wrestling / TV Reports
Winfree’s WWE Smackdown Review 11.21.25
Image Credit: WWE
Loading...Well everyone it’s time for another episode of WWE Smackdown. Tonight we’re still hurtling towards Survivor Series. The men’s WarGames match is set as Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns have filled out the heel and face teams respectively while the female side of things is a little less clear. Charlotte Flair is apparently coming around to help out the good guys, but both heel and face teams currently sit at 4 so one more each side is still forthcoming. It’s unlikely for either Brock or Roman to show up on Smackdown though, so whatever build that match gets will come courtesy of the other members. Sheamus is out of the Cena tournament so his replacement will get announced or at least teased tonight. We also get Penta vs. Finn Balor and Carmelo Hayes vs. Bronson Reed in Cena matches, Chelsea Green will have a celebration after winning the women’s US title a couple of weeks ago as well. On the plus side Fraxiom vs. DIY should be good and Ilja Dragunov will have another US open challenge and those have been moderate highlights the last few weeks. Still no direction for Jade Cargill other than squashing lower card talent, no sign of Randy Orton, no real update on what Damian Priest and Aleister Black will be doing to each other, no update on who attacked Jacob Fatu, the tag team title scene is still frozen in carbonite while Solo’s Misdirected Funeral Tamales play around with Sami Zayn and his squad of otherwise unoccupied babyfaces, because the Wyatt Sicks are holding the belts and doing nothing until after Survivor Series. Smackdown has been struggling a bit the last couple of weeks, hopefully we can get things back on track this week.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome us to the show and we seem wrestlers arriving at the venue. The women of WarGames will announce their last members, also human Funko Pop JD McDonagh is here with Finn Balor. Heyman’s Vision Quest is here, minus Brock and Drew in this image.
That leads to a recap of last week when Drew McIntyre joining Heyman’s group, plus the returns of Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns from Monday.
To the ring and here’s Paul Heyman along with Logan Pual, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed in the ring. Heyman’s got a mic and introduces himself before talking about his vision for WarGames. In WarGames five heroes and main event talent, I didn’t know Jimmy had gotten cut from the match, will be locked in a cage. Bron will bite all of their asses, Reed will hit several Tsunami’s, and Logan is such a putrid individual that even the Devil would sell his soul to keep Logan away from him. Logan gets the mic now and he plays with the crowd, before he can get goin Jey Uso’s music hits and out come both Jimmy and Jey. Both Usos have mics and Jey says no one wants to hear from Logan. He brings up this whole group getting dropped on Monday. Heyman responds and says he created the Bloodline so Roman’s family could eat, and he taught them that the numbers game always wins. Heyman then counts the four of them in the ring vs the two Usos and they’re about to get whipped by the numbers game. Jimmy encourages a CM Punk chant, and he says they learned from him and they’re definitely not here alone. That brings out WWE champion Cody Rhodes, well actually it gets his music but no sign of Cody. In the back we see Drew coming out of Cody’s bus and Cody having been left bloodied. Jimmy and Jey run to the back to check on Cody while some PA calls for a medic. That sends us to break.
We come back to people checking on Cody. Drew shouts at the group and drives off.
Commentary remind us that Drew didn’t actually get into the arena so he didn’t violate his suspension. That’s treading some thing ice even by wrestling standards.
Ilja Dragunov heads to the ring for our first match, the US open challenge. Tonight Ilja’s opponent will be JD McDonagh and his Invader Zim style head.
Match #1 – US Title Match: (c) Ilja Dragunov vs. JD McDonagh
They tie up and jockey for position, eventually we get a body blow from JD, then Ilja boots him to the mat. Elbows go back and forth then Ilja lands a leaping enziguri. JD knees out of a suplex then lands a chop. JD slings Ilja head first into the middle rope, Ilja breaks out that spot on occasion, and we go picture in picture.
On the floor JD rams Ilja into the barricade before they head back into the ring. Ilja is selling the heck out of his head as he lands a chop and elbow but can’t follow up because of the head damage. JD avoids an enziguri and hits a running leg drop to the back of the head. Chin lock from JD, Ilja fights free and lands a few chops but gets launched chest first into the corner by JD. Backbreaker from JD then a second rope elbow drop and that gets a 2 count as we come back to broadcast. Ilja looks to fire up, JD with Kawada kicks but Ilja chops him several times then hits a Konstantin Special to put both men down. They start trading strikes, Ilja then hits a German suplex but keeps the grip so he can fire off another one. JD blocks a third but Ilja lands hammer and anvil elbows then hits an overhead throw. Ilja up top for a senton, JD avoids it then counters a Konstantin Special with a Spanish Fly for a 2 count. They resume trading strikes then JD avoids a powerbomb and we get the suplex over the ropes spot and both men fall to the floor as we go picture in picture again I think.
Both men barely beat a 10 count, JD was willing to take the count out but he’d not have won the title with that outcome. JD with a seated Abdominal Stretch, Ilja breaks that hold and lands strikes then hits a judo hip toss. Jawbreaker from JD, nice sell from Ilja, and that gets a 2 count. Some kicks from JD but Ilja fires up and hits Kobashi style rapid fire chops. Headbutt from Ilja but JD fights back with a suplex. JD up top as we come back to broadcast, Ilja attacks him and joins him up top then hits a superplex. Ilja rolls through but JD yanks him by the hair and hits a Brainbuster for a near fall. JD heads up top, has to roll through on a moonsault then Ilja with a boot and a nice looking Ore Ga Taue but Ilja is still selling his head like death. Ilja wants the Torpedo Moscow but JD intercepts with a Busaiku Knee. JD up top again, Moonsault connects but only a near fall. The crowd think this is awesome, hard to really disagree. Headbutt from Ilja then JD avoids a powerbomb but Ilja hits a Torpedo Moscow then a release powerbomb and an H-Bomb to follow up and retain the title.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Ilja Dragunov retained the title in 15:19
Rating: 4 stars
Thoughts: Some great near falls down the stretch and these two work well together to the shock of no one. Ilja’s selling remains top notch and JD more than held his own. Nice job from both men here.
We get a recap of Charlotte Flair declining the WarGames spot last week then changing her mind on Monday.
In the back Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair walk and talk, Charlotte is doing this for Bliss but doesn’t trust the other two. Bliss pushes Charlotte into a room with Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky, Bliss tells her to have fun and chat with the other two then heads out. Iyo joins Bliss so Rhea and Charlotte can hash things out as we fade away.
Cathy talks with Nick Aldis, Aldis has no update on Cody then moves over to talk with Heyman and company. Aldis tells Heyman that this isn’t WarGames yet, and Drew is still suspended around here. Heyman says Drew is outside and he asked Drew to leave because Heyman respects the rules from Aldis. They head out and Aldis seems annoyed.
Back to the ring here comes Carmelo Hayes, he’ll take on Bronson Reed after this break.
We come back to Ilja walking in the back still selling like death. He finds Tama Tonga who says he’s coming then walks off. Tommaso Ciampa talks some trash too and Ilja calls him a jackass again before walking off. Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae come over and try to get Ciampa to focus on their tag match later.
Back to the ring and here comes Bronson Reed with Paul Heyman.
Match #2: Carmelo Hayes vs. Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman
Hayes goes right at Reed with strikes and quick movements but eventually he runs into a wicked back elbow from Reed. Headbutt from Reed then a corner chop. Hayes tries to fight back but Reed overpowers him. Another back elbow from Reed then a headbutt. Hayes with a DDT then a springboard fade away DDT for another 2 count. Hayes dropkicks Reed out of the ring and here come Bron and Logan to help Reed powder as we get commercials.
I’m trying a Netflix feed tonight so I’ve got action through the break. Reed directs Logan and Bron to further flank the ring and then gets into the ring. Chin lock from Reed to keep things slow. Hayes is able to elbow out of the hold then hits the ropes but runs into a boot. Another rest hold from Reed and he’s keeping things grounded. Headbutt from Reed then a jumping splash as we come back to broadcast. Some corner work from Reed then another rest hold. Hayes hits a jawbreaker then Reed lands a back suplex for a 2 count. Hayes flips out of a back suplex and lands a superkick, Logan trips Hayes as Bron has the ref distracted then Reed follows with an elbow drop for a 2 count. Another headbutt from Reed but Hayes avoids a senton then grabs a crucifix for 2. Enziguri from Hayes then a kick to the knee and a running knee strike then springboard clothesline. Reed rolls to the apron, Hayes boots him then hits a fade away leg drop and jumping DDT onto the apron. Hayes goes up top, Frog Splash and a near fall. Reed blocks a First 48 and hits a World’s Strongest Slam and a senton. Reed up top but Hayes avoids the Tsunami and Reed wipes out. First 48 from Hayes and Reed falls out of the ring. Hayes lines up a dive and hits it onto Reed, Bron, and Logan. Hayes is able to push Reed into the ring, he goes up top and hits a diving DDT for a really good near fall. Again Hayes goes up top, this time Reed avoids his jump and hits a clothesline to floor Hayes. Hayes rolls out of the ring, Bron lines up a charge and Logan distracts the ref but Jey show up to superkick Bron. Jimmy attacks Logan and the Usos take the two Vision guys out of play. Reed knocks Hayes into the announce table as Heyman distracts the ref. Reed then gets attacked by Cody who hits a Cross Rhodes on the floor then shoves Hayes back into the ring. That’ll eventually get Hayes the count out win, incredibly fast count by the ref there.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Carmelo Hayes won via count out in 13:32
Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: This could have been better with some time shaved, they didn’t need 13 minutes and Reed’s control segments still lack energy or interest. When he’s actually on offense he’s fine but control is a different animal and he hasn’t quite got that figured out yet. Hayes advancing is fine, Gunther will give him a good match before winning and the finish protected Reed plenty.
Cody’s got a mic, he doesn’t want to be done with Drew now and says Reed might be the best in that group but he wont figure things out until he’s looking at the lights. As for Bron, a Steiner is never better than a Rhodes. No one cares about Logan, and he’s the last man to beat Brock Lesnar not once but twice. As for Heyman, he’s figured out that Heyman can build anyone but Cody will still beat them. WarGames is his birthright and he’ll see Heyman’s group in San Diego. Nice fire from Cody.
In the back Giulia and Kiana James chase Chelsea Green around but Alba Fyre runs interference. Green isn’t feeling the celebration tonight. Jade Cargill comes over to take issue with Green’s self talk and Green scampers away. OK then.
Fraxiom head to the ring next, they’ll take on DIY after this break.
Post break we see Sami Zayn talking with his team and hyping up their Survivor Series elimination match that, you know, isn’t on Survivor Series. The Guns talk a bit, Shinsuke Nakamura speaks Japanese to them then Rey Fenix adds Spanish. Sami promises that next week that Solo’s squad is going down.
Back to the ring, Ciampa comes out to “No One Will Survive” while Johnny follows with “Rebel Heart”. That’s pretty good.
Match #3 – Tag Team Match: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) vs. DIY (Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano) w/ Candice LeRae
Frazer and Ciampa start, Frazer with quick moves the Axiom tags in and Ciampa takes some rapid fire offense, then so does Johnny. That lines up the suicide dive train from both men. Axiom and Ciampa head into the ring, Splash from Axiom but Frazer tags and follows with a Frog Splash and Johnny saves the match. Johnny tags himself in and starts punching away at Frazer. Frazer flips out of a back suplex and tags, Axiom winds up eating a superkick though and Ciampa rams Frazer into the ring steps and we get commercials.
Axiom chops at Johnny in the ring but Ciampa with a bit of a cheap shot then tags in. Ciampa stomps away at Axiom to retain control. Axiom fights back but Ciampa hits a scoop slam. They trade some strikes then Axiom hits a dropkick to floor Ciampa. Johnny tags in and blocks the hot tag as we come back to broadcast. Axiom out of the corner and tags in Frazer who gets to run wild on Johnny for a bit. Frazer’s speed is impressive, he drops Ciampa with a superkick then hits a running Shooting Star Press on Johnny for a 2 count. Now Frazer goes up top but Johnny avoids the Phoenix Splash, Ciampa tags in and they hit the Shatter Machine on Frazer for a near fall. Some evasive moves from Frazer then Ciampa kicks his knee and hits a knee strike but Frazer lands an enziguri. Axiom tags in now and flies into a knee from Ciampa. Johnny tags in, superkick and Fairy Tale Ending but Frazer with a dive to break up the pin and save the match. Axiom superkicks Ciampa but Johnny kicks him. Johnny up to, Axiom kicks him though and climbs up to hit a gorgeous Spanish Fly. Frazer dives onto Ciampa, Candice unmasks Axiom though and that lets Johnny cover him to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: DIY won in 7:44
Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: Some nice action but a pretty lame finish knocks things down.
Post match Johnny heads out with the mask still in his possession as Frazer covers Axiom’s head with a towel.
In the back Charlotte and Rhea stare across a table. Eventually Rhea breaks the silence and says their history is about who’s the best, they might find themselves in that spot again but she’ll put that aside for WarGames. Rhea does respect Charlotte and puts her over. Charlotte stands and says she’s in for WarGames. The two shake hands.
We get a Cena video again.
To the ring and here’s Finn Balor for our presumed main event. A Smackdown show main evented by no one on Smackdown. Balor heads to the ring as we head to break.
Post break Penta heads to the ring.
Match #4: Finn Balor vs. Penta
Penta avoids a cheap shot and gets after Balor with strikes. Balor with a double leg and punches then a stomp. Chop from Balor then some corner work. Penta hits the ropes and strikes with a hurricanrana then a flurry of corner offense for a 2 count. Running facebuster from Penta, I think they were trying for a Sling Blade style move, Balor heads out of the ring and Penta follows with a dive to send us to commercials.
Penta puts Balor back in the ring and hits an overhand chop. Leg kick from Penta then another one, and a third for good measure. Kick to the gut from Penta then he tries a Mexican Destroyer but Balor counters with a back body drop. Some control work from Balor then he taunts the crowd. Russian leg sweep from Balor then a chin lock. Some control work from Balor then a very bad Penta strut, Balor is not a smooth operator it seems, then he puts Penta up top. Balor climbs up with Penta and lands punches, he wants a superplex as we rejoin the broadcast. Penta knocks Balor down then follows with a cross body and both men are down. Balor recovers first and looks to keep control but Penta kicks him then fires up with clotheslines. Leg sweep from Penta then an enzui superkick for a 2 count. Balor avoids a Penta Driver and hits an Eye of the Hurricane for a 2 count. Some kicks from Balor but Penta catches one then chops his lungs out a few times. Tilt a whirl backbreaker from Penta then a Muscle Buster for a 2 count. Penta tries the Sacrifice and hits it then Balor counters a Penta Driver with a Victory Roll for a 2 count and follows with a Sling Blade. John Woo kick from Balor then he heads up top, Penta avoids the Coup de Grace and grabs a Magistral Cradle for a 2 count then follows with a Penta Driver for a near fall. Mexican Destroyer out of the corner and Penta pins to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Penta won in 10:16
Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: Sudden finish but I think that’s a good thing, if there’s a bit of a downside it’s that this pairing has kind of been done to death but the two work well enough together.
We get brackets but we don’t have a replacement for Sheamus yet. Both GMs are talking it over and Knight will take on a mystery man next week.
Solo video because the man needs a Kubrick like number of takes. Solo says he’s taking out Penta after he takes care of Sami and his motley crew. They’re letting Tonga Loa play parrot to what Solo says, that should tell you how little they care about this.
The female faces for WarGames walk and will announce their fifth team member after this break.
Post break the faces of WarGames get their entrances, everyone’s music plays but it’s Rhea that plays them to the ring. The four head to the ring together then Rhea gets a mic. She brings up what happened on Monday and says those moments show you who’s real and who’s fake. Now Rhea puts over Iyo as someone who has her back for war, then brings up Bliss and Charlotte. She puts over Bliss and Charlotte’s accomplishments and she now knows she can trust them. That does leave one spot open, and you need a fifth for WarGames. She brings out their fifth member, AJ Lee. The four heels attack from behind, AJ charges down but gets jumped by Becky Lynch. This leads to the heels overall getting to beat down the faces and stand tall to end the episode with Becky shaking hands with Asuka.
