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Shane McMahon is in the back and he has a message for the Smackdown roster. He mentions Raw and the wrestlers start to grumble. He says the McMahon family ushered in a new era. An era of change for Raw and Smackdown. There will be a lot of new faces, matchups, and opportunities. They owe it to ourselves and the fans. Shane says this starts tonight and he wants people to grab the brass ring and pull it down.
Shane brings out Paige to thank her for what she has done. Shane thanks Paige for her contribution. She is not leaving, but her role is going to change. Everyone is happy for Paige, except for Andrade Almas.
We are in Fresno, California and your announcers are Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, and David Otunga.
Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring.
Becky says she does not care who is running the show because The Man is in charge. Everyone is in the back listening to some corporate nonsense. She says she does not do business well. This is where the real business is conducted. Becky says she wants the Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey. Becky tells Ronnie that when she got into her business, she got in her face and made her tap out in the dressing room. At TLC, you didn't have the courtesy to get in her face. Becky says she has worked way to hard for way to long for some Roddy Piper cosplayer to take it from her.
Charlotte Flair makes her way to the ring.
Charlotte tells Becky to take a number. She tells Becky to take number two and stand behind the queen. Ronda stole her opportunity at TLC.
Becky says speaking of cosplayers. Becky says her days of standing behind Charlotte are over.
Charlotte says the days of looking up to her are then, now, and forever. Charlotte says the odds are that if Ronda was not there, Charlotte would have become an Eight Time Women's Champion.
The Smackdown Women's Champion Asuka's music interrupts and she makes her way to the ring.
Asuka says to forget Ronda because Asuka is the champion now.
Charlotte says Asuka should be thanking Ronda. Becky says Asuka never beat her.
Before Becky and Charlotte can finish arguing, ominous music plays and Vince McMahon makes his way to the stage.
Vince wishes everyone a Happy Holidays. Vince congratulates Asuka on her victory. He tells Becky that this is conduct unbecoming an individual. Are you angry because you expect something? Charlotte, you are making excuses too. You participated in a TLC match and anything goes and anyone can get involved. Ronda Rousey got involved and she said she would write the next chapters in your careers. Vince tells them to take out their problems on Ronda.
Vince asks Asuka if she would like to defend her championship tonight. Vince asks if anyone is ready for Asuka. We will find out who it will be.
Naomi makes her way out and she has a mic. Naomi tells Charlotte you have had your opportunities. Becky, you were the man, but you don't have the title any more. Naomi says she wants it.
Vince gives us the match.
Match Number One: Naomi versus Asuka for the Smackdown Women's Championship
They lock up and we see Charlotte and Becky politely watching from ringside. Asuka with a wrist lock and Naomi with a reversal. Asuka with forearms and an arm drag into an arm bar. Naomi with a head scissors and Asuka escapes. Asuka with a head scissors and Naomi escapes. Asuka with a waist lock and Naomi lands on her feet on a suplex attempt. Asuka and Naomi go for drop kicks at the same time and go to a stalemate. They go for a test of strength and Naomi with a wrist lock. Asuka with a kick and Naomi with a waist lock and snap mare.
Naomi with a kick to the back. Asuka blocks a kick and applies an ankle lock. Naomi with a full nelson bomb for a near fall. Naomi with a body scissors and Asuka leans back for a near fall. Naomi with a rollup for a near fall. Asuka with an arm bar. Asuka with an Irish whip and Naomi tries to float over and Asuka with a kick to the midsection. Asuka kicks Naomi in the back against the ropes. Naomi with a back elbow and Naomi goes to the turnbuckles and Asuka with an octopus in the ropes. Asuka has words for Becky and Charlotte and that allows Naomi to recover and hit a side Russian leg sweep from the ropes and both women are down.
Asuka goes to the floor and Naomi with a pescado onto Asuka. They return to the ring and Naomi gets a near fall. Naomi sends Asuka into the turnbuckles and kicks Asuka. Naomi chokes Asuka in the corner. Asuka with forearms and kicks. Naomi drives the knee into the mat. Naomi with a sliding clothesline and applies a reverse chin lock. Asuka with punches but Naomi pushes Asuka and connects with speedball kicks. Both women with kicks and they both go down. Both women get to the ropes to get back to their feet to beat the count. Asuka misses a hip attack and gets caught in the ropes. Naomi with a drop kick that sends Asuka to the floor.
Naomi has a baseball slide blocked and Asuka pulls Naomi to the floor. Asuka sends Naomi back into the ring and Asuka goes up top and hits a missile drop kick to the back and Naomi goes to the floor. Asuka follows Naomi to the floor and kicks Naomi. Asuka tries to send Naomi into the ringside barrier but Naomi with a round kick off the ringside barrier. They both get back into the ring at nine. Naomi and Asuka with forearms as they go back and forth. Naomi with the advantage but Asuka with the pop up knee to the head. Naomi with a round kick to the temple as Asuka charges into the corner. Naomi with a double jump split legged moonsault but Asuka gets her knees up and then she applies the Asuka Lock. Naomi leans back off the turnbuckles and gets a near fall with a rollup.
Asuka holds on to the Asuka Lock and Naomi escapes. Asuka rolls Naomi up and Naomi with a Victory Roll for a near fall. Naomi with Rear View for a near fall. Naomi goes to the apron and goes for a springboard move but Asuka counters with a Codebreaker for a near fall. Asuka with an Asuka Lock and Naomi taps out.
Winner: Asuka (retains Championship)
After the match, Charlotte and Becky get up as Asuka shows them her title belt.
We see the door for the McMahon's locker room and Miz knocks on the door. Vince opens the door and he asks Miz about the level of his knocking. Miz asks if Shane is around and Vince says that Shane cannot come out to play. Miz says that he is the most loyal superstar on the roster. When you need anything, he is here. Miz says he might get out of hand at times. Miz says if he teams with Shane they can be the best tag team in the world.
Vince asks what can he do for Miz.
Miz says he can be a worthy partner for Shane and he asks for Vince's blessing.
Vince says he does not give blessings, but he will let Miz prove himself. Vince will get a team and he will have Miz pick a partner.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Rusev and Lana are in the interview area. Rusev is asked about his victory over Shinsuke Nakamura in last week's tag match. Rusev says he hopes the McMahons are watching. He is a man of action and he told Nakamura he had to be afraid of him. Rusev says he is handsome and a hunk. He has amazing biceps. Rusev talks about his beard and how you can make thousands of dollars to make clothes for babies. Nakamura looks like Sonic the Hedgehog. When Rusev gets his hands on Nakamura, he will win the title on the greatest day . . . Rusev Day.
Jeff Hardy's music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Jeff says he heard Samoa Joe wanted to apologize to him. Some of the things that Joe said were true. He was weak and he made mistakes, but that was then and this is now. Jeff appreciates the fact that every day he wakes up and he is alive, well, and here. Jeff says he wants to hear this apology face to face.
Samoa Joe comes out and he tells Jeff Hardy he is sorry. He says he is sorry because this is no apology. Joe says he has been forced to deceive Jeff. This is an intervention. Joe tells Jeff to look at him. Joe says he has known Jeff for a while and everyone is worried. It is the holidays and with Jeff's fragile nature, his demons will get to him.
Jeff says the more than Joe reminds him, the more he will not go back. Jeff says he sees through Joe. You attack people's weaknesses to cover up for your own insecurities Joe. What haunts you? Is it that you have been here for two years and you haven't won a championship?
Hardy blocks a punch and kicks Joe and hits a Twist of Fate.
We go to commercial.
We are back and R Truth mentions that him and Carmella won the Mixed Match Challenge and they will be Number 30 in the Royal Rumble and they will be going to WWE headquarters in Stamford. Truth says they are looking forward to this match against Miz and Maryse.
Match Number Two: Miz and Mandy Rose versus R Truth and Carmella
Mandy and Carmella start things off and they lock up. Mandy with a snap mare but Carmella with a satellite head scissors and drop kick. MIz tags in and Truth with a rollup for a near fall. Truth clotheslines Miz over the top rope to the floor. It is time for a DANCE BREAK!
Mandy misses a knee and Carmella with a super kick. Miz with a Skull Crushing FInale on Truth for the three count.
Winners: Mandy Rose and Miz
We take a look back at what happened last week when Mustafa Ali faced Daniel Bryan.
We are told that Mustafa Ali is now a member of the Smackdown roster.
We go to commercial.
Coverage continues on Next Page
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