The December 5th edition of SmackDown delivered everything fans crave—drama, confrontation, questionable decisions, and the unexpected. But beyond the results, there's something much bigger happening across the blue brand: a shift in power, attitude, and direction. And honestly, some of it just doesn't sit right.

Here are my biggest takeaways and reactions to a chaotic night on SmackDown.

Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre: A Rivalry That's Crossing Lines

Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre are locked into one of the most heated personal rivalries in WWE today, but now we've reached a point where the feud is raising real questions about fairness and accountability.

Drew is suspended.
Cody is… still doing whatever he wants.

Rhodes attacking McIntyre at SmackDown despite the suspension should carry consequences. Yet General Manager Nick Aldis has done nothing. Why is the standard only enforced on Drew? Why is Rhodes allowed to attack a suspended superstar without even a warning?

This raises the bigger issue:
How far is this rivalry going to go, and what is WWE willing to allow before someone steps in?

With Cody scheduled for a match at Saturday Night's Main Event next week, the door is wide open for McIntyre—suspension or not—to cause chaos. And honestly… I expect it. WWE knows that injecting Drew into that moment will elevate the stakes and push Rhodes into an even more unstable emotional state.

But beyond Drew, another question needs answering:

Where is the rest of the SmackDown roster?
Where are the other legitimate contenders?
Why is no one else stepping up to go after the title?

The main-event scene feels narrow, and it's time other superstars break through before the Cody–Drew feud becomes repetitive.

Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov, and Tommaso Ciampa: Brewing a Triple Threat Storm

Carmelo Hayes nearly captured the United States Championship, but once again, his mouth became his downfall. Calling Tommaso Ciampa a "jackass" while walking backstage? That was a mistake that cost him everything.

Ciampa's interference gave Dragunov the opening he needed—yet this leads to a bigger storyline issue:
Dragunov keeps winning because of outside help.

He wants to be a fighting champion.
He preaches honor and respect.
But he's not fulfilling that ideal when every win is tainted by someone else's involvement.

This triangle is only going to get worse, and honestly, I think we're headed toward:

Dragunov vs. Hayes vs. Ciampa — Triple Threat for the U.S. Title

Three completely different styles, three egos, and three men with something to prove.
This is the kind of chaos that will restore energy to the mid-card division. However, next Friday will be Dragunov vs Ciampa for the U.S. title.  

The Women's Tag Team Division Is Heating Up

Finally—finally—the women's tag team division is getting real momentum.

• Kabuki Warriors (Champions)

• Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss

• Nia Jax & Lash Legend

• Judgment Day's Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez

This is the deepest the division has felt in years. Everyone wants a shot at the Kabuki Warriors, and there's a real sense that things are about to explode into a multi-team storyline.

Alexa Bliss showed fire on SmackDown, Charlotte Flair looks more motivated than she has all year, and Judgment Day's involvement adds unpredictability to every segment.

This is the kind of depth the division has needed.

Solo Sikoa Makes His Intentions Clear — Wyatt Sicks Respond

Solo Sikoa staring into the camera and saying:

"Everything that was his (Bray Wyatt/The Fiend), is yours (Uncle Howdy), will become mine."

Chills.
Straight chills.

The Wyatt Sicks vs. MFT brawl proves this feud is far from over. Solo is stepping into darker territory than ever before, embracing a psychological war that goes beyond titles or bragging rights.

This storyline has the potential to be one of the most compelling character arcs on SmackDown—if WWE lets it breathe.

Gunther Taps Out LA Knight and Punches His Ticket to Face John Cena

Gunther wins the Last Time Is Now Tournament by making LA Knight tap out—a statement victory from a man who doesn't need to speak to dominate.

And now?
We have the final John Cena opponent:

Gunther vs. John Cena — Cena's Last WWE Match

This is the perfect matchup.
The most dominant modern-day wrestler vs. a living icon closing his legendary career.

Gunther making Knight submit tells us everything…
Cena is in for a war.

This match is more than a sendoff—it's a passing of the torch to one of WWE's most powerful future main-eventers.

Final Thoughts

SmackDown was high energy, but the underlying stories are starting to take shape:

• Cody vs. Drew is crossing lines and needs consequences.

• The U.S. title scene is about to explode into a triple-threat war.

• The women's tag division looks better than it has in years.

• Solo Sikoa and the Wyatt Sicks are building something special.

• Gunther vs. Cena will be emotional, brutal, and historic.

WWE is setting the stage for a chaotic and unforgettable Saturday Night's Main Event.