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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
NOVEMBER 7, 2025
GREENVILLE, S.C. AT BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of today 6,865 tickets were distributed right before showtime. The arena was set up for 7,129. The arena has a capacity of 16,000 spectators when configured for concerts.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Javier Machado to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
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OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with a video recap of the Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre match at last weekend’s Saturday Night’s Main Event including Cody DDT’ing Drew onto the title belt that Drew brought into the ring and tried to use against Cody leading to the finish.
-Cody Rhodes made his entrance, smiling and saluting the crowd, slapping hands and autographing signs. Cody asked what people wanted to talk about. He then said they’d talk about Drew “introducing a weapon into the match.” Fans sang “Cody, Cody Rhodes.” He indulged it for ten seconds, then interrupted and said, “This is going to be a fun show, isn’t it? You guys are here to have a good time, aren’t you?” He then went back to what he was saying. He said his hesitation to pull the trigger has hurt in the past, but he didn’t hesitate when it came to Drew. He said Drew is the most self-sabotaging wrestler in the history of the business. He said he is ready to move on. He said Drew is in the rear view mirror. He said he wants to do something different and come out into the crowd and watch the rest of the show with the fans and see who is next in line for the WWE Championship. Fans cheered. Aleister Black’s music then played.
Black walked out with Zelina Vega. He said since setting Damien Priest on fire, he’s been ready for something new. Fans booed. He said he has a chip on his shoulder “and it’s about the size of the WWE Undisputed World Title.” Zelina said, “It’s too bad your nightmare begins now.” She slapped Cody. Smackdown G.M. Nick Aldis walked out and booked Cody vs. Black for the TV main event.
(Keller’s Analysis: It’s interesting Cody decided to frame his DDTing of McIntyre on the belt as intentional while the announcers wondered if he did it on purpose. Cody vs. Black in AEW coincided with fans in AEW souring on Cody. That shouldn’t be an issue here, but we’ll see. I expect Priest and McIntyre to get involved in the TV main event. I think everybody does.)
-They showed Jade Cargil and Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss arriving in the parking lot. The “Superstar Arrivals” segment, as Cole called it, now is sponsored.
-They showed Dragunov walking backstage as Cole said he would defend his U.S. Title in another open challenge. He crossed paths with Tama Tonga and had a staredown before heading to the ring. [c]
-Back from the break, Dragunov stood mid-ring and wondered who would step up. “Pain shall entertain you,” he said. Ciampa took issue with Dragunov calling him a “jackass.” He said he is surrounded by jackasses in Greenville. Dragunov told Ciampa he is right. Fans chanted “Jackass!” Dragunov smiled and said he accepts the U.S. Title Challenge “from him.” He pointed at Gargano.
(Keller’s Analysis: I get they want to show Dragunov frustrating Ciampa and assume fans will delight in Ciampa’s frustration, but it did come across as if Dragunov was ducking a direct challenge.)
(1) ILJA DRAGUNOV vs. JOHNNY GARGANO (w/Tomasso Ciampa, Candice LeRae) – U.S. Title Open Challenge
The bell rang 20 minutes into the hour. Dragunov had a knee brace on his right leg. They cut to a double-box break about 90 seconds in. [c/db]
Gargano landed a superkick and poison rana for a two count. Dragunov battled Gargano in the corner and headbutted him. He landed a leaping senton out of the corner for a two count at 9:00. Dragunov landed a chokeslam seconds later. Gargano seemed out of it, so while the ref was checking on him, Candice knocked Dragunov off his path as he ran the ropes. Gargano then recovered and dove through the ropes and DDT’d Dragunov. Gargano then landed a One Final Beat in the ring for a near fall. Dragunov superplexed Gargano from the ring apron in a show of strength and then landed the H-Bomb for the win.
WINNER: Dragunov in 11:00 to retain the U.S. Title.
-They were filming Nick Aldis discussing plans with a referee (WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT?) when Sami Zayn knocked on his door and walked in. Sami said he wanted to be ringside for Rey Fenix and have his back. Aldis said he knows he wants to be there for his friend, but he’s not medically cleared. He said he’s a huge liability for him if he’s out there, so he should concentrate on getting healthy. Sami said he won’t stand by much longer. Sami left and in walked R-Truth. Truth asked to get included in the tumbler. “I came here to put my balls in your hands,” he said. He handed him two plastic balls with his name in them. Aldis said his name is already in the tumbler. Truth still seemed upset and said he didn’t want his balls touching Aldis’s balls anyway and he stormed off.
(Keller’s Analysis: I will celebrate the day WWE stops producing backstage segments like it’s a scripted drama for tweeners on Disney Channel. It’s so easy to create scenarios that feel less scripted and preordained than the way they do these. There’s zero believability that a director of a show would go backstage to film Aldis telling a referee something off-mic that isn’t relevant to the show, and there was no reason the director would know that Sami was about to enter the room to make the scene relevant. All they have to do is have a camera following Sami instead or create a scenario that Sami interrupts that would be worth filming. It just chips away at the sense of authenticity that what’s happening isn’t just a scripted-for-your-entertainment show.)
-Highlights aired of Jade Cargill beating Tiffany Stratton at SNME last weekend. [c]
-Nathan Frazer and Axiom laughed in front of Gargano, Ciampa, and LeRae about Ciampa being denied the match he wanted. They said that’s what you get when you’re a jackass. They laughed and left.
(Keller’s Analysis: I can see some people thinking Frazer and Axiom were the heels there.)
-Jade made her ring entrance. She said, “Make no mistakes about it, I’m that bitch!” She threw down the mic and left. As she headed up the aisle, she crossed paths with Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss on their way to the ring. Bliss had to keep Charlotte on track.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was brief, but that’s probably for the best. Certainly Jade vs. Charlotte feels like a big match in the Women’s Division.) [c]
-Chelsea Green was bragging backstage to Michin and B-Fab that she’s going to be the first and fourth U.S. Champion and then double-champion. She turned around and Jade was standing there. Jade told her to keep talking and she’ll put a hole through her chest. B-Fab told Michin that Jade doesn’t need to run her mouth like that. Jade asked what she said. B-Fab said she doesn’t have be acting that way. Jade said, “Girl, I do what I want. If you got a problem with it, you can step up and get stepped on next week in that ring.” B-Fab accepted.
(2) CHARLOTTE FLAIR (w/Alexa Bliss) vs. NIA JAX
The bell rang 52 minutes into the hour. Charlotte took Jax down with a Thesz Press. Jax took over and they cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Charlotte took over after the break and landed a top rope moonsault for a two count. Charlotte knocked Jax off the second rope and the leaped onto her with a knee for a two count at 8:00.
[HOUR TWO]
Jax blocked a figure-four attempt and then lifted Charlotte for a Samoan Drop. Charlotte countered into a tornado DDT for a two count. At ringside, Lash Legend attacked Bliss. Graves said they hadn’t seen her on Smackdown in months. Jax then landed a rather gentle Annihilator on a distracted Charlotte for the win. Cole said he’s not sure what the relationship is with Jax and Lash, but Smackdown’s Women’s Division has a new problem. Jax and Lash hugged and smiled at ringside.
WINNER: Jax in 10:00.
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside who reacted to Lash showing up. Cole then said in five weeks, Cena wrestles his final match on Saturday Night’s Main Event.
-Aldis then announced the next two match-ups from names drawn out of the tumbler backstage: Miz vs. Jey Uso and L.A. Knight vs. a mystery opponent. Aldis opened the ball and looked at the name, then said he’s going to keep that to himself.
-Cole didn’t like having to wait until next week. They plugged Cody vs. Black was coming up.
-Giulia and Kiana James made their entrance. [c]
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Jax and Lash. She asked how the alliance came about. Jax said she clearly would have beaten Charlotte. She mocked the Bliss-Charlotte friendship when talking about her and Lash. She said she faced Lash and she’s a bad ass. Lash said she is everything she says she is and tonight was just the beginning of their journey to the top.
(3) GIULIA (w/Kiana James) vs. CHELSEA GREEN (w/Alba Fyre) – U.S. Title match
Green’s ring entrance aired. When she got to ringside, she handed her U.S. Title belt to Ethan Page in the front row who had his NXT North American Title. Graves said he holds the AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles (do NOT give Tony Khan any ideas!) with Green. The bell rang 16 minutes into the hour. Giulia dominated early and beat up Green in the ropes. James then punched Green. Alba Fyre kicked James. Giulia kicked Fyre from the ring. Green then rolled up Giulia and put her boots on the middle rope for extra leverage and got a quick three count. Green and Ethan celebrated together.
WINNER: Green in 2:00 to win the U.S. Title.
-Solo Sikoa spoke backstage with the MFTs. Solo said the Wyatt Sicks and Dragunov have something that belongs to the family. He told Talla to go make a statement against Rey Fenix and send a message to never disrespect the family again. As they walked away, the Wyatt Sicks (sans Uncle Howdy) crawled into the scene behind them.
-Rey Fenix made his entrance. [c]
-Backstage, Charlotte helped Bliss ice her shoulder and head. Asuka walked in with Kairi Sane dressed as nurses and sprayed mist in their eyes.
-As Solo led the MFTs to the ring, the Wyatts attacked the MFTs.
(4) REY FENIX vs. TALLA TONGA (w/Solo Sikoa, MFTs)
Fenix went on the attack early with dives. Talla caught Fenix, but Fenix threw Talla into the ringpost. Talla overpowered Fenix and threw him into the ring. The ref called for the bell 27 minutes into the hour. Talla tossed Fenix around the ring until they cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Fenix eventually made a comeback, but Talla cut it short. Solo applauded at ringside. Graves said Talla was “just playing with his food.” Fenix snapped Talla’s neck over the top rope. Fenix then walked the top rope and punt-kicked Talla. He leaped off the top rope with a crossbody for a two count. Fenix superkicked Talla in the chin, then followed up with a top rope leap. Talla caught him by the throat. Fenix went for a huracanrana, but Talla blocked it and powerbombed him. He followed with a chokeslam for the win.
WINNER: Talla Tonga in 9:00.
-During a post-match attack, Sami Zayn ran out with a chair in hand. Talla and Solo left as fans chanted “Sami! Sami!” Cole said Sami might have a death wish.
-Cole and Graves announced Jade vs. B-Fab next week, plus Knight vs. a mystery opponent and Jey vs. Miz.
-Kelley interviewed Miz backstage. She asked about his attack against Carmelo Hayes last week. He said everything he touches, he makes important. He said he made Hayes relevant. He said he beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania which should have made their match inevitable. He said there shouldn’t be some open tournament. He said highlights like Jey fade, but legacies don’t. He said he lives in legacies. He said he will win the tournament. He said the critics will cry and the Internet will whine, but he will win the tournament “because The Miz is awesome!”
-Aleister Black’s ring entrance took place. [c]
(5) CODY RHODES vs. ALEISTER BLACK (w/Zelina Vega)
Cody’s entrance aired. The bell rang 49 minutes into the hour. Cole said Black knows the opportunity in front of him tonight. Black blocked a Disaster Kick with a kick of his own, sending Cody to ringside at 1:00. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Black dominated until a Cody comeback at 5:00. They fought back and forth and exchanged near falls. Black landed a high kick and a kneelift into a German suplex into a bridge for a two count. They stood mid-ring and exchanged a variety of strikes. Black set up Black Mass. Cody blocked it. They knocked each other down with simultaneous kicks. With both down, fans squealed and shrieked as Drew charged into the ring. He gave the ref a Claymore and yelled at the ref for being against him. Cody tackled Drew. Black got up and joined Drew in attacking Cody. Priest charged out for the save. Priest clotheslined Black over the top rope and then attacked him against the announce desk. Vega leaped at Priest. Priest dumped her over the security barricade. Blacks then poked Priest’s eye that Black had previously burned. Cody then gave Drew a Cody Cutter in the ring.
Aldis walked out and said he has had enough of Drew. He told Drew he was suspended. Cole said it was more self-sabotage from Drew. Drew yelled at Aldis and said everyone is against him and his back is against the wall.
WINNER: No contest in 8:00.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Javier Machado to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
VIP MEMBER EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
LINK TO BE A VIP CALLER: https://streamyard.com/mbd9py9dw8
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).
OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
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