Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for November 7, 2025

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cody talks about how he retained at Saturday Night's Main Event, and says that while he has been reluctant to pull the trigger on opponents in the past, he had no problem with McIntyre, who he says has a lot of charisma but keeps self-sabotaging. Cody states that he is moving on from McInytre, and from here, me might as well sit with the fans and see who is next in line for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Aleister Black and Zelina Vega show up, with Aleister Black saying he is ready to move on to something new after setting Damian Priest on fire and that he has a chip on his shoulder the size of the Undisputed WWE Championship. Zelina tells Cody that his nightmare begins now, then slaps Cody in the face. Suddenly, General Manager Nick Aldis shows up and makes Cody vs. Aleister tonight's main event.

Ilja Dragunov briefly runs into Tama Tonga while on his way to the ring.

Before the next match, Ilja Dragunov wants to know who will step up before stating that pain will entertain everyone. The challenge is answered by #DIY (Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Candice LeRae), and Ciampa addresses what happened last week and says that nobody calls him a jackass. Ciampa then states that the United States Championship is his, and when he gets in the ring, Dragunov says Ciampa is right, and accepts the challenge. Instead of Ciampa challenging Dragunov, however, it is Johnny Gargano.

Ilja Dragunov retains the WWE United States Championship against Johnny Gargano in a United States Open Challenge match.

Backstage, Sami Zayn meets with General Manager Nick Aldis and asks to be at ringside for Rey Fenix's match, but Aldis wants Sami to get healthy. Sami warns Aldis that he will not stand by and watch for much longer. Sami leaves, then R-Truth arrives. R-Truth wants a match with John Cena and puts two tumbler balls in Aldis' hands, saying "I came here to put my balls in your hands." Aldis tells R-Truth his name is already in the tumbler, and R-Truth says he doesn't want his balls touching Aldis' balls before leaving.

Backstage, Tommaso Ciampa is stewing when Johnny Gargano shows up with Candice LeRae and apologizes. Fraxiom shows up and laughs about Ciampa being shot down by Dragunov twice.

Jade Cargill heads to the ring and declares that she is "that bitch." Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss show up before Jade Cargill gets to the back for the next match, and Charlotte and Cargill have a war of words. Alexa has to hold Charlotte back very briefly before they get to the ring.

Backstage, Chelsea Green talks with Alba Fyre when B-Fab and "Michin" Mia Yim show up. Chelsea Green says that she will be a double champion and the greatest champion on SmackDown when Jade Cargill shows up. Chelsea and Alba retreat, Cargill yells at B-Fab to back off, then Cargill challenges B-Fab to a match next week - which B-Fab accepts - when B-Fab starts talking about Cargill behind her back.

Nia Jax beats Charlotte Flair with the A-Nia-Lator after Lash Legend shows up from behind the barricade and chokes Alexa Bliss out.

Nick Aldis announces that for the next two matches in the The Last Time Is Now Tournament, The Miz will face "Main Event" Jey Uso while LA Knight will take on an opponent whose identity Aldis leaves as a surprise.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Nia Jax and Lash Legend. Nia says she would have beaten Charlotte Flair, then says that Lash Legend is a formidable adversary and a good friend after facing her. Lash Legend says she is everything she says she is, and she and Nia are going straight to the top, with tonight being just the beginning.

Chelsea Green beats Giulia to become the WWE Women's United States Champion after Alba Fyre superkicks Kiana James on the outside for getting involved and Chelsea Green uses the ropes for leverage when she pins a distracted Giulia with a stack-up pin.

Backstage, Solo Sikoa tells The MFT's (Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo) did well last week, but Sami Zayn is still walking around and both The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross) and Ilja Dragunov have championship gold that they want back. He tells Talla Tonga to make a statement and warn everyone not to disrespect his family. As The MFT's leave, The Wyatt Sicks meet up, and Erick Rowan says "Not yet."

Backstage, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss are in the trainer's room when they are handed a bag of ice by Asuka, who spits blue mist into their faces.

The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) and Shinsuke Nakamura take out Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa and JC Mateo before the next match begins.

Talla Tonga beats Rey Fenix. After the match, Talla Tonga is about to choke slam Fenix again when Sami Zayn chases Talla Tonga and Solo Sikoa out of the ring with a metal folding chair.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews The Miz. The Miz says that he simply reminded Carmelo Hayes of what he is capable of when he attacked him, then takes offense to the fact that there is a tournament to decide John Cena's final opponent when he is standing right here. Miz then says that he will beat "Main Event" Jey Uso, win the tournament and make everyone cry when he ends John Cena's career.

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes vs. Aleister Black ends in a no contest. During the match, referee Dan Engler is levelled out of nowhere by a Claymore Kick from Drew McIntyre. McIntyre and Aleister gang up on Cody, then Damian Priest shows up and fights them both off. Aleister rakes Priest's eyes and escapes with Zelina, then Cody hits McIntyre with a Cody Cutter. General Manager Nick Aldis then shows up and suspends Drew McIntyre for his actions to end the show.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!