The December 12 edition of Friday Night SmackDown will serve as the go-home show ahead of John Cena’s final match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.
From new challengers emerging for gold, to big time title matches being announced, the final SmackDown before Cena’s retirement should see some big changes that will alter the landscape of SmackDown.
Here are six potential changes to WWE SmackDown before John Cena’s final match.
6. Nia Jax & Lash Legend Make Tag Team Debut
At WWE Survivor Series 2025, AJ Lee, Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair defeated Becky Lynch, Asuka, Kairi Sane, Nia Jax and Lash Legend in the Women’s WarGames Match.
Despite making her official main roster in-ring debut at the PLE, Lash Legend has yet to step in the ring on SmackDown since getting called up from WWE NXT.
Forming a partnership with Jax, Legend has showcased her unmatched strength and created a formidable tandem for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship picture with “The Irresistible Force.”
Nia and Lash making their tag team debut on SmackDown will help them to start establishing themselves ahead of potentially challenging Kabuki Warriors down the road.
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5. Tama Tonga Stakes His Claim To Ilja Dragunov’s United States Championship
Over the past few weeks, fans have seen Tama Tonga of the MFTs making it clear that he is coming for the United States Championship.
Interacting with Ilja Dragunov and giving quite a few veiled threats, Tonga looks to be setting himself up for a shot at gold in the near future.
While he has yet to answer the open challenge, Tama has consistently stalked and been just around the corner whenever Dragunov is around.
With Dragunov set to challenge Tommaso Ciampa for the title on the December 12 episode of SmackDown, Tama Tonga might appear to attack the winner and officially stake his claim for a shot at the U.S. Championship.
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4. The MFTs Get A Shot At The Wyatt Sicks For The WWE Tag Team Championships
Fans have watched a war start to brew on Friday Night SmackDown between The Wyatt Sicks and The MFTs.
On the December 5 episode of SmackDown, Solo Sikoa let the world know that The MFTs were gunning for the WWE Tag Team Championships after being attacked by Uncle Howdy the week prior.
This led to a full-on brawl breaking out between the two factions that has only heated things up heading into their future showdown.
The MFTs getting their opportunity to challenge The Wyatt Sicks for the WWE Tag Team Titles could happen as soon as the December 12 episode of SmackDown.
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3. The Terror Twins Settle The Score With Aleister Black & Zelina
Back in October, Aleister Black officially joined forces with his wife Zelina in the midst of his rivalry with Damian Priest.
After weeks of issues between the two rivals, Priest has decided to call upon his best friend and former Judgment Day stablemate Rhea Ripley to assist him against Black and Zelina.
Now, the December 12 Friday Night SmackDown will feature The Terror Twins facing Aleister Black and Zelina in a mixed tag team match.
With Ripley and Priest hellbent on vengeance against Black and Zelina, this mixed tag team bout should see the end of this months-long rivalry.
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2. Tiffany Stratton Returns For Revenge Against Jade Cargill
At the November 1 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Jade Cargill defeated Tiffany Stratton to win the WWE Women’s Championship.
Since this loss, Stratton has not been seen on WWE television with no signs of her return at the time of this writing.
Throughout 2025, Stratton was one of the most successful stars on the entire roster, holding the top prize for the SmackDown women’s division.
Stratton returning for revenge on Cargill could give the new champion a proper rival to deal with, which has been missing from her first month holding the title.
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1. Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre Final Undisputed WWE Championship Match Announced
On the December 5 episode of WWE SmackDown, Cody Rhodes tried to get some vengeance on Drew McIntyre by attacking him in his car.
With McIntyre suspended, Rhodes then begged SmackDown GM Nick Aldis to reinstate his rival, so he can get his hands on him to settle their score.
After facing each other at WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025 and the November 1 Saturday Night’s Main Event, this third meeting for the Undisputed WWE Championship should be the final bout between Rhodes and McIntyre.
Cody and Drew clashing one last time could be very intriguing and lead to some big overarching changes to SmackDown moving forward.
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