This week, WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown took place at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on November 21st, featuring the last first-round matches of the “Last Time is Now” tournament to decide John Cena’s final opponent. Highlights included Bronson Reed vs. Carmelo Hayes and Finn Balor vs. Penta, alongside another exciting US Title Open Challenge as the road to Survivor Series 2025 heated up.
A standout moment was Ilya Dragunov’s continued dominance in his United States Championship defenses. J.D. McDonough from “The Judgment Day” answered this week’s challenge, delivering a hard-hitting, wrestling-heavy match that showcased their well-established chemistry from NXT, with Dragunov retaining his title in top form.
The show opened with The Vision clashing against The Usos, but the night took a dramatic turn when Drew McIntyre viciously attacked Cody Rhodes backstage. Rhodes later struck back by ambushing Bronson Reed during his match with Carmelo Hayes, helping Hayes secure a win. Post-match, Rose delivered a fiery promo, fiercely declaring WarGames as his birthright and intensifying the rivalry ahead of Survivor Series, looking stronger than ever.
Another memorable segment was Sami Zayn’s brief but energetic promo rallying his team for the traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series elimination match. Supported by the Motor City Machine Guns, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Rey Fenix—branded as the “International Coalition”—Zayn’s nostalgic team speech evoked classic Survivor Series vibes, adding excitement for the upcoming event.
The final round of the “Last Time Is Now” tournament continued with Penta overcoming Finn Balor in a solid match, while Carmelo Hayes’ countout victory over Bronson Reed, aided by Cody Rhodes’ interference, was highly entertaining. This tournament remains a unique and compelling narrative leading to John Cena’s farewell match in December.
In a tag team bout, DIY and Fraxiom brought energy and skill to their seven-minute match, which ended controversially when Candice LeRae unmasked Axiom, enabling DIY to steal the win. The return of Johnny Gargano’s “Rebel Heart” theme song added nostalgic charm to the contest.
WWE also officially revealed the full roster for the upcoming Women’s War Games match at Survivor Series. AJ Lee joined the babyface team, while Becky Lynch aligned with the heels after attacking Lee. The night closed with a heated brawl between the teams, capped by a reconciliation match between Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley that settled their differences and built anticipation for the War Games showdown.
Fan Take: This week’s SmackDown delivered a mix of thrilling matches, intense storylines, and nostalgic moments that keep fans invested as Survivor Series and John Cena’s final bout approach. The continued tournament drama and War Games team announcements not only elevate the stakes but also spotlight WWE’s ability to blend past legacies with fresh rivalries, promising an electrifying finish to the year.
