By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,368)
November 7, 2025, in Greenville, South Carolina, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Aired live on USA Network (Netflix internationally)
[Hour One] Smackdown opened with a recap of Cody Rhodes beating Drew McIntyre to retain the WWE Championship on Saturday Night’s Main Event… Michael Cole and Corey Graves were on commentary…
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance for an in-ring promo and was introduced by ring announcer Mark Nash. The fans sang Cody’s name in European style. “This is going to be a fun show, isn’t it?” Cody responded. Cody listed some of the positive traits of Drew McIntyre before calling him the most self-sabotaging pro wrestler in the history of the business.
Cody said he is moving on from McIntyre. Cody said he wanted to do something different. He said if it was okay with the fans, he wanted to come out and sit with them, watch the show, and then he and the fans could decide who is next in line for a shot at the WWE Championship.
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega made their entrance. Black said he’s been ready for something new ever since he set Damian Priest on fire. Once in the ring, Black said he had a chip on his shoulder that’s about the size of the WWE Championship. Cody removed his tie. Vega stood in front of Black and told Cody that his nightmare that his “nightmare begins now.” Vega slapped Cody across the face.
Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis came out and booked Cody vs. Black as the show’s main event…
Powell’s POV: The first sign of trouble with Cody and the AEW fans seemed to be when a lot of fans cheered for (Malakai) Black over Cody back in 2021. Black was new to the promotion, and the fans were really hot for him at the time. I don’t think Cody will encounter the same problem this time around because he’s almost universally cheered, while Black and Vega have been getting good heat since they joined forces. By the way, WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 7,129 with 6,865 tickets distributed, as of Friday morning.
Cole narrated arrival shots of Alexa Bliss and Charlotte, and WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill…
U.S. Champion Ilja Dragunov was shown walking backstage, Tama Tonga got in Dragunov’s face. Dragunov made his entrance for his latest open challenge heading into the first break… [C]
Dragunov stood in the ring and asked who his challenger would be. Tommaso Ciampa made his entrance with Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. Ciampa spoke over a mic and recalled wanting a title shot last week and Dragunov referring to him as a jackass. Ciampa called the Greenville fans jackasses and said the title would be his. Dragunov said he accepted the challenge… from Gargano. Ciampa said Dragunov was ducking him…
1. llja Dragunov vs. Johnny Gargano (w/Candice LeRae, Tommaso Ciampa) for the U.S. Championship. Gargano took advantage of a Ciampa distraction to start the match. Dragunov took control going into a picture-in-picture break. [C] Dragunov jumped from the top rope into a kick from Gargano, who followed up with a Poison Rana moments later for a near fall.
Dragunov fought back and performed a top rope senton for a near fall of his own. Dragunov set up for the H-Bomb, but Gargano stuffed it. Dragunov kicked Gargano and executed a uranage slam. Draguno did a 619-style swing through the ropes for no good reason and was pulled to the floor by LeRae while the referee was distracted.
Gargano hit a tornado DDT and then hit One Final Beat for a near fall. Gargano set up for a springboard move that Dragunov stuffed. Dragunov executed a deadlift superplex before hitting the H-Bomb for the win…
llja Dragunov defeated Johnny Gargano in 10:50 to retain the U.S. Championship.
Powell’s POV: A good match aside from that strange rope swing interference spot. It just looked odd because the referee was kneeling between Dragunov and Gargano while checking on Gargano.
Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis was in his office talking with a referee when Sami Zayn entered the room. Zayn said he wasn’t cleared, but he asked if he could be at ringside for Rey Fenix’s match. Aldis said Zayn would be a huge liability to him because he’s not medically cleared. Zayn said he wouldn’t stand by and watch for much longer.
R-Truth entered the room after Zayn left. Truth pointed to the tumbler in the corner of the room and said he wanted in on The Last Time Is Now tournament. “I came here to put my balls in your hand,” Truth told Aldis while handing him two entrant balls for the tumbler. Aldis told Truth his name was already in the tumbler. Truth said he didn’t want his balls touching Aldis’s balls and then left the room…
Cole and Graves spoke at ringside and set up a video package that recapped Jade Cargill beating Tiffany Stratton to win the WWE Women’s Championship on Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cole said Jade would appear after the break… ]C]
Tommaso Ciampa was pouting backstage when Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae arrived. Gargano started to speak to Ciampa, but he was interrupted by Nathan Frazer and Axiom, who mocked Ciampa before walking away…
WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill made her entrance. Jade said that what happened to Tiffany Stratton goes for everyone in the locker room. “Make no mistake about it, I’m that bitch,” Jade said before dropping the mic and heading to the stage.
Charlotte Flair’s entrance theme played, and she came out with Alexa Bliss. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions stopped next to Jade, who held her title up and jawed at them. Charlotte appeared to say that she’s a champion too, and then she and Bliss headed to the ring while Jade continued to jaw at them from the stage. Charlotte turned around and started to walk toward Jade, but Bliss grabbed her arm and got her to head to the ring for her match… [C]
Powell’s POV: Truth spoke about his balls, and now Jade is using the word bitch. It’s not the Attitude Era, but things seem a bit edgier than usual, which works for me. Charlotte is a great opponent for Jade. The company can position it as a dream match, and Flair should be able to get the most out of Jade.
Chelsea Green was backstage while boasting to Alba Fyre about being the longest reigning champion. Michin and B-Fab showed up and said Giulia just passed her. Green, who had her AAA Mixed Tag Team Title belt over her shoulder, said she would be the first and fourth women’s U.S. Champion. Green spoke about how she would be the greatest champion.
Jade Cargill showed and behind Green and then intimidated her until Green and Fyre ran off. Jade told B-Fab to get out of her way. B-Fab complained to Michin. Jade said she does what she wants. Jade and B-Fab agreed to have a match on next week’s show…
Nia Jax made her entrance…
2. Charlotte Flair (w/Alexa Bliss) vs. Nia Jax. Flair performed an early Thesz press and threw punches at Jax, who came back with a headbutt. Flair performed a head-scissors takedown. Jax took offensive control before a commercial break. [C]
Flair performed a cartwheel into a clothesline. The screen went black, and Flair was adjusting her top once the picture was restored. Flair hit a moonsault for a near fall. Jax came back with a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall of her own.
[Hour Two] Jax powered up Flair and placed her on the apron. Jax went to the ropes. Flair tripped up Jax, who was hanging from the ropes, when Flair dropped a knee on her and covered her for a two count. Jax set up for a Samoan Drop, but Flair countered into a DDT for a near fall.
Lash Legend showed up in the timekeeper’s area and attacked Bliss. Legend rag-dolled Bliss, which distracted Flair. Jax took advantage of the distraction and ended up hitting the Annihilator for the win.
Nia Jax defeated Charlotte Flair in roughly 10:00.
After the match, Legend applauded Jax before they hugged at ringside. Graves said Legend might be just as strong or even stronger than Jax. Graves said the two of them together were a big problem…
Powell’s POV: I like the Jax and Legend pairing, as they should be good challengers for the women’s tag team titles. I noticed Flair adjusting her top a couple of times before the apparent wardrobe malfunction. I didn’t notice any horny guys in the crowd flipping out, so for Flair’s sake, hopefully it was more of a precautionary move to cut the feed for a second or two.
Cole set up the John Cena-narrated video package on The Last Time Is Now tournament. Footage aired of Aldis announcing The Miz vs. Jey Uso, and LA Knight vs. a mystery person. Aldis drew the name of Knight’s opponent, looked at it, and said he was going to keep it a surprise…
Giulia and Kiana James made their entrance… [C]
Powell’s POV: I like the mystery man approach. The announcement of the first two matches for Monday’s Raw felt uneventful because they feature WWE regulars. The mystery person approach seems to suggest they will lean into Cena’s tease that the entrants could be from NXT or not even work for WWE.
Cathy Kelley interviewed Nia Jax and Lash Legend in the backstage area. Jax recalled Flair and Bliss telling her to find a friend. Jax said she had a friend in Legend. Jax said she faced Legend in NXT and knows she’s a badass. Jax asked if Flair and Bliss can say they have a friend who is a former NCAA record holder. Legend referred to herself as the Bougie Bully, and said that she and Jax were going straight to the top…
Chelsea Green made her entrance with Alba Fyre. Green stopped and had a word with her AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship partner Ethan Page, who was in the front row…
3. Giulia (w/Kiana James) vs. Chelsea Green (w/Alba Fyre) for the Women’s U.S. Championship. Green wore Mexican flag-themed gear. Green slapped Giulia, who then dominated the early offense. James took a cheap shot at Green while the referee was distracted. Fyre superkicked James. Giulia kicked Fyre through the ropes. Green rolled up Giulia and pinned her.
Chelsea Green defeated Giulia in 1:35 to win the Women’s U.S. Championship.
After the match, Graves said it was one of the greatest moments in sports (hilarious). Green hopped the barricade and joined Page, who put her on his shoulder. The duo held up their title belts…
Powell’s POV: That was a pleasant surprise. I like Giulia, but she’s off to a slow start on the main roster, and she and James lack chemistry. While there may be more to the story of Giulia dropping the title, hopefully, the idea is to give her a reboot. Furthermore, here’s hoping that the talented Page is main roster bound.
Solo Sikoa addressed his face-paint-wearing “MFTs” Tama Tonga, Tonga Loga, Talla Tonga, and JC Mateo. Solo told them they did a good job last week, but it wasn’t good enough. Solo said Sami Zayn is still walking around, the Wyatt Sicks have something that belongs to them, and so does Ilja Dragunov. Solo told Talla Tonga to make a statement. After the MFTs exited, Erick Rowan, Nikki Cross, and WWE Tag Team Champions Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy entered the picture. Rowan told the others, “Not yet,” to stop them from going after the MFTs…
Dragon Lee made his entrance… [C]
Alexa Bliss was getting treatment on her neck in a medical room while Charlotte Flair was at her side. The trainer said he’d get her some ice. Asuka and Kairi Sane entered the room dressed in scrubs and masks. Asuka lowered her mask and sprayed mist at Bliss and Flair. Cole referred to Asuka and Sane as “The Kabuki Doctors”…
Powell’s POV: Between this attack and the one by Jax and Legend, Flair and Bliss look vulnerable heading into their title defense against Asuka and Sane on Monday’s Raw.
Talla Tonga made his entrance with Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and JC Mateo. Shinsuke Nakamura, Alex Shelley, and Chris Sabin attacked some of the MFTs from behind and fought them to the back, leaving only Solo with Talla. Fenix hit Talla with a couple of suicide dives. He went for a third, but Talla stuffed it. Fenix shoved Talla into the ring post. Talla tossed Fenix into the ring.
4. Talla Tonga (w/Solo Sikoa) vs. Rey Fenix. Fenix threw some kicks to start the match. Talla avoided a springboard move. Fenix threw kicks to Talla’s hamstring. Talla took offensive control and booted Fenix off the apron and into the barricade. Talla worked over Fenix on the floor while Solo sat back in his chair. [C]
Talla turned Fenix inside out with a clothesline. Fenix came back with more kicks. Fenix went for a sunset flip that Talla stuffed. Talla dropped Fenix with an uppercut. Fenix avoided a big boot that left Talla hung up in the ropes. Fenix ran across the top rope and booted Talla’s head. Fenix hit a top rope crossbody block for a two count. Fenix went for a top rope move, but Talla caught him. Fenix went for a huracanrana that Talla stuffed before powerbombing him. Talla chokeslammed and pinned Fenix.
Talla Tonga beat Rey Fenix in 8:40.
After the match, Solo entered the ring and wanted Talla to do more damage to Fenix. Sami Zayn ran out with a chair. Solo and Talla calmly exited the ring. Zayn barked at them and checked on Fenix. Solo pointed at Zayn…
Powell’s POV: Fenix may have set a new record for the most kicks thrown in an eight-minute TV match. Anyway, this was a solid big man vs. little man match with Fenix looking good despite taking a decisive loss.
The broadcast team listed the following matches for next week’s Smackdown in Albany: WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill vs. B-Fab in a non-title match, and LA Knight vs. a mystery opponent and Jey Uso vs. The Miz in The Last Time Is Now tournament matches…
Cathy Kelley interviewed The Miz in the backstage area and asked him about attacking Carmelo Hayes to get payback. Miz said he made Hayes relevant. Miz boasted that he beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania. Miz took offense to there being a tournament, saying Cena’s final opponent was staring him in the face. Miz said everything Jey Uso does is a highlight, but highlights fade, and legacies don’t. Miz said he would beat Uso and win the tournament. He said the critics will cry and the internet will whine, but the headline will read that he beat Cena at WrestleMania and then ended his career…
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega made their entrance for the main event… An ad for Monday’s Raw in Boston hyped John Cena’s appearance, and Rusev vs. Damian Priest and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sheamus in the first two The Last Time Is Now tournament matches… [C] Cody Rhodes made his entrance…
5. WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. Aleister Black (w/Zelina Vega) in a non-title match. Cody went for a Cody Cutter, but Black caught him with a kick before an early PIP break. [C] Black threw kicks and went for covers. The broadcast team explained that he was wearing Cody down while trying to set him up for a Black Mass.
Cody battled back and set up for a Bionic Elbow, but Black caught him with a kick and then performed a German Suplex into a bridge for a two count. Black showed frustration over not getting the pin. Both men threw simultaneous kicks that left them both down.
Drew McIntyre entered the ring dressed in white and hit the referee with a Claymore Kick, which ended the match.
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes fought Aleister Black to an apparent no-contest in a non-title match.
Cody tackled McIntyre and threw punches at him until Black hit Cody. Black and McIntyre put the boots to Cody. Damian Priest ran to the ring and went after Black and McIntyre. Black eventually gouged Priest’s eye at ringside, which the broadcast team said was still wounded due to the fireball that Black threw at Priest. In the ring, Cody hit McIntyre with a Cody Cutter. McIntyre rolled to the floor.
Nick Aldis came out and said he’d had it with McIntyre. Aldis said he gives McIntyre an inch and he takes a mile. Aldis announced that McIntyre was suspended effective immediately. McIntyre went to the stage and bickered with Aldis while the executive producer credits were shown. McIntyre told Aldis that Cody and Priest brought it on themselves and that his back was against the wall. They continued to bicker as the show concluded…
Powell’s POV: The finish was not satisfying, but I don’t think anyone should be surprised that the unadvertised match between Cody and Black didn’t have a clean finish. In fact, I’m happy that they didn’t have Cody pin Black, and this didn’t feel like a spot for Cody to take a non-title loss, especially if they are going back to Cody vs. McIntyre one more time.
Overall, this was an enjoyable episode with a surprising title change, solid in-ring action, and some interesting storyline developments. I will have more to say about Smackdown during my weekly same-night audio review, which will be available exclusively for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
” I didn’t notice any horny guys in the crowd flipping out, so for Flair’s sake, hopefully it was more of a precautionary move to cut the feed for a second or two.”
there are definitely pics on reddit…