WWE SmackDown Live Highlights – December 19th, 2017

WWE heads to the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ for tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live. Here are the highlights from tonight’s show:

Daniel Bryan opens the show talking about the Women’s Royal Rumble match. Bryan talks about the main event of tonight’s show before Shane McMahon comes out. Shane talks about what transpired at Sunday’s WWE Clash of Champions where Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn one their match with the assist from Daniel Bryan. Bryan said he did it to protect Shane from himself. Bryan and Shane talk about the vision for the SmackDown brand. Bryan says if he has a problem, he can fire him. Bryan says he doesn’t want Shane to turn into Vince McMahon. Shane says he turns Bryan before telling him “Good luck with the show tonight.”

Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin defeat The Usos.

Charlotte in-ring promo. She talks about her win at WWE Clash of the Champions and the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match. Charlotte says she will be waiting to defend her championship to whomever wins the Women’s Royal Rumble. Naomi comes out and announces herself as the first women in the Women’s Royal Rumble match. The new NXT rookies come out and Naomi calls them “chicken heads.”

Naomi & Charlotte defeated Sarah Logan & Ruby Riott.

Backstage segment with The New Day, Rusev Claus and Aiden English. Rusev Claus puts everyone on the naughty list before a challenge is issued. The New Day accepts.

Dolph Ziggler in-ring promo. Ziggler talks about all the championship titles he had won. He then drops the United States Championship Title and walks to the back. It appears that he just forfeited the title.

(Note: Ziggler’s contract was rumored to be expiring. We will keep updated)

The New Day defeat Rusev & Aiden English.

Randy Orton, Nakamura & AJ Styles defeated Jinder Mahal, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.