Reviews

The John Report: WWE SmackDown 11/07/25 Review

By John Canton • Published Nov 07, 2025 21:50 EST
WWE Smackdown November 7

This is WWE SmackDown featuring Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill, Charlotte Flair facing Nia Jax, Giulia taking on Chelsea Green, and more.

It’s a post-Saturday Night’s Main Event edition of WWE SmackDown. At SNME last Saturday on the SD side of things, Cody Rhodes beat Drew McIntyre to retain the WWE Title. Cody hit Drew with a DDT on the title before finishing him off (the referee never saw it) to pick up the controversial win. Also, Jade Cargill won her first WWE Women’s Championship by beating Tiffany Stratton in a dominant manner.

From the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, this is SmackDown for episode #1368. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

There was a video package about the Cody Rhodes-Drew McIntyre match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Let’s Hear from Cody Rhodes

The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance wearing dress clothes without the suit jacket this time. The fans cheered loudly for him and did “Cody” chants for the champ.

Cody asked the Greenville crowd what do you wanna talk about? Cody said we can talk about Saturday Night’s Main Event and Drew McIntyre. Cody said that Drew introduced this title into the match. The crowd chanted, “Cody, Cody Rhodes” for the champion. Cody said Drew clearly does not understand Cody’s reluctance to pull the trigger in the past cost him dearly. Cody said that Drew is one of the most impressive and strongest and walks into the room and everybody turns their head. Cody called Drew the most self-sabotaging pro wrestler in the history of the business. Cody claimed he was moving on. Cody said that Drew is in the rearview mirror. Cody said he wants to do something different. Cody told the fans he wants to sit with them and watch Friday Night SmackDown, so that all of them can decide who is next in line for the WWE Championship.

Analysis: Cody Rhodes said he is moving on from Drew McIntyre, but it doesn’t necessarily mean Drew has moved on. Just saying.

Aleister Black arrived with his wife ,Zelina Vega, who is just Zelina now without the Vega part. Black mentioned that he has a chip on his shoulder. Cody was still in the ring. Black said he has a chip on his shoulder, and it’s about the same size as the Undisputed WWE World Title. Cody took his tie off. Zelina told Cody it was too bad his nightmare begins now. Zelina slapped Cody in the face.

SmackDown GM Nick Aldis interrupted the promo. Aldis asked Greenville if they are thinking what he is thinking. Aldis said that if Black is looking for a fight, then he can fight Cody Rhodes in the main event tonight.

Analysis: That’s about as simple as it gets in terms of setting up a match for later in the show. Black confronted Cody, Zelina did a slap, and Aldis booked a match just because of that.

There were superstar arrivals shown of Charlotte Flair with Alexa Bliss, and they also showed Jade Cargill.

It was Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary. Mark Nash was the ring announcer.

Ilja Dragunov was shown walking backstage for his open challenge. Tama Tonga stared at him in the backstage area. Dragunov made his entrance.

A WrestleMania 42 commercial aired.

(Commercial)

Ilja Dragunov did a promo saying for the legacy of the US Championship open challenge, who shall step up? Dragunov said that pain shall entertain you.

Tommaso Ciampa answered the challenge since he got involved with Ilja last week. Ciampa was with Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. Ciampa complained about Ilja calling him a jackass. Ciampa bragged about being a 2-time NXT Champion and 2-time WWE Tag Team Champion, and said nobody calls him a jackass. Ciampa claimed he was surrounded by jackasses here in Greenville. Ciampa called for the bell to ring. Ilja said he accepts the challenge for his US Title from him, referring to Johnny Gargano. Ciampa complained about Ilja ducking him and told Johnny to take the title.

Analysis: Poor Ciampa accepting the challenge and not getting the match. Gargano is a great worker like Ciampa is.

United States Championship: Ilja Dragunov vs. Johnny Gargano (w/Candice LeRae)

Johnny attacked Ilja with punches and sent him into the turnbuckle. His wife Candice stayed at ringside while Ciampa went to the back. Ilja hit two German Suplexes. Ilja elbowed Gargano in the head a few times. Ilja hooked the arms and hit a suplex. The show went on a break for some fans as the action continued on Netflix. Ilja went to the turnbuckle, LeRae distracted and Johnny kicked Ilja to the floor. Back in the ring, Johnny hit a slingshot Spear. Johnny hit a basement dropkick to the back of the neck. Johnny elbowed Ilja and then sent Ilja into the top rope. Johnny hit some shoulder tackles and applied an abdominal stretch.

They exchanged strikes until Ilja hit a step up enziguri kick to the head. Cole mentioned the US Tile was defended for the 19th time in 2025. Most of those are TV matches, and very few are on PLE shows. Ilja hit a pump kick and a spin around the ropes, leading to the lariat, which is called the Constanine Special. Ilja hit a running kick to the face. Ilja jumped off the turnbuckle with a knee drop for two. Johnny was by the ropes, Ilja jumped off the top and Gargano kicked him in the ribs. Johnny hit a superkick to the back of the head and Poison Rana spiking Ilja on his head for a two count. Ilja chopped and headbutted Johnny to knock him down. Ilja jumped off the top with a senton splash on Johnny for two. Ilja went to strike, but Johnny kicked him and Ilja came back with a spinebuster to spike Johnny into the mat. Ilja went for a spin off the ropes, but Candice blocked that. The referee never saw it. Johnny hit a suicide dive into a DDT on the floor for a two. Back in the ring, Johnny hit his One Final Beat jumping DDT for a two count. Great nearfall there. They battled by the turnbuckle, where Ilja hit an impressive superplex-style move. It was not done in a normal way, but it was very impressive. Ilja hit the H-Bomb forearm smash for the pinfall win. It went about 12 minutes. Ilja is 3-0 in title defenses.

Winner by pinfall: Ilja Dragunov

Analysis: ***3/4 A great match like Ilja’s previous matches. Putting the US Title on Ilja is a great idea, especially when you give him more than 10 minutes for these title defenses. The matches are always going to be great when you do that. It was an awesome match between two of the best wrestlers in NXT history. It’s been a long time since Gargano has been featured in a singles match like that, so I was glad to see him in a match like this. It wasn’t as good as the Dragunov match with Nathan Frazer because that one was longer, but it was still fun to watch.

Sami Zayn spoke to SmackDown GM Nick Aldis in his office. Zayn said he knows he’s not cleared, but he wants to have Rey Fenix’s back for his match to deal with the MFTs. Aldis said that Zayn is not medically cleared. Aldis told Zayn he needs to focus on getting healthy, and he’s not asking. Zayn said alright, but he’s not going to stand by and watch for much longer.

R-Truth walked in wearing some John Cena merchandise. Truth said he wants to be in the Last Time Is Now tournament. Aldis said he’s using a tumbler with names in it. Truth had two balls with him with his name on them, and Aldis said that Truth’s name was already in there. Truth said something about not wanting his balls touching Nick’s balls, and well…it was awkward. Truth left.

A video aired about Jade Cargill winning the WWE Women’s Title at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Jade is up next.

(Commercial)

Tommaso Ciampa was backstage when Johnny Gargano walked up to him to say he was sorry. Candice LeRae was there. Fraxiom’s Nathan Frazer and Axiom were there to mock Ciampa for not getting his challenge accepted for the second week in a row. They referred to Ciampa as a jackass and left. Ciampa looked on with an angry look on his face.

Jade Cargill’s Championship Celebration

The new WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill made her entrance with the title around her waist.

Jade said you saw what happened to Tiffany, and that goes for every woman in the locker room. Jade: “Make no mistake about it. I’m that bitch!” Jade left.

Analysis: That was quick. Not much to analyze there. I thought Jade might say a bit more as the new champion, but she kept it simple by warning the locker room.

As Jade was on her way to the back, the Women’s Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss arrived for Flair’s match. Jade held up her title and trash-talked them. Flair got a pyro entrance. Flair wanted to confront Jade in the aisle, but Bliss held onto Flair’s arm and told her to focus on the match.

Analysis: There’s a tease for Jade Cargill to face Charlotte Flair at some point in the future. It seems possible, for sure. I hope Bianca Belair is back soon.

(Commercial)

Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre were backstage talking about Green about to get the Women’s US Title back. Michin and B-Fab interrupted to trash talk Green. Jade Cargill walked up to them as Green said that she was about to be the greatest champion on SmackDown. Jade threatened to stomp a whole through her chest, so Green left. B-Fab and Michin tried to go in the locker room, so Jade told them to move. B-Fab didn’t like how Jade was acting, so Jade challenged her to a match for next week and B-Fab accepted.

Charlotte Flair (w/Alexa Bliss) vs. Nia Jax

Jax lost to Bliss last week, so now Flair gets to face Jax. Flair took down Jax with a Thesz Press, followed by some punches. Jax came back with a headbutt. Flair connected with some kicks, along with a headscissors and a kip up. Flair stumbled a bit, but she kept her balance. Jax sent Flair face first into the turnbuckle. Flair tried a handstand against the ropes to get to the apron, but Jax hit a running splash to block that. They went to a break with Jax in control and I’ll take a break too.

The match continued with Flair starting her comeback with a kick, along with a cross body block off the top. Flair chopped Jax several times leading to “Woo” chants and chop block by Flair. Flair hit a cartwheel clothesline. The screen went black a few times because I think Flair had a wardrobe issue. Flair went up top and hit a top rope moonsault onto Jax for two. Jax headbutted Flair to block a Figure Four attempt. Jax caught Flair and hit a sitout Powerbomb for a two count. Jax took a long time to go to the middle turnbuckle and jumped off with an Annihilator attempt, but Flair avoided it. Flair kicked Jax and Flair hit a knee drop onto the chest for two. Flair kicked off the ropes and hit a Tornado DDT for two. Lash Legend showed up at ringside and punched Bliss. Lash choked out Bliss. Jax splashed Flair against the turnbuckle. Jax went to the middle turnbuckle and hit the Annihilator splash on Flair for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Nia Jax

Analysis: *** The match was good between two veterans who have wrestled plenty of times in the past. Flair was impressive on offense after making her comeback. I mentioned in recent weeks, when Jax had issues with Flair and Bliss, that it would make sense for Jax to get an ally to fight them, so here is Lash Legend to join Jax as an ally. This result obviously sets up Flair and Bliss against Jax and Legend in a future tag team match.

Nia Jax celebrated the win with Lash Legend. They hugged.

Analysis: I’m happy for Lash being on the main roster after being in NXT for about four years. She deserves to be on the main roster because of how far she has come as a WWE superstar. I think Lash’s boyfriend, Trick Williams, should be on the main roster very soon, too.

The John Cena video aired, talking about the Last Time Is Now 16-man tournament that begins next Monday on Raw. The winner faces Cena in his final match on December 13th at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

SmackDown GM Nick Aldis drew the matchups for the next two matches.

* The Miz vs. Jey Uso

* LA Knight vs. somebody who will be a surprise. Aldis saw the name and said it would be a surprise.

Analysis: I don’t know who the mystery person will be. You can guess, and I can guess too. My immediate thought is that’s where Gunther will return, but it could also be somebody else, like Matt Cardona, or maybe Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler) would be a cool surprise. How about former NXT Champion Oba Femi? That could work too, but they may not want him to lose in a tournament like this. There are a lot of options obviously.

Giulia made her entrance with Kiana James for a Women’s US Title defense.

A commercial aired for Survivor Series: War Games on November 29th. You should probably try building matches for that show, WWE. Just saying.

(Commercial)

Nia Jax and Lash Legend were interviewed by Cathy Kelley backstage. Jax said she clearly would have beaten Charlotte without help. Jax said that she found a friend. Jax said she faced Lash in NXT and she knows she’s a badass, which is why she’s a friend. Jax bragged about Lash being an NCAA world record holder. Lash said she is everything she says she is. Lash said they are going straight to the top and tonight was just the beginning.

Analysis: Lash is a good talker. She had the talking skills early on in her NXT run and then she improved a lot in the ring in recent years.

Women’s United States Championship: Giulia (w/Kiana James) vs. Chelsea Green (w/Alba Fyre)

Chelsea Green was wrestling in Mexican colors since she’s an AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion with Ethan Page. Speaking of Page, the NXT North American Champion, he was at ringside to support Green. Green is the first Women’s US Champion.

Giulia hit a headbutt and a suplex. Green tried a rollup, but Giulia hit the arrivederci knee for a two count. Giulia tossed Green across the ring. Giulia sent Green to the apron and hit a forearm to the face. Giulia choked Green across the ropes. James got involved with a cheap shot on Green, so Fyre superkicked James on the floor. Giulia kicked Fyre. Green got a ROLLUP OF DEATH~! on Giulia and put her feet on the ropes. The referee never saw the cheating. This only went about four minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW Women’s US Champion: Chelsea Green

Analysis: ** That was about as cheap as it gets with Green winning by using the ropes without the referee seeing it. I like Giulia a lot, but Green might be my favorite woman in all of WWE and not just because she’s Canadian. Green is so entertaining.

Chelsea Green celebrated with her friends Ethan Page and Alba Fyre. Green is now a two-time Women’s US Champion.

Solo Sikoa was backstage talking to the MFTs. Solo talked about how Sami Zayn was still walking around, The Wyatt Sicks have something that belongs to this family, Ilja Dragunov has something that belongs to this family and they will take it back. Tama Tonga said they’ve got this. Solo told Talla Tonga to teach Rey Fenix not to disrespect his family ever again. Talla yelled without saying a word. As the MFTs left, The Wyatt Sicks’ Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan and Nikki Cross showed up. Rowan held them back and said not yet.

Rey Fenix made his entrance for singles action.

WWE SmackDown and Saturday Night’s Main Event are going to be in Montreal on January 23 and January 24. Those will be some of the best crowds of the year. Montreal fans are amazing.

(Commercial)

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were shown getting checked on by WWE trainers. A trainer handed Bliss some ice. The camera panned over to show it was actually Asuka, who spat mist in Alexa and Charlotte’s faces. Kairi Sane was there and she left with Asuka.

Analysis: I didn’t expect an Asuka appearance with the dreaded mist, but there you go. This shows that Flair and Bliss have a lot of potential challengers.

As Talla Tonga made his entrance, the Motor City Machine Guns and Shinsuke Nakamura fought with the MFTs to the back. Fenix hit two suicide dives onto Talla.

Rey Fenix vs. Talla Tonga (w/Solo Sikoa)

Fenix sent Talla into the ring post, but Talla tossed Rey into the ring after that. The bell rang to start the match. Rey kicked the knee, but Talla avoided a leaping attack off the top rope. Talla tossed Rey into the air and slammed him into the mat. Talla kicked Rey off the apron to send Rey crashing into the barricade. Talla sent Rey face-first into the top of the barricade. They went to a break for some fans there, as Talla remained in control for the next three minutes, so I’ll take a break too.

It was still Talla in control as Rey went for a springboard attack, but Talla hit him with a shoulder tackle. Rey tried some punches, so Talla hit a clothesline and Rey did a great flip bump to sell it. Rey kicked Talla, who swatted another kick and then Rey got back into it with a superkick. Rey hit a springboard spin kick to the face. Talla blocked Rey doing a move and hit him with an uppercut. Talla went for a kick on the apron, Rey avoided it and hit a kick to the face. Rey hit a jumping kick to the face. Rey ran across the top rope with the running kick to the head. Rey jumped off the top with a cross body block for two because Talla did a power kickout. Rey superkicked Talla. Rey jumped off the top, Talla caught him and Rey tried to counter with a hurricanrana, but Talla hit a Powerbomb. Talla hit a massive Chokeslam to spike Rey for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Talla Tonga

Analysis: ***1/4 I thought it was a good match because of how talented Fenix is and he makes all of his opponents look better. Talla getting the win was what I expected, although it went a bit longer than I thought. Fenix is a guy who needs to win a lot more matches, but currently, he’s not in a great spot.

After the match, Solo wanted Talla to do more, so Sami Zayn ran down to the ring with a steel chair. Solo and Talla left as the fans chanted “Sami” for Zayn.

Next week on SmackDown in Albany:

* Jade Cargill vs. B-Fab

* The Last Time Is Now Tournament: LA Knight vs. ???

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

The Miz was interviewed by Cathy Kelley backstage. The Miz said he attacked Carmelo Hayes last week because he made Melo relevant. Miz said he beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania, so it should make their final match inevitable. Miz claimed there shouldn’t even be a tournament, especially when Miz is going to be the final opponent. Miz said that highlights like Jey Uso fade while legacies like The Miz don’t fade. Miz said that the internet will whine and he said he’s going to end John Cena’s career because Miz is awesome.

Analysis: Whenever The Miz mentions he beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania, I feel obligated to point out that it was one of the worst main events in WrestleMania history. Just saying people aren’t remembering that match at WrestleMania 27 as a classic. With that said, I’m happy that Miz is in the tournament.

Aleister Black made his entrance with Zelina for the main event.

This Monday on Raw: John Cena’s final time in his hometown (close enough) of Boston, along with the first two matches of the Last Time Is Now Tournament: Rusev vs. Damian Priest and Sheamus vs. Shinsuke Nakamura.

(Commercial)

The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was up next. They had about 11 minutes until the top of the hour.

Cody Rhodes vs. Aleister Black (w/Zelina)

This was not for Cody’s WWE Title. They took turns hitting arm drags. Cody hit a delayed front suplex to send Black crashing into the mat. Cody went for a rising punch, but Black grabbed the arm and applied an armbar. Cody went for a springboard attack, but Black hit a knee smash to send Cody out of the ring. They went on a break as the match continued for us on Netflix. Black went after Cody on the floor and sent him into the commentary table. Black hit an elbow smash to knock Cody down. Black hit a knee drop. Black worked over Cody with uppercuts, along with some choking on the ropes. Zelina choked Cody across the rope as well. Black hit a snapmare for two and a leg drop for two.

Cody got some momentum going with a powerslam for two. Black hit a boot to the face for a two count. Black kicked Cody in the chest. Black hit a forearm, but Cody bounced off the ropes with a punch. Cody hit a powerslam. Cody jumped off the ropes with a Disaster Kick and Black did a flip bump to sell that. Black hit a knee to the head, followed by a sweep kick. Black kicked Cody in the head for a two count. Cody countered a lifting move and jumped off the ropes with a Cody Cutter for two. Cody worked over Black with jabs, Black came back with a kick, a knee to the chin and a German Suplex for two. Black went for Black Mass, but Cody stopped that with a kick to the back. Cody and Black kicked eachother at the same time. Here comes the interference because Drew McIntyre went into the ring and hit a Claymore Kick on referee Dan Engler. Cody tackled Drew and punched Drew. It went about 10 minutes.

Match Result: No Contest

Analysis: *** I mentioned earlier that I didn’t think the Cody-Drew story was done just because Cody won at SNME, and I was right about that. Since it was a cheap win at SNME, I figured Drew would get involved here and that’s what happened. Black did a good job in the match to show that he’s a main event caliber guy, while Cody had a tough time putting him away. It was an enjoyable match before Drew showed up to ruin it.

Black and Drew attacked Cody, so Damian Priest ran down to the ring for the save. Priest punched Black and hit a flatliner on Drew. Priest clotheslined Black out of the ring. Cody was back in and punched Drew. Priest went after Black with punches while they were on the floor. Zelina jumped on Priest, who dumped her over the barricade. Black gouged Priest’s damaged left eye, and Priest sold it. Black ran away with Zelina. Cody jumped off the ropes with a Cody Cutter on Drew, who rolled out of the ring after that.

Nick Aldis appeared to tell Drew McIntyre that he was suspended because of his attack on a referee. Drew went up to Nick, saying that they brought this on themselves. Drew said his back was against the wall. Aldis said he warned Drew about this. They continued to argue, and that was the end of the show.

Analysis: It makes sense that McIntyre would be suspended since he hit a Claymore Kick on a referee. It tells the audience that a wrestler attacking a referee won’t be tolerated, which makes sense logically. Enjoy a few weeks off, Drew. I hope he takes the WWE Title from Cody, but I’m not sure if that’s going to happen. Just saying, I would like to see it.

===

Three Stars of the Show

  1. Cody Rhodes
  2. Ilja Dragunov
  3. Chelsea Green

===

The Scoreboard

7.25 out of 10

Last week: 6.75

2025 Average: 7.34

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Final Thoughts on WWE SmackDown

A pretty good show overall. Better than last week. The US Title Open Challenge continues to be a highlight of the show every week. Ilja Dragunov is an awesome champion. I liked Cody Rhodes against Aleister Black in the main event with Drew McIntyre causing the non-finish by attacking a referee.

Chelsea Green winning the Women’s US Title surprised me and it was a short match too, but I’m happy with the result because Green is awesome.

I’m happy for Lash Legend getting the main roster call up to be an ally of Nia Jax. I like that pairing as a heel duo.

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Thanks for reading. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: [email protected]

Twitter/X: @johnreport