The November 21st episode of Friday Night SmackDown came to you live from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. We saw the last two first-round matches in ‘The Last Time is Now’ tournament. Plus, there was a US title open challenge match that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. All night long, you could feel the heat between the two sides getting ready for the Men’s WarGames match, with some big face-offs and even an attack backstage.
The Vision, along with Logan Paul, kicked off the show. Jimmy and Jey Uso showed up to stir the pot for the WarGames match at the WWE Survivor Series PLE. Then, Cody Rhodes’ music started playing, but he didn’t come out. Instead, Drew McIntyre showed up, storming out of Rhodes’ bus and attacking him. The Usos ran backstage as their rivals watched from the ring.
WWE SmackDown Results (November 21, 2025):
- Ilja Dragunov def. JD McDonagh to retain the United States Championship
- Carmelo Hayes defeat Bronson Reed
- DIY defeat Fraxiom
- Penta beat Finn Balor
Ilja Dragunov vs JD McDonagh
On this week’s episode of SmackDown, Judgement Day member JD McDonagh responded to Ilja Dragunov’s open challenge for the United States Championship. Both superstars participated in a hard-hitting, equally matched encounter that spilt all over the ringside and had some dangerous moments. Dragunov was able to defend his championship once more thanks to a powerful H-Bomb.
Bronson Reed vs. Carmelo Hayes
The match was the first round of the Last Time is Now tournament. It was a exciting back and forth fight, but Bronson Reed was assisted by Bron Breakker, Logan Paul and Paul Heyman during the match. The Usos came to Melo’s rescue to neutralize the threat and in the process, Reed was counted out, thus losing the match. Cody Rhodes also came out after being attacked by Drew McIntyre to clear the field and deliver a fiery promo before WarGames, the match invented by his father, Dusty Rhodes.
DIY vs Fraxiom
Nathan Frazer and Tommaso Ciampa started the contest, and tags were exchanged early on until Fraxiom threw DIY outside and hit dives to the floor. Back inside, Frazer was tagged in and landed some huge moves on Johnny Gargano, knocking Ciampa off the apron with a kick.
Ciampa returned and placed the Shatter Machine on Frazer for a near-fall before tags were created. Candice LeRae took Axiom’s mask off after he caught Gargano with the Spanish Fly. Axiom was preoccupied covering his face as Gargano pinned him for the victory.
Finn Balor vs. Penta
The Balor versus Penta match started with a bang when Penta jumped Finn before the bell even rang! Balor managed to gain control at first, but Penta fired back with some serious head kicks. He almost pinned Balor, then landed a brutal backbreaker and some kind of crazy muscle buster move.
Balor tried to turn things around with a takedown and his Coup de Grace finisher, but he missed! Penta capitalized big time, countered, and then nailed the Mexican Destroyer for the win!
WWE SmackDown Final segment
.@WWEAsuka's team has found their fifth member in the form of @BeckyLynchWWE… 😳 pic.twitter.com/FSvZEg7VGl
— WWE (@WWE) November 22, 2025
The final segment of the show was the entrance of the four women’s WarGames team: IYO Sky, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, and their newly added member, Charlotte Flair. The team named AJ Lee as their fifth member. However, as she makes her way to the stage, the opposing side of the WarGames brutally beats the first team in the ring while Becky Lynch is taking down AJ outside. After the brawl, Lynch greeted Asuka with a handshake and firmly confirmed her partnership with her side for WarGames.
