The WWE holiday week delivered a new United States Champion, questionable creative decisions, and enough content to fuel Dave Simon’s annual Festivus grievance about pro wrestling being too long and tedious. On the December 26th episode of Wrestling Uncensored, Dave and pro wrestler Genesis Johnny North broke down taped editions of SmackDown and Raw before turning their attention to tonight’s AEW World’s End 2025 pay-per-view.
The biggest takeaway from WWE? Carmelo Hayes finally captured gold by defeating Ilja Dragunov for the US Title in a legitimately hard-hitting match. The biggest groan? Opening SmackDown with Miz versus Joe Hendry in a “Miracle on 34th Street fight” that had Dave questioning everything about modern wrestling booking.
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Dave’s Festivus Grievance: Pro Wrestling Shows Are Too Long and Boring
Before diving into the WWE holiday week recap, Dave Simon had to air his annual grievances—and this year’s target was the entire wrestling industry.
“Here’s my grievance with pro wrestling as a whole for 2025. All of your shows are too long and boring,” Dave declared. “This is coming from a guy who watches a lot of baseball. I watched 19 full days of Major League Baseball this year, and I find pro wrestling boring.”
The criticism extended to both companies. WWE’s SmackDown is going to three hours next week, and AEW is running what Dave predicts will be a six-to-seven-hour pay-per-view tonight.
“There’s good stuff, and then there’s a lot of not-so-good stuff that we still have to watch because you want to get to the good stuff,” Dave explained. The sentiment captures what many fans have been saying about the current state of professional wrestling.
WWE SmackDown Recap: Carmelo Hayes Delivers, Joe Hendry Does Not
The Worst Way to Open a Show
SmackDown opened with Miz versus Joe Hendry in a “Miracle on 34th Street fight,” and neither host was impressed.
“They opened a show with the Miz and Joe Hendry,” Dave said with disbelief. “It was bad.”
The match featured R-Truth in a bunny costume (because he thought it was Easter), plus interference from Otis and Akira Tozawa helping Hendry get the win. Dave’s assessment of Joe Hendry’s ceiling was brutally honest.
“He’s like in that bracket of pro wrestling where he can wrestle guys like Miz and beat him. He can hang out with Tozawa and R-Truth, but that’s kind of where he’s at. He’s like a low-card, opening-match type of guy. Not a main eventer, not a real guy to take seriously.”
Johnny noted that WWE specifically said Hendry was “from NXT” rather than TNA, suggesting he’s officially part of the WWE roster now—meaning fans can expect more of him.
Carmelo Hayes Captures the US Title
The highlight of the WWE holiday week came when Carmelo Hayes defeated Ilja Dragunov for the United States Championship in a legitimately good match.
“Hard-hitting. Both guys had red chests from chops, punches, and stuff. They went all out,” Dave acknowledged.
Johnny was pleased to see Hayes finally get something after being pushed as a top draft pick since 2024. However, Dave expressed concern about the title’s trajectory.
“That US title has been pretty meaningless for a while, though,” Dave noted. He traced the problem back through Sami Zayn’s open challenges honoring John Cena, through Dragunov’s reign facing Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano. “I just haven’t cared about anything he’s done.”
The hosts’ biggest concern? More open challenges. With Gargano attacking Hayes after the match, it seems WWE is heading right back into the same formula.
“I hope it’s not more open challenges. Do something else,” Dave pleaded. “When you’re Ilja Dragunov, and you’re doing open challenges, it’s like, hey, I’m a low-level champion. Literally anybody, including Carmelo Hayes, can beat me.“
Charlotte Flair vs. Lash Legend: A Rough Outing
Charlotte Flair defeated Lash Legend in a match that exposed the rookie’s limitations on the main roster.
“The match was not good. It was really jerky. Tentative. Where are you going? Are you good?” Dave described. “It wasn’t smooth in any way. It’s a little shaky.”
Johnny observed that at one point Charlotte seemed lost or winded, and Lash Legend couldn’t adapt. “It just goes to show she’s a rookie. She’s still trying to learn how to work on the main roster.”
Dave’s verdict: “She’s got an impressive look. Big, strong, she can do some stuff. But the match did not quite work.”
Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes: Three Stages of Hell
SmackDown closed with Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes setting up their next chapter—a Three Stages of Hell match in Berlin on January 9th.
Johnny explained the stipulation for viewers unfamiliar: “Basically, it’s like three matches. It could be any three types of matches. Like a singles match, then a last man standing, then a cage match.”
The hosts noted WWE is stacking their January cards with big matches on both brands to kick off the new year.
WWE Raw Recap: Punk Takes a Loss, Maxine Dupree Gets Pushed
Asuka Beats Rhea Ripley with Interference
Raw featured Asuka defeating Rhea Ripley thanks to outside interference—a result that surprised no one but continues the chaotic booking of the women’s division.
The Becky Lynch and Maxine Dupree Promo Divide
Becky Lynch cut a promo that led to a confrontation with Maxine Dupree, and the hosts had wildly different takes.
“Maxine had to show up and ruin it all. She’s not good,” Dave said bluntly. “I’m so uninterested in her in every way.”
Johnny disagreed: “For Maxine Dupree, you have to understand this too. Don’t set the bar high here. It’s the Maxine Dupree bar. For her, this is the best promo I think she’s ever cut.”
Dave wasn’t buying it. “The delivery was weird.” He mimicked her cadence before concluding: “Becky makes everything work. Maxine is terrible.”
Johnny warned that the push is on regardless: “You’re gonna see a lot of Maxine Dupree. They’re pushing her like crazy.”
Jevon Evans: Athletic But Missing Something
Jevon Evans defeated one of the Americanos in a match that showcased his incredible athleticism but left Dave wanting more.
“He jumps very far. He did a dive, and he just went so far outside the ring. It was very impressive,” Dave acknowledged. “But there’s something missing. He does cool moves, but there’s just nothing there. I don’t buy the character. I don’t know what the character is.”
Johnny compared Evans to Kyle Fletcher, and Dave pinpointed the difference: “Kyle Fletcher wrestles in character. Jevon Evans doesn’t have a character to wrestle in.”
CM Punk and Rey Mysterio Lose to Bronson Reed and Austin Theory
In the main event of Raw, CM Punk and Rey Mysterio fell to Bronson Reed and Austin Theory. Johnny saw this as a sign of things to come.
“That kind of solidifies, I think Punk’s gonna win January 5th because I feel like they’re giving Bron a lot over right now. I think Punk’s finally gonna get some retribution.”
Punk also had a face-to-face confrontation with Gunther in the ring, teasing potential future programs.
Royal Rumble Speculation: Gunther or Roman?
The hosts debated who should win the Royal Rumble. Dave pushed for Gunther: “He should win the Rumble. Piss everybody off. Be great.”
Johnny sees Roman Reigns as the favorite: “I think there’s a high possibility of him. I think he should be the favorite right now after what happened at Survivor Series.”
Dave countered that Roman doesn’t need the Rumble win—he can get a WrestleMania match with Cody just by existing, or win the Elimination Chamber.
WWE’s Massive January Schedule
The hosts broke down WWE’s packed January calendar:
December 29 Raw (Orlando): Triple threat for Women’s World Title (Rhea Ripley vs. Nikki Bella vs. Raquel Rodriguez), Tag titles on the line (Usos vs. AJ Styles & Dragon Lee)
January 5 Raw (Brooklyn): CM Punk defends World Title against Bron Breaker, Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs. Damage CTRL for Women’s Tag Titles
January 9 SmackDown (Berlin): Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes – Three Stages of Hell
WWE then embarks on a massive European tour through late January, culminating with the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia on January 31st. The company won’t return to US soil until February 2nd in Philadelphia.
“They will be leaving the United States, their final show in the US on January 5th in Brooklyn, then they will be doing a month of shows outside of the United States,” Dave explained.
AEW World’s End 2025 Predictions: MJF Takes the World Title
With the WWE holiday week recap complete, the hosts turned to tonight’s AEW World’s End 2025 pay-per-view from Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
AEW World Championship Four-Way: MJF’s Moment
Samoa Joe defends the AEW World Championship against MJF, Swerve Strickland, and Hangman Adam Page. Both hosts agreed on the outcome.
“Why have the match if MJF’s not winning?” Johnny asked. “MJF’s the best option right now for AEW going forward.”
Dave explained the booking logic: “I think Joe was just a transitional champion, so Hangman didn’t have to lose to MJF. Hangman could lose to Joe, and then Joe could lose to MJF, and then Hangman and MJF can do stuff as we advance.”
PREDICTION: MJF wins the AEW World Championship at AEW World’s End 2025
Continental Classic Tournament
The semifinals and finals all take place tonight. Johnny picked Okada to beat Takeshita, then Moxley, and win the whole tournament.
Dave went the opposite direction: “I got Fletcher beating Konosuke in the main event.”
Johnny supported the logic: “Konosuke is already a New Japan champ. He doesn’t need another title.”
DAVE’S PREDICTION: Takeshita over Okada, Fletcher over Moxley, Fletcher wins the final
JOHNNY’S PREDICTION: Okada over Takeshita, Moxley over Fletcher, Okada wins the final
Kris Statlander vs. Jamie Hayter (Women’s World Title)
“I like her as champion. I think she’s doing good,” Dave said of Statlander.
Johnny prefers Hayter’s work but acknowledged the booking reality: “I think they like Statlander as the champion and they want her to run with it.”
PREDICTION: Kris Statlander retains
Babes of Wrath vs. Mercedes Moné & Athena (Women’s Tag Titles)
“Athena comes and goes. She’s in AEW, then she’s back in Ring of Honor,” Johnny explained. “If this were Mercedes and Bayley, then yes, put the title on them right away. But it’s not.”
PREDICTION: Babes of Wrath retain
FTR vs. Bang Bang Gang (Chicago Street Fight – Tag Titles)
“FTR. I mean, come on. What are we doing here?” Dave dismissed any chance of a title change.
PREDICTION: FTR retains
Darby Allin vs. Gabe Kidd (Split Decision)
The only match where the hosts disagreed.
“I think Gabe Kidd gets the win,” Dave predicted.
Johnny went contrarian: “Every time you pick Darby, he loses. I’m gonna pick Darby again just because he’s got to win finally.”
DAVE’S PREDICTION: Gabe Kidd
JOHNNY’S PREDICTION: Darby Allin
Mixed Nuts Mayhem
Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, Wheeler Yuta, Marina Shafir) vs. The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong, Toni Storm)
Dave noted the husband-wife dynamic between Strong and Shafir: “Haven’t they done that already?”
PREDICTION: Babyface team wins
Johnny’s Movie Corner: Anaconda Review
Johnny North also delivered his review of the new Anaconda film starring Paul Rudd and Jack Black. For the full breakdown of this meta horror-comedy sequel, check out our separate movie review article.
What’s Next: Year in Review Coming Soon
With the holiday week delivering limited breaking news, Dave and Johnny promised their full 2025 Year in Review show is coming next week.
“It’ll be slower next week. We’ll do a year in review, all that stuff,” Dave confirmed.
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