Tonight is the night the WWE Universe will choose John Cena’s final opponent for next weekend’s “Saturday Night Main Event.” The LA Knights and Gunther are competing in the finals of the “Last Time is Now Tournament” to determine who will face the legendary John Cena one last time on tonight’s “Friday Night SmackDown.”
Ilya Dragunov will put his United States Championship on the line against challenger Carmelo Hayes as part of the ongoing Open Challenge Series. Additionally, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will make an appearance, and Alexa Bliss will go head-to-head with Kairi Sane in a singles match.
Here are the results from Friday Night SmackDown on December 5, 2025:
– Ilya Dragunov defeated Carmelo Hayes, retaining the United States Championship by pinfall
– Alexa Bliss defeated Kairi Sane via pinfall
– Jade Cargill defeated Dawnfire by pinfall
– Gunther defeated LA Knight via submission, winning the “Last Time Is Now” tournament and becoming John Cena’s final opponent
Key moments from the show include Drew McIntyre’s arrival, which was blocked by Nick Aldis due to suspension, leading to an attack by Cody Rhodes that separated them. Backstage, LA Knight expressed confidence about defeating John Cena, calling himself an unstoppable force. Meanwhile, a feud for the Women’s Tag Team Championship continued with an attack on Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair by Rush Legends, Nia Jax, and the Kabuki Warriors. Oba Femi and Ricky Saints appeared backstage with Aldis and Rose, emphasizing the open chance to win the NXT Championship. Solo Chicoa and The MFT confronted new rivals Howdy and the Wyatt Chick, resulting in a violent showdown. Gunther, confident in his approach, promised to defeat LA Knight tonight and focus on John Cena next week.
Gunther is now set to face John Cena in his retirement match after dominating the tournament. Despite tough competition, Gunther always seemed like the favorite, especially after his retirement match with Goldberg earlier this year. As one of WWE’s strongest performers, Gunther and Cena are expected to deliver an incredible main event, marking an epic conclusion to Cena’s storied career.
Fan Take: This moment is huge for WWE fans as it not only honors John Cena’s legendary legacy but also shines a spotlight on Gunther as a future main event star. The clash promises to be a memorable send-off, potentially shifting the landscape of WWE’s top-tier talent moving forward.
