Smackdown Review – 11.14.25

Let’s catch up with our friends, shall we: Raw | NXT | Impact

Smackdown is LIVE on the USA Network and Netflix from the MVP Arena in Albany, NY. The announcers for tonight’s show are Michael Cole and Corey Graves on match calls and analysis, Mark Nash on ring introductions, and Cathy Kelley on backstage interviews and breaking news.

Then, Now, Forever…TOGETHER

We open with highlights from last week‘s Women’s Tag Team Championship match and the subsequent title switch. Here are Rhea Ripley and IYO Sky to make their entrance as Cole and Graves put over the friendship they share. Ripley talks about how the Kabuki Warriors feel untouchable now that they’ve won the titles, and the addition of Nia Jax and Lash Legend to their team makes them feel invincible. Sky says there’s nowhere to hide now because of WAR GAMES. Ripley introduces Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss and Bliss seems kind of grumpy but she still makes the heart hand gesture with Flair. Bliss hugs Sky and Ripley but Flair only hugs Sky. Bliss says it’s fully on for War Games and Flair seems…unenthusiastic. Flair says she can’t pretend anymore, and addresses Ripley directly. Flair says she doesn’t like or trust Ripley because she thinks she’s a snake. Flair says Ripley probably feels the same about her and there’s just too much bad blood between them. Flair says Bliss is her friend, and she’s got her back any other time, but not for this. Bliss yells after Flair as she makes her exit.

Cole and Graves are baffled at this development at the desk but they manage to run down the card tonight. Here’s some folks arriving at work: WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill and B-Fab arrive separately ahead of their match tonight. Los Angeles Knight ambles down a hallway ahead of his Last Time Is Now tournament match.

Jey Uso makes his entrance to a monster pop as we go to commercials.

The Last Time Is Now Tournament: The Miz vs Jey Uso

Miz gains the early advantage but Uso fires up with rights. Miz cuts that off with a knee lift but he misses a charge as Uso grabs a backslide for two. Uso hits a roundhouse kick but Miz comes back with a quick rollup for two. Uso clotheslines Miz to the floor and then smashes him with a tope suicida. We go to commercials.

Uso ascends but Miz grabs him and hits a Codebreaker and a huge spike DDT. Miz’s cover gets two. Miz hits a series of Yes kicks but Uso fires up with a lofted neckbreaker that gets two. Uso misses a charge and Miz goes into the Five Moves Of Doom to a big pop from the Albany crowd. Miz hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Uso fights out of his AA attempt. Miz promptly snaps off a Skull Crushing Finale and is utterly shocked when Uso kicks out at two. Miz mounts Uso on the second rope and wants another SCF, but Uso hoists him on his shoulders and drops Miz on the top turnbuckle. Uso ascends and hits the Uso Splash before covering Miz for three.

Short, and to the point. It had some heat from the crowd, and Miz’s Cena tribute got over as well. Two pros going at it, and while I can’t say you need to go out of your way to see it, it was decent for what it was. 2.5*

Winner – Jey Uso (Uso Splash)

Here’s Smackdown GM Nick Aldis chatting with WWE Men’s US Champion Ilja Dragunov. DIY and Candice LeRae march up to confront Aldis over Dragunov’s refusal to wrestle Tommaso Ciampa while calling him a “jackass”. Dragunov says he’s giving the challenge tonight to someone who fights with honor and it turns out to be Axiom. Aldis leaves and runs into Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed. Heyman says he needs a word with Aldis as we go to commercials.

John Cena has done a sitdown interview with Tom Rinaldi and some highlights are shown as he talks about his early career.

Nick Aldis calls for Security as he chats with Heyman and Reed. Heyman makes sure of the contract language in the War Games contract and Aldis thanks him for coming to Albany to confirm something that is in black and white. WWE Men’s Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes joins the scene to confront Reed who says he’s up for a fight tonight. Heyman pokes Rhodes into making it a title match, and Aldis reluctantly agrees.

WWE Men’s US Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov (C) vs Axiom

No entrances for either, which was a little weird, but here we go. They trade wristlocks to start and Dragunov dumps Axiom to the mat. Dragunov misses a charge and we reset. Axiom works a side headlock but Dragunov escapes and hits a running forearm. Dragunov pops Axiom with a right and tries to drop the H-Bomb, but Axiom slips it and tries for an armbar. Axiom misses a kick but then snaps off a dropkick that hits. Dragunov eats another kick that sends him to the floor, but he manages to prevent Axiom from flying off the top turnbuckle. They slug it out and Dragunov pops Axiom with a headbutt that sends him sprawling. Dragunov hits a senton and covers for two as we go to commercials.

Dragunov snaps off a German as the show returns. Axiom fires up with a Northern Lights suplex and both guys are down. Axiom whales Dragunov with a right and a short kick. Axiom hits a missile dropkick and covers Dragunov for two. Axiom starts kicking Dragunov, who fires up with some forearms and a kick to Axiom’s head. Axiom pulls Dragunov into a triangle choke, but Dragunov uses his strength to pick up Axiom and drop him on his back. Dragunov wants the H-Bomb but Axiom slips it. Axiom flies up to the top rope and snaps off a flying springboard implant DDT as Cole goes insane on commentary. (Seriously, this move ruled.) Dragunov kicks out at two somehow. Axiom and Dragunov ascend and Axiom fires off a top rope Spanish Fly and then wants the Golden Ratio. Dragunov fires up with Torpedo Moscow before dropping the H-Bomb. Dragunov covers and gets three.

The crowd was into it in a big way by the end, and that helped a bunch. These two have some wildly good chemistry. I can’t say there was a ton of selling in this, but Dragunov bumped around a bunch for Axiom’s offense. Another very entertaining Open Challenge, but I’m guessing Ciampa is still going to be lurking around so maybe he’ll get the shot on the go-home for Survivor Series in a couple of weeks. 3.5*

Winner and STILL WWE Men’s US Champion – Ilja Dragunov (H-Bomb)

Here’s R-Truth chatting with Nick Aldis, who’s clearly a very busy man tonight. Truth says he’s shined his balls up for the Tournament hopper, and he hands his balls to Aldis before leaving. Here’s WWE Women’s US Champion Chelsea Green with Alba Fyre to question Aldis about not getting pyro when she won the title last week. Aldis has apparently cancelled her championship celebration, so he graciously agrees to one for next week that will include pyro.

Sami Zayn is making his way to the ring as we go to commercials.

Elimination Chamber will be February 28th, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago. I wonder if Charles Montgomery Punk will be on that show somehow.

After the previous Men’s US Open Challenge, Tommaso Ciampa attacked Axiom in the aisle and really put a whooping on him before being chased off by Nathan Frazier.

Sami Zayn makes his entrance to a big pop as Graves speculates that Zayn is afraid of the MFT’s. Highlights are shown of Talla Tonga defeating Rey Fenix last week, followed by Zayn saving Fenix from further mayhem. Zayn says he made a promise to take the US Championship from Solo Sikoa and he really enjoyed being the champion including getting to wrestle John Cena during his last-ever Smackdown match. Zayn is sick and tired of the MFT’s running wild every week on Smackdown and he’s been patient while not being medically cleared. Zayn has apparently gotten clearance, however, and he calls out Sikoa.

Here’s Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s making their way down to the ring while Sikoa starts insulting Zayn. Sikoa says Zayn doesn’t care about anyone but himself but Sikoa cares about his family and their loyalty to him. Sikoa says Zayn doesn’t know anything about loyalty to family and threatens to kick Zayn’s ass. Sikoa snaps his fingers and the MFT’s jump to the apron. Sikoa says he’s going to wait but he’s coming for Zayn. Zayn confirms he’s cleared and says if Sikoa wants to fight, they can go right now. Zayn mentions he’s not alone, and here are Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Fenix and the Motor City Machine Guns to jump the MFT’s. Talla Tonga drags Sikoa out of the ring before Zayn can hit the Helluva Kick. The faces dump the heels to the floor and Fenix hits a torneo on the MFT’s on the floor. Everyone stares angrily at each other.

Here’s Cody Rhodes chatting with Jey Uso, who promises to have Cody’s back tonight. Here’s Big Jim Uso to mention he’s also got Cody’s back tonight, and mentions that he’s joined Punk’s War Games team. We go to commercials.

Solo Sikoa is barking at Nick Aldis who decides that the MFT’s will take on Zayn, Nakamura, Fenix and the Guns in a traditional Survivor Series 5 on 5 elimination match in two weeks.

The Last Time Is Now Tournament: LA Knight vs Zack Ryder

Ryder does his full WOO WOO WOO entrance and he gets a pretty big pop as Cole says this is probably the second biggest moment in Ryder’s career only following the time he beat Cole in a match. Graves mentions Ryder being on the indies and doing death matches in a scenario that I’d bet would have driven Vince to an aneurysm. Ryder grabs a quick roll up for two. Knight works the arm but Ryder breaks out and wants the Ruff Ryder. Knight slips it but Ryder dumps him to the floor as we go to commercials.

Knight hits a big back body drop as the show returns. Knight starts firing off rights and then waffles Ryder with a Side Russian Leg Sweep. Knight hits a neckbreaker and covers Ryder for two. Ryder fires up with some chops and a front facebuster. Ryder hits a forearm and the WOO WOO WOO kick before covering Knight for two. Knight fires up and drops Ryder with an inverted DDT. Knight ascends but misses his jump attempt. Ryder snaps off a Ruff Ryder and is astounded when Knight kicks out at two. Ryder rolls up Knight for two and then smashes Knight with a double knee. Knight hits a powerbomb on Ryder and then snaps off the BFT. Knight’s cover gets three.

Hey Zack Ryder showed up. I bet he and Chelsea had a fun night driving to work together for once. No idea if they’ve signed him or whatever, but he looked fine here for an opponent for Knight. Ryder is more polished now but he looked like he had some nerves which wouldn’t be unexpected. The crowd remembered him which I’m sure was cool for him, and he bumped around and Knight got the win as expected. We can all move on. 2.5*

Winner – LA Knight (BFT)

Alexa Bliss, IYO Sky and Rhea Ripley are talking over Charlotte Flair walking out on them, and Ripley mentions now needing two more people.(Paging Bayley and Lyra Valkyria to the War Games Courtesy Phone.) The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors, Nia Jax and Lash Legend swarm them from out of nowhere and pretty much kick the crap out of them. Security and referees fly out to break it up.

WWE Women’s Undisputed Champion Jade Cargill makes her entrance as we go to commercials.

WWE Women’s Undisputed Champion Jade Cargill vs B-Fab

This is non-title. B-Fab hits a couple dropkicks and some back elbows. Cargill whales B-Fab with a right to break it up before hitting a fall-away slam. Cargill chokeslams B-Fab and then hits a jacknife powerbomb. Cargill stalks around and then hits a second powerbomb. The crowd wants one more but Cargill decides on Jaded and that gets three.

Squash is a nice side dish for Thanksgiving. 1*

Winner – Jade Cargill (Jaded)

Post-match sees Michin come out to check on B-Fab, and then she gets into it with Cargill who shoves her down. They bark each other as Cargill retreats up the aisle.

Nick Aldis announces the final first round matchups for the Last Time Is Now tournament and they will be Carmelo Hayes facing Bronson Reed, and Penta facing Finn Balor. Poor R-Truth, his balls did not get selected. Graves and Cole run down next week’s Smackdown card and talk about the tournament some more.

Cathy Kelley is backstage with Carmelo Hayes who tells the Miz that their battle is not over. Hayes says he respects John Cena and if he wins the tournament, he won’t miss. Here’s Bronson Reed to threaten Hayes by saying after he’s done ending Cody Rhodes tonight he’s going to end Hayes in the tournament match. We go to commercials.

Here’s Aleister Black with Zelina to chat about Damien Priest. Zelina says they promised to corrupt Priest and they’ve done that. Black mentions Cody Rhodes and says he’s now “everyone’s enemy”.

WWE Men’s Undisputed Championship: Cody Rhodes (C) vs Bronson Reed

You know, you’d think that they would have advertised this ahead of time but what do I know. Maybe there’s some science suggesting it doesn’t make that much of a difference. Of course, I’m not expecting anything resembling a finish here so maybe it was for the best.

Rhodes fires off some right hands but Reed trucks him in response before dropping an elbow. Reed’s cover gets two. They go to the floor and Reed trucks Rhodes again. We go to commercials.

Rhodes hits a Disaster Kick when the show returns. Rhodes goes to Flip, Flop, and Fly but Reed stops the elbow and drops Rhodes with a Death Valley Driver. Reed’s cover gets two. Reed ascends but Rhodes slips away from the Tsunami. Rhodes fires up with an avalanche Cody Cutter and Reed kicks out at two. Reed goes to the floor and then blasts Rhodes with a right when he charges. Reed charges and Rhodes slips it and sends Reed into the timekeeper’s area. Rhodes clears the announce desk and here’s Bron Breakker and Logan Paul to attack Rhodes. The ref calls for the bell.

Just a match to set up the post-match angle, there was never going to be a finish here. It was shaping up to be decent and I wouldn’t mind seeing Cody take on Reed in different circumstances. 2.5*

Winner – Cody Rhodes (DQ when Breakker and Paul interfered)

Post-match sees the Usos charge down and even things up numbers-wise. They superkick Breakker to the floor and then hit the 1D on Paul. Jimmy pulls out a SLIM JIM table and Jey sets it up mid-ring. They mount Paul on it and both ascend. Here’s Drew McIntyre who is apparently NOT doing his movie to push Jimmy off the top turnbuckle. Jey hits McIntyre with a superkick but a recovered Breakker spears Jey through the table. Rhodes gets hit with a Claymore as Nick Aldis beefs with Paul Heyman about this. Reed hits Rhodes with a Tsunami as Heyman hands McIntyre a contract and shakes his hands. The credits roll and we’re out as the heels stand tall.

A much better effort than last week but the string of crap finishes continues in the main events given this is the second week in a row with a DQ to set up War Games. It’s lazy as hell but I get it in certain respects. I’m sure there will be some people who will be very pleased about the announcement of the traditional Survivor Series match for the go-home show in two weeks. I was intrigued at the actual character continuity of Charlotte saying there’s too much bad blood between her and Ripley for Flair to feel comfortable teaming with her. It sets up a bunch of possibilities. Thumbs leaning up for tonight’s show.

Thanks for reading and commenting. Go read some other recaps and enjoy your weekend.