WWE
WWE SmackDown advertised two more matches in the first round of the Last Time is Now tournament. Carmelo Hayes faced Bronson Reed and Penta faced Finn Balor. Since Finn Balor was on Raw, his stablemate JD McDonagh came along and eventually answered Ilja Dragunov’s United States Open Challenge.
Last week’s SmackDown averaged 1.158 million viewers.
Who attacked Cody Rhodes?
Cody Rhodes was attacked by a mystery attacker to start SmackDown. The attack was similar to the anonymous attack on Jacob Fatu last month. Cody Rhodes was among the top suspects, but now that he has been targeted, it is much less likely that the WWE Champion is the suspect behind this assault.
Drew McIntyre was heavily implied as the mystery attacker, as he taunted a bloody Rhodes and the Usos as he drove away from the Ball Arena. McIntyre was banned from the building, but the attack took place outside Rhodes’ tour bus, so if he was indeed the attacker, he was technically within his rights.
McIntyre is most likely a red herring for these mystery attacks, as many are speculating that Randy Orton will emerge as the mystery attacker. Orton is rumored to be returning to WWE at the December 5 broadcast of SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown match card and results
- Ilya Dragunov def. JD McDonagh | WWE United States title
- Carmelo Hayes def. Bronson Reed | John Cena Last time is now tournament
- FOR. French
- Penta for sure. Finn Balor | John Cena Last time is now tournament
- AJ Lee and Becky Lynch Announced for WWE Survivor Series 2025 WarGames
WWE SmackDown ratings and viewership
- November 14, 2025 | 1,158 million
- November 7, 2025 | 1.141 million
- October 31, 2025 | 933,000
- October 24, 2025 | 1.147 million
- October 17, 2025 | 1.180 million
WWE SmackDown Ticket Sales
- WWE SmackDown Venue: Ball Arena (Denver, Colorado)
- WWE SmackDown tickets distributed: 11,904
- WWE SmackDown tickets available: 391
WWE SmackDown results and highlights on 11/21/25
Cody Rhodes attacked to open SmackDown
- The vision taunted the babyfaces of WarGames, but was interrupted by Jimmy and Jey Uso. Fans were happy to see the Usos, but they also sang for CM Punk and Roman Reigns.
- Cody Rhodes’ music hit, but the camera cut to Rhodes’ famous tour bus. Rhodes was laid out and bloodied and it was strongly suggested that McIntyre was the attacker.
Ilya Dragunov def. J.D. McDonagh
- Michael Cole noted that JD McDonagh was the last person to pick up a pin from John Cena on Raw. Between that, CM Punk and Cole singing McDonagh’s praises, WWE clearly wants McDonagh to be a thing.
- Ilya Dragunov shouted: “This is fun!” as he brutalized JD McDonagh to start the match. The two reached an amazing, yet terrifying spot when they performed a suplex to the outside of the ring.
- McDonagh worked over Dragunov’s neck. McDonagh answered a Torpedo Moscow with a flying knee, followed by a moonstrike for a nearfall. Fans chanted “this is amazing” as the match reached its climax.
- Ilja hit a powerbomb on McDonagh, followed by an H-bomb for the win. Corey Graves said it’s not a matter of if, but when JD becomes champion.
Ilya Dragunov vs. JD McDonagh Match Class: A-
Carmelo Hayes Final Bronson Reed
- Michael Cole paid tribute to legendary NWA announcer Bob Caudle. It is interesting to note that Caudle passed away on Sunday. WWE did not pay tribute to Caudle the following night’s Raw. AEW paid tribute to Caudle on Dynamite, and two days later, so did WWE.
- Carmelo Hayes started strong until Logan Paul got involved behind the referee’s back. Fans chanted “Logan sucks” as Reed took control of the match. Hayes fought back with one attack after another, stunning Reed. Hayes got excited and so did the crowd.
- Reed is a bigger man, but he’s actually smaller than Hayes. That made it shocking to hear Cole and Graves describe this match as if it were David versus Goliath. Fans stood behind Melo as he hit a frog splash. Reed countered a crossbody with a World’s Strongest Slam, followed by a Tsunami attempt. There was no one home.
- After a First 48 from Hayes, Melo dived out onto the entire Vision. Bron Breakker prepared to spear through the barricade, but he was thwarted by the Usos.
- A hobbled Cody Rhodes evened the odds and attacked the Vision. Rhodes’ attack on Bronson Reed led to a countout win for Melo. Rhodes called out all members of the WarGames team, including Paul Heyman. Rhodes told Heyman, “You build ’em, and I’ll beat ’em.” Rhodes said that WarGames is his birthright, and a Rhodes is historically always better than a Steiner.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Bronson Reed Match Grade: B+
DIS. French
- At the behest of Michael Cole, Corey Graves told the audience about who Fraxiom was. Fraxiom has been on the main roster for quite some time, it seems like this conversation should have happened a while ago.
- Candice LeRae got involved throughout the match. Axiom hit a beautiful Spanish fly. Unfortunately, Axiom was distracted again by Candice (who distracted Nate Frazer). LeRae ripped Axiom’s mask off and Johnny Gargano stole the win.
Fraxiom vs. DIY Match Grade: B-
Penta Def. Fin Balor
Penta and Finn Balor played a competitive match, seemingly running out of time as the clock got closer to 7:00 PM PST. Despite support from JD McDonagh, Penta and Balor went back and forth. Penta scored a victory with a Mexican Destroyer as babyfaces won 2-0 in the Last Time is Now tournament.
Penta vs. Finn Balor Match Class: B-
AJ Lee and Becky Lynch compete in Women’s WarGames
- There was a cinematic segment between Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair. It was very similar to Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes’ segment when they put their differences aside Last year in Atlanta before Bad Blood.
- Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss headed to the ring. Both were in bestie couples (Charlotte and Alexa; Rhea and Iyo.)
- Rhea persuaded Charlotte and Alexa. Fans were courted like crazy at the mere mention of Charlotte. Rhea said she knows she can trust them, and they can trust her. Rhea said they needed a fifth.
- AJ Lee’s music was blasting, but the former Divas Champion was nowhere to be found. The babyfaces were jumped from behind. AJ ran out to make the save, but Becky Lynch attacked AJ as the heels gained the upper hand. Lynch established himself as the fifth member of the heel team. The heels stood tall as SmackDown went off the air a minute past the hour.
SmackDown Main Event Segment Rank: B-
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