WWE: Cody Rhodes Appearance & WWE Tag Titles Match Set for 12/6 SmackDown Show, Original Plans for Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods’ Heel Turn on Big E, Hikuleo Update

Cody Rhodes Appearance & WWE Tag Titles Match Announced for Friday’s WWE SmackDown Show

WWE announced one new match and one new segment for tonight’s WWE SmackDown show at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In regards to the new match, this was announced to be a WWE Tag Team Championship match of Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) (c).

In regards to the new segment, this was announced to be Cody Rhodes to make an appearance and open the show.

🚨 🚨 🚨 @RealNickAldis has some HUGE news regarding tonight's #SmackDown including @CodyRhodes KICKING OFF the show!

📺 8/7c on @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/cjQEoET6QB

— WWE (@WWE) December 6, 2024

Current card for December 6th WWE SmackDown show:

• WWE Tag Team Championship match – Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) (c)
• WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament First Round Triple Threat match – Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Elektra Lopez
• Cody Rhodes to appear

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Original Plans for Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods’ Heel Turn on Big E

As noted before, this past Monday’s WWE RAW show in Everett, Washington was notable for Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods turning heel on Big E and kicking him out of their New Day group during the New Day 10 Year Anniversary celebration segment.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that Kingston and Woods’ heel turn on Big E was something that had been planned for months by WWE officials.

Meltzer reported that those spoken to stated that the original plans were for Odyssey Jones to be brought into New Day and tease issues of them not getting along until it was time for Kingston and Woods’ heel turn moment. Meltzer reported that Kingston and Woods were originally planned to turn heel by choosing Jones over Big E and have Jones publicly replace Big E in the group.

Those plans reportedly were put on hold following Jones being fired from the company over alleged domestic violence allegations and resumed afterwards with just Kingston and Woods turning on Big E.

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Hikuleo WWE Status Update

As noted before, former New Japan Pro Wrestling talent Hikuleo signed an official contract with WWE this past July.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that the reason why Hikuleo has yet to make his official debut in WWE’s NXT brand is not due to any injury-related reason.

Those spoken to reportedly stated that Hikuelo has been just training at their Performance Center.

Meltzer reported that it is currently not known when Hikuleo will be making his official debut appearance in NXT.