Just days after Survivor Series, WWE SmackDown returned on December 5th at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, marking a quiet build-up to the Royal Rumble season. The show focused on the fallout from Survivor Series, setting the stage for War Games 2025 by highlighting champions, ongoing rivalries, and key moments like the decisive Last Time Is Now tournament final between LA Knight and Gunther, which would determine John Cena’s final opponent. There were several standout moments this week that garnered fan appreciation.
The show opened with Cody Rhodes launching an attack on Drew McIntyre, followed by an intense promo from Rose that added depth to the Rhodes-McIntyre rivalry. Even though McIntyre remains suspended, he attempted to work but was turned away by SmackDown GM Nick Aldis. In a dramatic moment, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes appeared in McIntyre’s car, then was escorted out by security. Rose’s fiery promo targeted McIntyre on a personal level, referencing the tour bus where McIntyre’s family spends time, injecting much-needed passion into their WWE Championship feud after previous matches failed to fully engage fans.
The United States Championship Open Challenge delivered yet another memorable encounter as Ilya Dragunov defended his title against Carmelo Hayes. The match was filled with high-energy moves and fierce competition but ended with Dragunov retaining due to interference by Tommaso Ciampa, which disappointed Dragunov himself. Despite the interference, Hayes gained significant popularity for his performance, making their rivalry one of the highlights of the night.
Solo Sikoa also made waves with a standout promo following a strong match against Gunther on RAW. He delivered a powerful message, criticizing Uncle Howdy and asserting he would take everything from Wyatt’s name and legacy. This promo elevated the intensity of the feud and helped push Sikoa’s momentum forward. Meanwhile, a heated brawl broke out between MFT and Wyatt Thicke, adding layers to the ongoing storylines.
The climax of the evening was the tournament final where Gunther defeated LA Knight. Both are top-tier talents, and their match was full of suspense, counter-moves, and near falls that captivated the crowd. Gunther’s victory not only crowned him the tournament winner but also set him as John Cena’s last opponent, a role fans expect him to excel in given his track record of bringing out the best in every opponent.
Gunther has been a consistent favorite throughout this tournament, known for delivering outstanding matches and maintaining high reliability. His win guarantees that Cena’s farewell will feature a stellar matchup, a fitting tribute to one of WWE’s greatest.
Fan Take: This SmackDown edition was crucial in building momentum toward the Royal Rumble and setting up compelling narratives, especially with the compelling Rhodes-McIntyre and Dragunov-Hayes rivalries. Gunther’s win positions him as a worthy challenger for Cena’s final chapter, promising memorable moments for WWE fans and strengthening the sport’s storytelling quality.
