MFT vs. Wyatt Sicks tag title match ended in a no-contest after a 10-man brawl.
- Nia Jax and Lash Legend defeated the Kabuki Warriors, hinting at the women’s tag picture.
- Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre continues to shape the Undisputed WWE Championship story.
Tag title chaos ends flat
Friday’s SmackDown closed with the men’s tag team championship match between the MFT and the Wyatt Sicks — and it ended in frustration. The match dissolved into an all-out brawl as all 10 members spilled to the floor. With the referee calling for the bell, the contest finished as a no-contest and left the tag scene unresolved.
The visuals were intense, but the booking felt disappointing. Many fans wanted a decisive title change or a clean finish to elevate the MFT as champions. Instead, the inconclusive ending sets up either a rematch or a stipulation bout down the line, but it fails to deliver a memorable turning point for the tag division.
Carmelo Hayes stands out with Ilja Dragunov
One bright spot of the show was the victory by Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes over DIY. Carmelo Hayes, in particular, looked sharp — mixing quick offense with crisp ring awareness to help secure the win. The result gives Hayes momentum heading into the holiday stretch and keeps him in the conversation for higher-profile pairings and future title opportunities.
Hayes’ performance suggested WWE is willing to continue building him as a multi-dimensional performer who can work in tag settings as well as singles matches. Teaming with Dragunov added a gritty edge to Hayes’ style and created believable chemistry that could be revisited in future storylines.
Dec. 19 SmackDown results (highlights)
• Nia Jax & Lash Legend def. Kabuki Warriors
• Giulia def. Alba Fyre
• Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes def. DIY
• MFT vs. Wyatt Sicks — no contest
Women’s tag picture and midcard momentum
Nia Jax and Lash Legend picked up a meaningful victory over the Kabuki Warriors, hinting at a potential run toward the women’s tag team championships. Their win injects new intrigue into the division and gives WWE another pairing to push while existing champions deal with other feuds.
Other midcard angles continued to simmer. Damian Priest and Aleister Black traded blows backstage, suggesting their rivalry isn’t finished, while The Miz set his sights on Joe Hendry — an encounter that could be useful to establish Hendry’s WWE debut momentum.
What to watch next
Expect the tag title storyline to get another chapter — likely a rematch with stipulations or a multi-team bout to settle the score. Watch how WWE uses Carmelo Hayes moving forward: his win alongside Dragunov could lead to more high-profile matches or a renewed singles push.
Cody Rhodes’ heated promo and the ongoing Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre program remain the chief narrative heading toward Royal Rumble. For now, SmackDown offered moments of promise but a tag title main event that left more questions than answers.
Image Referance: https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/47363840/wwe-smackdown-takeaways-tag-team-title-match-leaves-desired
