WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from December 22

The WWE Intercontinental Championship took center stage Tuesday night, as Dolph Ziggler and Kevin Owens challenged Dean Ambrose in a Triple Threat match.

An outstanding main event featured The Lunatic Fringe overcoming a nasty suplex and the tough challenge of his opponents to emerge victorious.

His was not the only title on the line, though.

The New Day successfully retained the WWE Tag Team Championships with a win over The Lucha Dragons.

Divas champion Charlotte battled Brie Bella, while The Usos, winners of the 2015 Tag Team of the Year Slammy, sought vengeance against The League of Nations.

How did each match on Tuesday's live special grade out, and how will the results affect the future of the show and the Superstars involved?

Take a look for yourself with this analysis from the December 22 episode of SmackDown.

WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Lucha Dragons vs. The New Day

The WWE Tag Team Championships were on the line to kick off Tuesday's special live episode of SmackDown, as The New Day was determined to prove itself the top team in the company despite not winning a single Slammy on Monday night.

It defended against The Lucha Dragons, who have been on a role as of late.

The heels dominated the early portion of the match, isolating Kalisto through the commercial break.

The challengers mounted a comeback, though, using their furious speed to nearly unseat the champions. A last-minute distraction from Xavier Woods and his prized trombone slowed Sin Cara just enough to allow Big E to catch the soaring luchador in midair and deliver the Big Ending to successfully retain the titles.

Result

The New Day defeated The Lucha Dragons

Grade

B-

Analysis

This was a strong way to kick off Tuesday's SmackDown.

The New Day and The Lucha Dragons have some strong in-ring chemistry, so it was no surprise they brought the goods in the opener. The outcome was a bit of a surprise, as it looked like WWE may be poised to switch the straps, but The New Day is still hot, and taking the gold away from it now would be ill-advised.

The finish allowed Kalisto and Sin Cara to maintain their heat while giving the champions a relatively clean win.

The Dudley Boyz, Ryback and Kane vs. The Wyatt Family

The never-ending rivalry between The Wyatt Family and The Dudley Boyz continued into Tuesday night, as they found themselves on opposing teams of an 8-Man Tag Team match.

Kane and Braun Strowman lumbered around the squared circle, cutting a pace that would make Neville and Dolph Ziggler jealous.

Or not.

Late in the match, D-Von Dudley dove over the top rope and into the waiting arms of Strowman.

Back inside, Bray Wyatt delivered Sister Abigail to score the win for his team.

Result

The Wyatt Family defeated The Dudley Boyz, Kane and Ryback

Grade

C

Analysis

There was nothing inherently wrong with this match, but both teams feel way too much like guys meandering around, waiting patiently for WWE Creative to come up with something interesting for them to do.

In the meantime, they will continue to work the same brawling battle fans have been exposed to for weeks now.

At least those involved know how to do it well.

The Usos vs. Alberto Del Rio and Rusev

The attack perpetrated on The Usos by The League of Nations during Monday's Raw was the foundation of Tuesday's match.

Jimmy and Jey were chasing retribution, while Alberto Del Rio was preparing to defend his United States Championship against John Cena on this coming Monday's Raw broadcast.

The heels dominated the majority of the bout, with Jimmy and Jey mustering just enough to battle back late in the match. Del Rio's attempt to execute his corner double stomp failed, but interference from King Barrett allowed him to execute the move a second time, this time crashing into the midsection of his opponent and picking up the important victory.

Result

Rusev and Del Rio defeated The Usos

Grade

C

Analysis

The League of Nations continues to roll heading into the end of 2015. The win over The Usos was the right booking choice.

Del Rio needed to continue building momentum for himself heading into his clash with Cena on Raw, while Rusev could use any win to help repair his incredibly damaged reputation.

The Usos are essentially bulletproof at this point. Their popularity has not wavered, as they are firmly implanted in the upper midcard thanks to their relationship to Roman Reigns and his position as WWE world heavyweight champion. A loss does nothing to diminish their stature.

Neville and Titus O'Neil vs. The Ascension

Santino Marella returned to SmackDown and accompanied Titus O'Neil and Neville to the ring for tag team action against The Ascension, seconded by Stardust.

With the fate of Christmas at stake, Santino played a key role in the outcome of the match. He teased using The Cobra, which allowed Neville to wipe out all three heels.

From there, the 2015 Breakout Star of the Year delivered the Red Arrow to Viktor to pick up the win for the babyfaces and ensure the holiday season continues on.

Or something like that.

Result

Neville and O'Neil defeated The Ascension

Grade

D

Analysis

This was WWE's poor excuse at an entertaining holiday match. None of the Superstars involved had anything to do with each other, and it was really just another exhibition for Santino to deliver some of the D-level comedic relief he is known for.

Neville was the star of the show and picked up the win, and rightfully so.

Charlotte vs. Brie Bella

Charlotte battled Brie Bella in Divas action Tuesday.

Midway through the meandering match, Team B.A.D. made its way to the ring, dressed in holiday garb, and confronted Becky Lynch at the announce table. Naomi tossed a cup of eggnog on the Lass Kicker, igniting a beatdown at ringside that left Charlotte to choose whether she would assist her best friend or worry about winning her match.

She chose the latter, leaving Lynch to fend for herself.

Commentators Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler questioned how Charlotte could do such a thing when the Divas Championship was not even on the line.

Result

Charlotte defeated Brie Bella

Grade

C-

Analysis

The only real redeeming quality of this match was the extracurricular activities, which continued the rivalry between Charlotte, Lynch and Team B.A.D., and it also continued to plant the seeds for the impending breakup of Charlotte and Lynch, which should fuel the Divas division into the New Year.

Intercontinental Title Match: Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kevin Owens

Three incredibly talented Superstars battled in the main event of SmackDown, all for the right to call themselves the intercontinental champion.

The action was fast and furious, with each scoring nearfalls.

Late in the match, a nasty suplex from Owens to Ambrose left The Lunatic Fringe wobbly, his head smacking the mat hard.

It was Ziggler who thrived late, blasting Owens with a superkick that put him out of commission.

Unable to follow up, though, he fell victim to the Dirty Deeds, which allowed Ambrose to successfully retain his IC title.

Result

Ambrose defeated Owens and Ziggler to retain the IC title

Grade

A

Analysis

Viewers of USA Network got their first taste of what SmackDown can provide with a fantastic main event pitting three of the best workers in wrestling.

The drama associated with the match kept fans on their feet and led to a spectacular finish.

While the feud between Ambrose and Owens may be the main feud, the changing character of Ziggler has risen to the forefront and threatened to steal the show. A more determined Showoff is far more fun to watch than one going through the motions, which has been the case for quite some time.

The main event felt like a high-profile bout, one that deserved to headline the show, and the Superstars backed up the faith of WWE Creative to put them there.