Next Friday’s WWE SmackDown on FOX episode will be a special Christmas Eve episode on the night before December 25. On this occasion, WWE has announced that SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair will be defending her Women’s Title against Toni Storm in a singles contest.
The title match was confirmed during this week’s WWE Smackdown episode as Storm and Sasha Banks defeated Flair and Shotzi in a tag team action. In the opening match of the night, Flair went to the top for a moonsault but she landed on her feet as Storm moved away.
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Flair went for the follow-up moonsault but Storm got her knees up. Storm then bridged into a pin and secured the three counts. Since she was able to pin the champion, this title match opportunity was confirmed by the WWE on their social media handle, afterward.
Flair and Storm have been feuding for a few weeks now with Storm repeatedly demanding a title match opportunity. Flair got herself disqualified in last week’s Championship Contender match during WWE Smackdown. Prior to that, she also pie-faced Storm during the Thanksgiving episode, to intensify the rivalry.
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Christmas Gauntlet announced for WWE Smackdown
A 12 Days of Christmas Gauntlet Match has also been announced for next week’s Christmas Eve WWE SmackDown. The winner of this match will receive a title shot from WWE Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura. While it’s yet to be confirmed, WWE has indicated that the title match will take place on that same episode, possibly serving as the main event of the night.
The 12 participants for the Gauntlet Match have been announced and they are Ricochet, Cesaro, Mansoor, Erik, Ivar, Drew Gulak, Sheamus, Sami Zayn, Jinder Mahal, Shanky, Angel, and Humberto. Nakamura and Rick Boogs will be on commentary when the bout will be in progress.
Originally, Sami Zayn approached Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville, backstage, looking for an opportunity to the Universal Championship. His match was ruined by Brock Lesnar’s attack but he’s not getting a second shot to the title. However, he was inserted into that 12-man Gauntlet Match set for next week’s WWE Smackdown. If he can win then he’ll get an Intercontinental Championship match.
The December 24 episode of WWE Smackdown will be a taped edition from the All-State Arena in Chicago, Illinois, and the final episode for the year 2021.
