WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from December 17

Every week on Bleacher Report, I take an in-depth look at WWE SmackDown to recap the action, offer analysis and grade the matches, segments and anything else that takes place on the show, as well as make a few predictions for future events.

The week after any pay-per-view is a difficult period. WWE has to tie up loose ends from the last event while also planting the seeds for the next PPV.

Roman Reigns' WWE World Heavyweight Championship victory on Raw was a bit of a shocker, but it creates the opportunity for Reigns to prove he can carry the torch.

It will be interesting to see how The Authority reacts to Reigns' big win and his actions against Triple H and Vince McMahon.

For now, let's take a look at everything that happened on this week's SmackDown.

Opening Segment

Roman Reigns started the show with his newly won WWE World Heavyweight Championship proudly draped over his shoulder.

He talked about winning the title and attacking Triple H and Vince McMahon. He encouraged people not to attack their bosses like he did, but he showed no remorse for his actions.

Sheamus came out and claimed he was happy for Reigns because he knows how hard it has been for him during his quest for the title, but he also said he would regain the championship sooner rather than later.

He informed the new champion he was banned from the building by The Authority. Several security guards came out to remove Reigns, but he ended up taking out all eight men by himself.

The segment was successful in making Reigns look like a force to be reckoned with, but it was predictable from start to finish.

Grade: C+

Notes and Highlights

• It's always tough to tell if crowd reactions on SmackDown are genuine, but it seemed like most people were cheering for Reigns instead of the mixed response he typically gets.
• It's hard to watch Sheamus talk while he has those little things dangling from his beard.
• Sheamus has gotten better in the past few weeks. Playing an energetic and sarcastic jerk suits him well.
• One of the fake security guards took a nasty spill over the top rope and face-planted on the floor. Kudos to him for selling it like a champ.

Ryback vs. Alberto Del Rio

Ryback was given a chance to get a little revenge against The League of Nations when he battled Alberto Del Rio in singles action.

Surprisingly, Ryback used a fair amount of technical maneuvers in the first few minutes, but Del Rio was able to take control

This match was given two segments to play out, but this is one of those rare cases in which one would have been enough. Ryback and Del Rio are both talented in different ways, but they don't have enough chemistry to bring the best out in each other.

Sheamus, King Barrett and Rusev came out to provide a distraction that allowed Del Rio to apply the cross armbreaker for the submission win. There was nothing wrong with this bout, but it just didn't click for some reason.

Grade: C

Notes and Highlights

• Del Rio totally botched a Lou Thesz press Ryback was trying to hit. WWE attempted to edit around it, but it was obvious to anyone who knows Ryback's arsenal.
• It's great to see Ryback integrating more moves off the turnbuckle. It helps separate him from most of the other powerhouses on the roster.
• Are we supposed to read into the fact nobody came out to help Ryback during a four-on-one attack?

Tyler Breeze vs. Titus O'Neil

Tyler Breeze and Titus O'Neil met in a random singles match, but the real developing story is Goldust taking an interest in Breeze and Summer Rae.

Goldust came down and sat in the VIP area at ringside to watch the action. He had a lot of fun messing with Summer Rae, and it distracted Breeze enough to give O'Neil the opportunity to hit his finisher and get the win.

The match itself was nothing to write home about, but the start of a new storyline for Goldust is great to see. He is a valuable talent who can help a guy like Breeze legitimize himself on the main roster.

Grade: C

Notes and Highlights

• There was a backstage segment with Goldust, Breeze and Summer Rae that was kind of funny. A Goldust-Breeze feud could be good. Goldust was Hollywood before Breeze knew how to lock up.
• Is it a coincidence Goldust is starting a program with Breeze and O'Neil has been doing segments with Stardust?
• Goldust is the kind of Superstar who can go from serious to funny at the drop of a hat without becoming a total comedy character.

The New Day vs. Lucha Dragons

The New Day and Lucha Dragons kept their feud going with another tag team match. Both of these teams were involved in what was arguably the most entertaining bout at TLC, and to see them working again within a day or two was impressive.

Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston represented the champions, but Big E provided some of the best entertainment at ringside while he was talking to Booker T and blaming a random crew member for breaking the trombone.

Kalisto and Sin Cara have come into their own as a team. They were good in NXT, but they have been doing some of their best work lately. If they can get some more mic time, they will be all set.

Big E interfered by pulling Sin Cara off the apron while the ref wasn't looking, but he recovered and took out Woods and Big E while Kalisto pinned Kingston for the win.

This was a good bout between two teams at the top of their game. If The Usos remain in the hunt for the titles, we will get some more stellar matches from the tag team division.

Grade: B+

Notes and Highlights

• The New Day must really like the pink, white and blue color combination. It's all they ever wear.
• If there is anyone else in WWE having as much fun as The New Day is right now, they don't seem to show it. They are proof you can be fun and creative in a PG environment.
• It's amazing Kalisto can even walk after what he did at TLC. Even if the ladder he crushed was tricked out, he still fell from a great height.
• The list of nicknames for the New Day Big E gave to Booker T was hilarious.

Brie Bella vs. Becky Lynch

Brie Bella took control of the match early on, but Charlotte's appearance at ringside distracted her and gave Becky Lynch a chance to recover.

Charlotte tripped Brie behind the ref's back to give Lynch the opportunity to apply the DisArmHer for the win. Lynch was unhappy Charlotte cheated for her, and it added another layer to the story between the former PCB teammates.

It was an average match, but it provided some good storyline development.

Grade: C+

Notes and Highlights

• Team BAD sitting ringside with Brie and Becky's shirts on was entertaining. They are slowly turning into the female version of The New Day, and that is not a bad thing.
• Where was Alicia Fox?
• It was surprising to see Paige left out of this segment entirely.

Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler and Kevin Owens always work well together, and it's nice to see one of their matches in the main event slot.

Both men appeared to have a bit more aggression than usual. Owens is always aggressive, but he turned it up a notch to show his anger at losing the Intercontinental Championship to Dean Ambrose at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs.

They picked up the pace toward the end of the match and had some great exchanges, but Owens got himself disqualified when he refused to stop attacking an injured Ziggler.

Ambrose made the save just before Owens was about to powerbomb Ziggler into the steel steps, but Owens still ended up hitting a superkick to Ziggler as he retreated up the ramp. Ziggler got to his feet and kicked Ambrose right in the face, so it looks like he will be joining the IC title feud going forward.

Grade: B+

Notes and Highlights

• Ziggler's use of the Zig Zag to send Owens into the barricade was a creative way to employ that move.
• Ziggler has been embracing the Shawn Michaels comparisons a lot lately.
• The interviews with Owens and Ziggler earlier in the show made this match feel more important.

Final Thoughts and Predictions

This was a decent episode of SmackDown as a whole. Most of the matches were enjoyable for one reason or another, and we got a good idea of some of the feuds that will occupy January's Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

The New Day and Lucha Dragons put on another fun performance, but Owens and Ziggler outdid them by a hair in the main event.

It seems as if the Divas division is slowing down a little, but we are getting coherent storylines instead of a series of pointless matches, so the trade-off works.

2015 has been a mixed bag for WWE. We have seen countless five-star matches over the past 12 months, but it never felt like the company took any big chances.

The roster is filled with incredibly talented wrestlers in every division, so hopefully 2016 sees WWE use these men and women to make the company great again.

Predictions

• Ambrose will attack Ziggler on Raw to set in motion an IC title feud.
• The Usos and Lucha Dragons will have a match to determine the No. 1 contenders to the Tag Team Championships.
• Swagger will go back into obscurity now Del Rio has defeated him.
• Becky Lynch will challenge Charlotte for the Divas title at the Royal Rumble.
• Triple H and Reigns will have a match at or before WrestleMania.

What did you think of this week's SmackDown?

Thanks for reading, and follow me on Twitter @BR_Doctor.