Drama, competition, and chaos collided on WWE SmackDown this week — but in true WWE fashion, the night had as many twists backstage as it did in the ring. What began as a continuation of last week’s WarGames tension quickly turned into a series of unpredictable moments that left fans buzzing. And here’s where it gets really interesting... some storylines seem to be blurring the lines between heroes and villains.
WWE SmackDown (Episode 1,371) was taped on November 21, 2025, at Denver’s Ball Arena and broadcast November 28 on USA Network (Netflix internationally). The show kicked off with a recap video highlighting the ongoing feud between the Women’s WarGames teams and how that drama intersected with Monday Night Raw’s events. Commentators Joe Tessitore and Corey Graves set the scene while cameras panned backstage to Asuka, Charlotte Flair, and Team MFT preparing for battle.
LA Knight’s Mystery Opponent
LA Knight was stopped backstage by Cathy Kelley for an interview. The tension was clear when Kelley revealed that Knight’s next opponent would once again be a mystery challenger. Annoyed but composed, Knight reminded everyone that he wasn’t blaming Kelley — she’s just the messenger. He even tossed in a lighthearted jab, mentioning he’d heard Kelley’s mom was in attendance.
Jey Uso vs. Rusev — Quarterfinals Clash
Jey Uso electrified the crowd as he made his way through the audience, high-fiving fans before reaching ringside. Corey Graves noted that while Uso’s walkout looks fun on television, experiencing it live is something else entirely. Then, Rusev emerged from the stage, looked straight into the camera, and declared he was coming for John Cena — a bold statement if there ever was one.
The two faced off in a quarterfinal bout of The Last Time Is Now tournament. As Michael Cole explained, the winner would go on to meet either LA Knight or his mystery opponent in the semifinals on Raw. Early on, Rusev dominated the pace until the commercial break. When action resumed, Jey regained momentum and hit a flurry of attacks, though his Uso Splash attempt was stopped cold by a devastating Machka Kick. Rusev followed with a near fall, then locked in The Accolade, but Jey fought to the ropes to break it.
Then came the turning point — Rusev taunted John Cena through the camera, signaling that this match was personal. But as he lifted Jey onto his shoulders and mocked Cena’s signature gesture, Uso countered with a spear and hit the Uso Splash for the decisive pin.
Result: Jey Uso defeated Rusev in 9 minutes and 30 seconds, advancing to the semifinals of The Last Time Is Now tournament.
Cole reminded fans that the semifinals would happen Monday on Raw, with the tournament finals set for next week’s SmackDown. Powell’s post-match analysis? Rusev’s career momentum feels stuck, while Jey’s WarGames involvement might conveniently explain a potential semifinal loss.
The Miz, Nick Aldis, and a Curious Lottery
Things took a comedic turn backstage as The Miz lobbied Nick Aldis to name him LA Knight’s opponent. Aldis instead opted for fairness and pulled a name from a random-draw hopper. Miz interrupted, reminiscing about his long rivalry with John Cena. Then, R-Truth entered the room holding... his own “balls.” Aldis played along, saying he respected Truth’s "balls" but had his own to handle. When Aldis revealed the drawn name, it shockingly read The Miz. The Miz celebrated wildly, while Truth quipped that Aldis couldn’t handle his set.
Damian Priest, Zelina Vega, and Rhea Ripley Cross Paths
Cathy Kelley caught up with Damian Priest, who dismissed the idea that Aleister Black could "change" him. Priest promised to take satisfaction in physically reminding Black who he’s dealing with. Zelina Vega interrupted, promising that if Priest wants punishment, she and Black are eager to deliver more. After she left, Priest muttered about how Black and Vega always seem to speak in riddles that no one else understands.
Then, a surprise — Rhea Ripley entered and shared a warm hug with Priest. She said she was pumped for WarGames and needed to fire up Charlotte Flair for her upcoming advantage match. The friendly interaction hinted that the Judgment Day alliance might still have connections behind the scenes.
Chelsea Green’s Championship Celebration
Corey Graves hyped a special celebration for Chelsea Green’s recent U.S. Championship victory. Green strutted to the ring in a sash and sparkly dress, joined by Alba Fyre, as American, Canadian, and Mexican flags decorated the setup — a clear nod to her reign across “the continent of the North Americas,” as she amusingly phrased it. Just as she began a countdown for her pyro, Jade Cargill’s music hit.
Jade stormed to the ring, took down Fyre with a kick, and stopped Green mid-escape. She then planted the champion with her signature Jaded finisher. Scene-stealing, to say the least.
Here’s where the story gets murky — Green’s comedic confidence has won over many fans, but she’s still scripted as a villain. Meanwhile, Jade Cargill, who recently attacked Tiffany Stratton, is suddenly positioned as a heroic figure. Is WWE trying to flip the script? Fans are already debating whether this character alignment makes sense.
Flair, Ripley, and the WarGames Focus
Backstage, Charlotte Flair was loosening up for her match, encouraged by Alexa Bliss. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky appeared to confront her, prompting Flair to recall that she suffered an ACL tear the last time she faced Asuka. Then AJ Lee entered — a surprise cameo — and reassured the group that no matter what happened that night, she’d make sure their team triumphed in WarGames.
Team Sami Warms Up
Elsewhere, cameras found Team Sami — composed of Sami Zayn, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Rey Fenix, and Shinsuke Nakamura — preparing for their Survivor Series elimination match. Their chemistry looked sharp, setting expectations high for later in the show.
A preview of Tom Rinaldi’s emotional sit-down interview with John Cena aired, with Michael Cole announcing that the full video would drop on YouTube right after the December 8 edition of Raw. Before cutting to commercial, Graves teased The Last Time Is Now tournament semifinals, promising more developments after the break.
And that’s where things got even more unpredictable. Who will step up next in the tournament? And perhaps a bigger question — is WWE subtly reshuffling its babyfaces and heels ahead of Survivor Series? Fans were left with plenty to speculate. Do you think WWE is getting too experimental with its storytelling, or is this the refresh the product needs right now?
