The John Report: WWE SmackDown 11/28/25 Review
This is WWE SmackDown, featuring Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa leading teams in a Survivor Series elimination-style match, and the Last Time Is Now Tournament continues.
It’s the final SmackDown before Survivor Series: WarGames on Saturday night. Check out my WWE Survivor Series: WarGames preview here.
This episode was taped after last week’s SmackDown, and I did a post about the spoilers for it, so I’m aware of what’s to come. I can still enjoy or complain. The choice is mine. WWE did it that way so that they could have talent and staff some time off for the American Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. For the Americans out there, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I’m Canadian, and we had our Thanksgiving in early October, but I did enjoy watching and betting on NFL games on Thursday, so thanks, America, for the NFL. Go LA Rams, of course.
From the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, this is SmackDown for episode #1371. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
Since this episode is taped, the Netflix version of the show that I’m watching has a runtime of 1:31 or 91 minutes.
The opening video package was about setting up the Women’s WarGames match.
There was some pre-show walking shown of Asuka, Charlotte Flair, Solo Sikoa with MFTs, and LA Knight.
LA Knight was interviewed by Cathy Kelley, who mentioned that Sheamus has a shoulder injury, so he’s out of the Last Time Is Now Tournament, and she told Knight that Nick Aldis is going to film Sheamus’ spot in the tournament. Cathy said that Knight will once again face a mystery opponent. Knight complained about having to face a mystery opponent again. Knight said somebody is trying to stop him from making the rise he was meant to make. Knight said that he’s done it all with John Cena, but this tournament is pissing him off. Knight warned his opponent that he would eat a BFT.
It was Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary as usual. Mark Nash was the ring announcer.
Jey Uso did his entrance from the back of the arena, and the fans were on fire for him with their “Yeeting” on his way to the ring. Jey ran it back after the music stopped. Rusev was up next as the opponent, and there was no playing to the crowd from him.
Last Time Is Now Tournament Quarterfinals: Jey Uso vs. Rusev
The powerhouse Rusev punched and stomped on Jey to start the match. Jey tried to get some offense going, Rusev caught him and Rusev hit a spinning side slam. That’s where they went to a break, but it was right to the action on Netflix.
Rusev had control with a bearhug until Jey headbutted his way out of it. Jey avoided a charging Rusev, who went crashing into the turnbuckle. Jey did a punch combo to knock Rusev down. Rusev tripped up Jey and went for a submission, but Jey got out of it and Jey sent Rusev out of the ring. Jey hit a suicide dive to knock Rusev down on the floor. Back in the ring, Jey hit a Samoan Drop for a two count. Jey hit a Spear for just a one count as Rusev showed he had a lot left. Jey jumped off the top with nothing as Rusev hit him with a Machka Kick for a two count. Rusev applied the Accolade submission, Jey managed to break free and grabbed the rope to force a break. Rusev teased hitting an Attitude Adjustment, Jey slipped out of it, Rusev went for a kick, Jey avoided that, and hit a Spear. Jey went up top and hit an Uso Splash for the pinfall win after about 7 minutes, which is without the time in the commercial.
Winner by pinfall: Jey Uso
Analysis: ***1/4 A good match between two veterans. Rusev had some moments when he looked strong, but it was not a surprise to see Jey make the comeback. Rusev going for the Attitude Adjustment was the crucial mistake that cost him the win. I expected Jey to win this.
Jey Uso goes on to the Last Time Is Now Tournament Semifinals against LA Knight or his mystery opponent. The other side of the bracket is Gunther against Solo Sikoa in the semifinals.
The Miz was talking to SmackDown GM Nick Aldis. Miz said that he wanted to be back in the tournament. Nick had the tumbler with names in the plastic balls. Aldis said it had to be random. Miz spoke about his history with John Cena. Truth walked in with his balls, so then Aldis claimed he had respect for his balls and he had his own balls. While Aldis was arguing with Truth, Miz put the piece of paper with his name on it and replaced it with what Aldis had. Aldis revealed that The Miz’s name was on the paper. Truth: “You just couldn’t take my balls, could you?” Aldis said, “Unbelievable” that Miz is in the tournament.
Analysis: From a logical point of view, you could have somebody say they watched the show and saw Miz change the paper to his own name, but when you watch WWE programming, you need to avoid using logic sometimes.
Damian Priest was interviewed by Cathy Kelley, and he said his eye is healed. Priest said that Aleister Black and Zelina think they can change him. Priest said it’s weird and it’s not going to happen. Priest said that Black has been able to piss him off and he looks forward to kicking Black’s ass. Zelina walked up to Priest to say he’s the one who has been receiving the punishment. Priest wondered if Black sent Zelina. Zelina said that Black has bigger things to do. Zelina claimed the last time anybody talked about Priest was when Black burned his face off. Zelina said if Priest wanted more punishment, they would be happy to oblige. Zelina said they wanted to show how easy it was to get to him. Black was in the background watching. Priest said every week they talk, and the less they understand.
Rhea Ripley walked in to hug her buddy Damian Priest. When he asked if she was ready for WarGames, Ripley said you know the answer to that. Ripley said she had to go help Charlotte Flair get ready for her WarGames Advantage match, but after that she wanted to run an idea by Priest. Damian was looking forward to it.
Analysis: I guess the Priest-Black feud is still going. Long rivalry.
The Chelsea Green Women’s US Title celebration was next.
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The next WWE PLE is Survivor Series on November 29th in San Diego. Here’s the lineup:
- Men’s WarGames Match: CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso & Roman Reigns vs. Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre & Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman)
- Women’s WarGames Match: Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair & AJ Lee vs. Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Asuka, Karii Sane & Becky Lynch
- Intercontinental Championship: John Cena vs. Dominik Mysterio
- Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Nikki Bella
You can watch WWE Survivor Series: WarGames on November 29 streaming live at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the ESPN App in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.