Reviews

The John Report: WWE SmackDown 11/14/25 Review

By John Canton • Published Nov 14, 2025 21:22 EST
WWE SmackDown November 14 Review

This is WWE SmackDown featuring the Last Time Is Now Tournament with Jey Uso facing The Miz, LA Knight against a mystery opponent, and more.

Last week’s WWE SmackDown ended with Drew McIntyre hitting a Claymore Kick on a referee during the Cody Rhodes-Aleister Black main event match. That led to SD GM Nick Aldis indefinitely suspending Drew for his heinous actions.

It was reported earlier today that, starting on January 2nd, 2026, SmackDown will return to being a 3-hour show, as it was for the first half of this year. If I looked back at my ratings of SD in the first half compared to the second half, I’m pretty sure I rated the first half higher. With that said, I think a 3-hour show is too long, and I don’t love having to write about a show that is that long. The positive aspect is that matches can get more time, and more wrestlers can be featured, which is good for tag team divisions and midcard titles getting more attention. I think three hours is too long, and I have a long writing shift on Friday, followed by early mornings on Saturdays that feature all-day writing for me, so I don’t really love the idea of staying up later to write about wrestling. I like reviewing Raw most Mondays for 2.5 hours with no commercials. I think SmackDown at 2.5 hours, even with commercials, would be fine.

I don’t think SmackDown is currently a terrible show, as some negative fans claim, but it’s a bit stale and certainly not as interesting as Raw. It’s definitely not as good as SmackDown in 2022 and into early 2024 with the Bloodline story carrying things. A “Draft” or trades or calling up NXT wrestlers is definitely needed to freshen things up on the blue brand. I think SmackDown needs to get away from Fridays because it sucks being on Friday nights. I’d rather SmackDown be on Thursdays, but I understand that they are avoiding the NFL, which is on Thursdays for four months from September through December. Logistically, it’s probably better for WWE to have PLEs on Friday rather than Thursday, since then they have PLEs on Saturday and Raw on Monday isn’t too far away. Anyway, 3-hour SmackDown is coming back soon, and we’ll get used to it once again.

From the MVP Arena in Albany, New York, this is SmackDown for episode #1369. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

A video aired showing WWE Raw highlights when the Kabuki Warriors duo of Asuka & Kairi Sane beat Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles, thanks to Nia Jax and Lash Legend interfering in the match. Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley saved Flair and Bliss against the four heels, so the foursome of Flair, Bliss, Ripley and Sky stood tall to end Raw. That led to Ripley challenging the heels to a WarGames match at Survivor Series.

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

Let’s Hear from Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky from Raw made their entrance to start the show. Cole pushed the story that Raw stars will be on SmackDown more in the coming weeks on the road to Survivor Series on November 29.

Ripley, who has a face mask, said that since she’s been out with a broken nose, the Kabuki Warriors have been causing chaos and think they are untouchable. Ripley said that Nia Jax and Lashley joining the Kabuki Warriors makes them think they are untouchable because they have the number advantage again. Ripley said that when you have the numbers, then you have more enemies. Sky said that the numbers catch up to you, and then she shouted about WarGames, which drew cheers. Ripley introduced two of her WarGames teammates.

Charlotte Flair made a stylish entrance with some pyro going off, followed by her buddy Alexa Bliss. They were cheered a lot, just like Ripley and Sky.

Bliss said if the Kabukis want to play dirty, then that’s fine. Bliss said that Jax and Legend getting involved means they are so on. Bliss said that when Ripley said WarGames, Bliss knew they were in.

Flair told Bliss she can’t do this. Flair said she can’t pretend anymore. Flair told Ripley she doesn’t like her. Flair said she doesn’t trust Ripley, and she thinks she’s a snake. Flair said that Ripley doesn’t like or trust Flair and probably thinks that Flair is a snake. Flair said that there’s too much history and too much bad blood. Flair said just because they have the same memory, it doesn’t change that. Flair said she can’t look past it. Flair said Bliss is her friend and she trusts her, and if Bliss wants to do this, then count her out. Flair left the ring, which led to boos from the fans.

Analysis: There is a long history between Flair and Ripley as rivals, so what Flair said made sense from a story perspective. Just because two people are faces doesn’t mean they have to be friends or allies in a WarGames match. With that said, I expect a story to develop where Flair comes to the aid of Bliss, Ripley, and Sky, which will lead to Flair agreeing to be on their WarGames. It’s just a case of delaying the inevitable, so to speak.

There was some superstar walking shown of Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and they showed LA Knight too.

Jey Uso made his entrance with the fans Yeeting along with him on the way to the ring. Jey is normally a Raw guy, but he’s in action on SD this week. The fans were into Jey’s entrance as usual.

They aired a WrestleMania 41 commercial with Cody Rhodes talking about his history and how he’s built for this moment and every one after it.

(Commercial)

Jey Uso wanted to run it back with his music playing, but The Miz made his entrance to interrupt.

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

I looked it up and found out that The Miz hasn’t won a singles match on television this year. Granted, Miz wrestled in a team with Carmelo Hayes for part of the year, but still, it’s a reminder that Miz rarely wins these days.

Miz hit Jey with a knee to the ribs. The announcers tried putting over Miz early in the match based on his career accomplishments. Jey caught a charging Miz and Jey hit a kick to the side of the head. Jey went for a superkick, Miz avoided it and Jey clotheslined Miz out of the ring. Jey hit a suicide dive on Miz on the floor, so Miz went over the commentary table. They went on a break as the action continued here on Netflix. Jey was in control of Miz with punches. Miz kicked Jey in the ribs to stop an attack. Miz hit a running boot to Jey’s face for two. Miz hit a running splash on Jey against the ropes. Miz kicked again to knock Jey down. Miz hit his backbreaker into a neckbreaker combo for two.

The match continued with Miz in control with double knees to the face and a DDT for two. Miz worked over Jey with kicks to the chest. Jey countered a Miz kick and hit a lifting belly-to-back suplex for two. Jey charged with a hip attack, but Miz avoided it and Miz hit some Cena-like offense with two shoulder tackles and a belly-to-back slam. Miz did the “You Can’t See Me” hand gesture and the Five Knuckle Shuffle fist drop. Miz tried a lift, but Jey got out of that and hit a superkick. Jey went for a lift, Miz slipped out of it and Miz hit a Skull Crushing Finale for a two count. That is Miz’s finisher, so Jey kicked out of that. Miz went for an SCF off the turnbuckle, Jey got out of it and sent Miz into the top turnbuckle. Jey ran the ropes and hit a Spear. Jey hit an Uso Splash off the top rope for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jey Uso

Analysis: ***1/4 A good match between two veterans that was full of action. Jey is pushed more than Miz these days (obviously), so it’s not a surprise to see Jey getting the win. The Miz got plenty of offense in the match, but fell short even after hitting a Skull Crushing Finale. It only took Jey three moves to finish off Miz easily. That’s the result I expected, even though I’d like to see Miz win some matches in the future.

Ilja Dragunov, the US Champion, was talking to GM Nick Aldis. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano arrived with Candice LeRae. Ciampa complained about Dragunov not giving him a shot at the US Title during an open challenge. Ilja said he’s not going to give opportunities to jackasses, so that means he wants to defend against warriors with honor, and there’s nothing honorable against him. Ilja said he’ll face off against somebody with honor who he respects. It was Axiom of the Fraxiom team and he shook hands with Ilja. Ciampa left angrily.

Analysis: Poor Ciampa getting the US Title disrespect again. Axiom is awesome, so it should be a tremendous match.

Aldis walked down the hallway where he saw Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed standing outside of Nick’s office. Heyman said he needed to talk to Aldis, so the scene ended there.

(Commercial)

A clip aired of John Cena talking about the early days of his wrestling career when he spoke about how it was fun for him being a wrestler. The full John Cena interview will air in full on YouTube in the week before his final match next month.

Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed spoke to Nick Aldis, who called security to his office. Heyman said he had a contract stating that in the weeks leading up to WarGames, it allows anybody to be on any brand. The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes walked in and Paul Heyman wondered why he got involved in The Vision’s business on Raw. Cody said that Heyman’s group came after his friends, so Cody said he was helping. Cody Rhodes walked in to tell Bronson Reed that if he’s not here to fight, then you should leave. Reed said he’ll fight. Cody told Nick to book a match against Reed. Heyman wondered why Cody would want to do it and not make it a title match. Cody told Nick to book it. Nick booked it for the WWE Title later in the show.

Analysis: That’s a huge match for later in the show with Cody putting the WWE Title on the line in a short segment like that.

United States Championship: Ilja Dragunov vs. Axiom

The US Title is on the line for the 12th straight week. Ilja hit some big shots early on with a kick and a hard strike to the neck. Axiom used his speed to avoid a move, and he dropkicked Ilja into the ropes. Axiom hit a jumping kick to knock Ilja out of the ring. Axiom chopped Ilja a few times while on the apron, so Ilja came back with a headbutt. Ilja went up top and hit a Senton Bomb for a two count. They went on a break for some fans while the action continued. Ilja chopped Axiom a few times, followed by a suplex for two. Ilja hit a running knee, along with a running kick that sent Axiom out of the ring. They were back in the ring, where Ilja hit a headbutt and an elevated suplex for a two count. Ilja hit Axiom with elbow smashes and hit a snap German Suplex.

Axiom was able to break free and hit a release Northern Lights Suplex. Axiom slapped Ilja hard in the face, followed by boots to the face and Axiom hit a missile dropkick on Ilja for a two count. Ilja hit forearms to the face and kick to the face. Ilja tried for more, but Axiom countered it into an armbar. Ilja got out of it and hit a Powerbomb. Ilja went for a forearm, but Axiom got out of it and Axiom jumped off the top rope, leading to a DDT for a two count! That was amazing and it looked perfect. The announcers loved it while the fans chanted, “This is awesome” for the match. Axiom set up Ilja on the turnbuckle and hit a jumping kick to the side. They stood on the top rope where Axiom hit a Spanish Fly. Axiom charged, but Ilja hit a Torpedo Moscow headbutt. Ilja hit the H-Bomb forearm smash for the pinfall smash after 12 minutes. After the match, Ilja sold the fatigue of the match by falling back down after he was handed the title.

Winner by pinfall: Ilja Dragunov

Analysis: ***3/4 A great match like every Dragunov US Title match. Axiom is a guy who can really go in the ring, and if you give him a chance to show what he can do, then he’s always going to deliver. They had some strong nearfalls in the match, especially after that DDT spot off the ropes. That was not an easy move to do, but they pulled it off perfectly, and the fans really got into it. I didn’t expect a title change, but it was still fun to watch.

R-Truth was talking to SmackDown GM Nick Aldis. Truth said that he wants to be in the John Cena tournament. Truth had some plastic balls with his name in them and wanted Aldis to put the plastic balls in the tumbler. Truth left. Chelsea Green arrived with Alba Fyre and Green wondered when her championship celebration would be. Green complained that Aldis canceled her celebration, but she said she can have it next week and Aldis agreed. Aldis handed her Truth’s plastic balls. Green: “Whose balls are these?” No comment.

Sami Zayn was shown walking backstage for a promo segment up next.

(Commercial)

The WWE Elimination Chamber PLE is heading to Chicago on February 28th at the United Center. They usually run Allstate Arena in Chicago, so it’s a big deal that they are in United Center for the first time in three decades.

They showed action during the break with Tommaso Ciampa attacking Axiom at ringside. Nathan Frazer showed up, and Ciampa ran away.

Let’s Hear from Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn made his entrance for a promo. There is a storyline that Zayn has some injury and isn’t cleared to wrestle. A clip aired of last week when Zayn helped Rey Fenix when Solo Sikoa and the MFTs wanted to attack Fenix after a match. The fans were cheering for Zayn as usual.

Zayn said that since he’s been on SmackDown, there have been some high highs and low lows. Zayn said that when he came to SD, he said he’d beat Solo Sikoa for the US Title and he did that. Zayn said he got to wrestle John Cena in his last SmackDown match, and go toe to toe with the best talent on this show. Zayn spoke about how for the last few weeks, he has been on the sidelines hurt while watching Solo Sikoa and the MFTs attack people that Zayn is friends with. Zayn said he is no longer going to sit back and do nothing. Zayn called out Solo so they can deal with this face to face.

Solo Sikoa walked out with the MFTs to tell Zayn he knows he’s a liar and desperate, who is so damn selfish. Solo said that Zayn only cares about himself. Solo said that Zayn didn’t care about the guys in the back or the fans. Solo said what he cares about are the men standing behind him and their loyalty to him. Solo told Zayn he knows nothing about loyalty when it comes to family. Solo threatened to kick Zayn’s ass. Solo said Zayn is still wounded.

The MFT members Talla Tonga, Tama Tonga, JC Mateo, and Tonga Loa went on the apron as Solo got into the ring.

Solo said he’ll wait until Zayn is 100% medically cleared and when he is cleared, Solo told Zayn he is coming for him. Zayn told Solo he won’t have to wait very long. Zayn informed Solo he is 100% medically cleared as of tonight, so he dared Solo to do something about it right now. Zayn said he didn’t exactly come alone. The foursome of Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Fenix and the Motor City Machine Guns showed up at ringside to fight with the MFTs. Zayn knocked down Solo and stomped on him by the turnbuckle. Talla Tonga pulled Solo out of the ring to save him. The trio of JC, Tama and Loa attacked Zayn, so Zayn’s allies cleared the ring of those guys. Fenix went up top and hit a twisting cross body block on three of the heels on the floor.

Analysis: I thought it was a solid segment. I get the feeling that they might do a traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series elimination match on the night before WarGames, which I would love to see.

Cody Rhodes was backstage getting ready. Jey Uso told Cody he’s got his back tonight. Jimmy Uso walked up to Cody and said he’s got his back too. Jimmy said he talked to Punk and at WarGames he’s got Cody’s back too.

Analysis: That means Jimmy Uso is on the WarGames babyface team with CM Punk, Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. I assume the fifth spot will go to Roman Reigns.

(Commercial)

Solo Sikoa approached Nick Aldis backstage saying he wanted to face Sami Zayn. Aldis said you had more enemies than Zayn, so Aldis booked Solo and the MFTs against Zayn, Fenix, Nakamura and the Motor City Machine Guns on SmackDown in two weeks in a Survivor Series Elimination Match. After Aldis spoke, Bo Dallas of the Wyatt Sicks was in the background and the screen glitched like it usually does for the Wyatt Sicks group.

Analysis: I’m glad they are doing the Survivor Series Elimination Match that I suggested. It felt like it was coming based off last week when the 10 guys were brawling.

LA Knight made his entrance. His mystery opponent is…Zack Ryder. No Matt Cardona name. It’s the Zack Ryder name again. The fans popped for Ryder’s return. Graves mentioned Ryder has had a lot of success in the independents and succeeded in Death Matches, so he’s a different man now.

Analysis: It’s good to see Zack Ryder in this tournament and back on SmackDown. I would have liked to see him using the Matt Cardona name (his real name), but I don’t mind seeing the Ryder name on WWE TV again.

Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round: LA Knight vs. Zack Ryder

They each went for moves and didn’t really connect on anything early on. Ryder went for his Rough Ryder leg lariat, but Knight avoided it. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Knight clotheslined Ryder, who rolled out of the ring. Knight rammed Ryder’s head into the commentary table several times. They were back in the ring where Knight hit a neckbreaker. Ryder came back with a hard whip into the turnbuckle.

It was Knight in control with jabs and a clothesline. Knight hit a side Russian legsweep, and Knight hit a jumping neckbreaker. Ryder slammed Knight face first into the mat. Ryder hit a running forearm while Knight was against the turnbuckle. Ryder hit the running boot to the face that I believe was the Broski Boot for a two count. Knight hit a reverse DDT. Knight jumped off the top, Ryder avoided it and Zack hit the Rough Ryder for a two count. Good nearfall for a two count. Ryder countered Knight and got a rollup for two. Knight charged, Ryder hit him with two knees. Ryder jumped off the middle turnbuckle, Knight caught him and hit a Powerbomb. Knight hit a BFT for the pinfall win after about 9 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: LA Knight…yeah.

Analysis: ***1/4 It was an entertaining match. Ryder put up a fight and even hit his finishing move during the match, but Knight kicked out of it and found a way to win. Knight countered Ryder with that big Powerbomb, followed by the BFT for the decisive win. It was nice seeing Ryder in a match like this, but I didn’t expect him to win. Knight moving on was the right call. I hope WWE rehires Ryder, and I’m sure his wife, Chelsea Green, would like it too.

Alexa Bliss was talking to Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky backstage. They spoke about Charlotte Flair not wanting to team with them because of Ripley. Rhea said she thought they could put differences aside for one night. Bliss said she’ll try to talk to Flair. Ripley said now they had to find two partners. The foursome of Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Asuka & Kairi Sane beat up Bliss, Ripley, and Sky. The women were thrown into some equipment cases and other items. Lash hit a big forearm smash at one point. Referees showed up to break it up.

Analysis: I still think Charlotte Flair will be on the babyface team, but it will take some in-ring attack to set it up.

The WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill made her entrance for singles action.

A commercial aired for Montreal hosting SmackDown on January 23rd and Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24th. Montreal has the best fans, so those will be great crowds.

(Commercial)