WWE Smackdown will go Hollywood for a week as it emanates from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, next week. Previously, Brock Lesnar has been announced for the night that goes down on December 10. Now, two matches and a big main roster debut have also been confirmed for the show.
It has been announced that Xia Li will debut “The Protector” gimmick on next week’s WWE SmackDown. This will mark the first main roster appearance for her since being called up from WWE NXT in the WWE Draft in October. There’s no update on whether she will compete in a match.
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See you Next Friday! ??⚔️?? #SmackDown #TheDefender #Destroyer #Protector https://t.co/idFcWOW58k
— Xia Li (@XiaWWE) December 4, 2021
For weeks now, WWE has been airing vignettes around her “powerful story” and “dark history” that helped her become a “fierce warrior” billed as The Protector. A “coming soon” teaser vignette on November 5 was aired for showcasing Li’s “hard-hitting fighting style as the first Chinese-born female Superstar” to compete on the blue brand, but then from November 19 onward, they began airing vignettes about The Protector.
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Two matches set for Hollywood WWE Smackdown
Sonya Deville vs. Naomi has also been announced for next week’s WWE SmackDown. This could very well mark the end of their weeks-long feud. If this match does end up happening then this would be Deville’s first match since losing the No DQ Loser Leaves WWE Match to current NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose at SummerSlam 2020.
Deville vs. Naomi was also announced for the October 15 WWE SmackDown but then Deville teamed with Shayna Baszler to defeat Naomi in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match. The two rivals never really got physical in that match as it ended up being a one-sided affair.
A tag team match has also been confirmed for next Friday night where Drew McIntyre and Jeff Hardy will be taking on Madcap Moss and Happy Baron Corbin. This will be a rematch from the November 26 episode, which saw Hardy and McIntyre picking up the win.
The rematch was made after a Happy Talk segment on this week’s WWE SmackDown. Corbin and Moss were cracking jokes about the two babyfaces until McIntyre came out to the entrance-way with his sword. Corbin then digested a sneak Twist of Fate attack by Hardy while Moss received a Claymore Kick from McIntyre to go down.
The updated lineup for the December 10 WWE Smackdown stands as follows,
* Xi Li makes her SmackDown debut
* Sonya Deville returns to the ring against Naomi
* Jeff Hardy and Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Baron Corbin and Madcap Moss
* Number-one contender for the Universal Title, Brock Lesnar to continue WWE Day 1 build with the champion Roman Reigns (announced by Staples Center)