SMACKDOWN LIVE Highlights For December 25, 2018: United States Title Match, Samoa Joe Vs Jeff Hardy And More

Here is a recap of the most noteworthy highlights from the December 25, 2018 edition of SmackDown Live for those who may have missed it:

— R-Truth and Carmella are in the festive spirit, but Daniel Bryan interrupts them to be a grinch and talk about consumerism and how R-Truth isn't the real Santa. R-Truth talks some trash about how if Bryan is still the champion at WrestleMania, he'll take the title from him, as he's #30 in the Royal Rumble. Bryan says R-Truth can't even count to 30 and R-Truth proves he can: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 second dance break!" but Bryan attacks him.

— Mustafa Ali defeated Andrade "Cien" Almas by pinfall

— The Usos and The Good Brothers defeated The Bar and SAnitY by pinfall (Karl Anderson pinned Cesaro)

— Mustafa Ali is embraced backstage and congratulated by Brian Kendrick, Akira Tozawa and Cedric Alexander, as well as Shelton Benjamin, who officially welcomes him to the SmackDown roster. Ali is attacked by Daniel Bryan, who says he doesn't deserve to be here.

— Shane McMahon is The Miz's guest on MizTV. The Miz asks about the changes coming to WWE, but no real answers are given. It's the same vague company speak about "new matches" and such. The Miz gives an impassioned speech about making his father proud and with the help of the audience cheering the concept on, he convinces Shane to finally agree to be his tag team partner.

— Samoa Joe defeated Jeff Hardy by disqualification after Hardy refuses to listen to the referee's count telling him to stop his attack on Joe. They continue to fight after the match and Joe ends up getting the better of Hardy.

— Mandy Rose makes a pass at Jimmy Uso under the mistletoe to try to mess with Naomi, keeping that feud going.

— Rusev defeated Shinsuke Nakamura by pinfall to win the United States Championship!!

— Backstage, Vince McMahon talks to AJ Styles and fires him up, asking who he is and why, if he's The Phenomenal One, is he not competing on SmackDown? Eventually, he pisses off Styles so much that Styles hits him, but Vince smiles about it.

What did you think of tonight's episode? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below!