Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for November 14, 2025

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky head to the ring to start tonight's show. Rhea states that The Kabuki Warriors have been causing chaos since she suffered a broken nose, and think that they are untouchable now that they have the Women's Tag Team titles. She then says that with Nia Jax and Lash Legend in the mix, they think they have the numbers advantage and that they are untouchable again, but the thing about numbers is that you end with more enemies. Iyo agrees, saying that enemies eventually catch up and there is nowhere to hide, hence the WarGames match. Rhea then introduces Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. Alexa says that if they want to play dirty, that is fine, and with all four of them in the ring, it is on. She says that they started it and that her team will end it, and when Rhea said "WarGames," she and Charlotte knew they were in. Charlotte says she cannot do this and that she cannot pretend anymore, then says that she does not like or trust Rhea and thinks that she is a snake, and that the feeling is probably mutual as there is too much history and bad blood between them. Charlotte says she cannot look past that, and while Alexa is her friend and she trusts her, she understands if Alexa wants to do this. At the same, she tells the rest of the team to count her out and leaves.

"Main Event" Jey Uso beats The Miz to advance in the Last Time is Now Tournament. During the match, The Miz hits Cena's "moves of doom," but cannot hit the Attitude Adjustment after Jey slips out of the attempt at it.

Backstage, Ilja Dragunov meets with General Manager Nick Aldis when #DIY (Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Candice LeRae) shows up and Ciampa confronts Dragunov. Dragunov says he promised to do things the right way when he upheld the United States Open Challenge and that he faces warriors and not jackasses. He then says that he has found an opponent who is a warrior and is also someone he respects. Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) show up, with Axiom being the next challenger, and #DIY is livid as they leave. Nick Aldis leaves, then runs into Paul Heyman and "Big' Bronson Reed, who want a word with Aldis.

We hear from John Cena, who talks about how his career began.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis calls for security, and Paul Heyman and "Big" Bronson Reed meets with Aldis regarding the men's WarGames match, and it is confirmed that Heyman can pick anybody from any brand for his team. Security show up along with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, who is not in the mood for Heyman or Bronson unless they are willing to fight. Bronson says he will fight, and Cody wants a match with Bronson tonight. Heyman questions why Cody is not making this a title match, and Cody wants the match despite Aldis telling Cody saying that Heyman is playing mind games.

Backstage, R-Truth speaks with General Manager Nick Aldis regarding the Last Time is Now Tournament, and offers to put his name in the tumbler again with the balls from last week. Aldis does, then Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre show up as R-Truth leaves. Chelsea wants to know when her championship celebration is, and wants it for next week with pyro. Aldis makes it so, then has Chelsea handle R-Truth's balls.

Ilja Dragonuv retains the WWE United States Championship against Axiom.

We see footage from during the break where Axiom is attacked by Tommaso Ciampa on his way to the back. Ciampa is forced to flee through the crowd when Nathan Frazer rushes out to save Axiom.

Sami Zayn heads to the ring. Sami says there have been "some extremely high highs and some extremely low lows" since he arrived to SmackDown. He talks about how he won the United States Championship from Solo Sikoa and got to wrestle John Cena while upholding the United States Open Challenge. He admits the last four weeks have been extremely challenging for him, as he is not medically cleared and he has had to watch The MFTs (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo) run roughshod and attack friends of his. Sami says he has listened to General Manager Nick Aldis not to put his body at risk, but that ends tonight, and calls out Solo Sikoa, knowing that both men have problems with each other, so they can end things face-to-face. The MFTs show up, and Solo says he knows "the real Sami," and says he is a liar, pathetic, desperate and selfish. He says Sami cares for no one but himself while Solo himself cares for The MFTs and their loyalty to him. Solo says Sami knows nothing when it comes to loyalty to family, then tells him to watch who he is talking to before he gets in the ring and kicks his ass, as he is still wounded. He then snaps his fingers and sics the rest of The MFTs on him. They stop on the apron while Solo gets in the ring and says he could drop Sami right now if he wanted to and that he will wait until Sami is cleared before he comes for him. Sami tells Solo that he does not have to wait very long, as he is "100% medically cleared" as of tonight, and dares Solo to do something about it. As Solo takes off his jacket, Sami tells Solo he did not show up alone. The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley), Shinsuke Nakamura and Rey Fenix pull The MFTs off the ring apron and fight them while Sami Zayn fights Solo in the ring. Talla Tonga saves Solo from a Helluva Kick, and The MFTs attack Sami afterwards. Nakamura, Fenix and the Machine Guns make the save, and Fenix takes everyone out on the outside from the top rope.

Backstage, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is met by "Main Event" Jey Uso, who wishes Cody luck in the ring tonight against "Big" Bronson Reed and tells Cody he has his back when Jimmy Uso says that he has Cody's back, too. Jimmy also says he talked with CM Punk on the phone and that he is in for WarGames.

Backstage, Solo Sikoa demands a match with Sami Zayn from General Manager Nick Aldis. Aldis pits The MFTs (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo) in a Traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series Match against Sami, Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Fenix and The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) in two weeks.

LA Knight's mystery opponent is revealed to be Matt Cardona, who makes his first appearance under the Zack Ryder name in over five years.

LA Knight beats Zack Ryder to advance in the Last Time is Now Tournament after powerbombing Ryder out of the air before hitting the BFT for the win.

Backstage, Alexa Bliss speaks with Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky, saying that she cannot get a hold of Charlotte Flair. Rhea admits she hoped to put her differences aside with Charlotte. All of a sudden, Nia Jax and The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) attack all three of them before Lash Legend joins in.

Jade Cargill beats B-Fab. After the match, "Michin" Mia Yim checks on B-Fab, then confronts Cargill when she spots her. Cargill shoves Michin, and the ref holds Michin back as Cargill leaves.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis announces that in the Last Time is Now Tournament, Carmelo Hayes will face "Big" Bronson Reed while Penta will face Finn Balor.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Carmelo Hayes. Carmelo tells The Miz that he might have won the battle, but the war has begun, and he will see him when he sees him. As for the Last Time is Now Tournament, he hopes to be the one to hang Cena's jersey from the rafters, as he will not miss his shot. "Big" Bronson Reed and Paul Heyman show up. Bronson tells Carmelo he will end "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes tonight before being the one to end John Cena after he ends him next week.

We hear from Aleister Black and Zelina Vega. Aleister mentions what Damian Priest tried to do to him in their last match and that Priest fears what he has become. Zelina says they have forced Priest to break his code and have corrupted him. Aleister says he and Zelina are looking to greater things, as he has left fear behind since he returned to WWE and has become everyone's enemy.

"Big" Bronson Reed vs. "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhoedes for the Undisputed WWE Championship ends in a no contest after Cody is attacked from out of nowhere by Bron breakker and Logan Paul. "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes retains the Undisputed WWE Championship. The Usos (Jimmy and "Main Event" Jey Uso) run in and make the save for Cody, and hit Logan Paul with the 1D. They then set up a table to Uso Splash Logan Paul through it, but Drew McIntyre suddenly shows up and takes down The Usos. General Manager Nick Aldis confronts Paul Heyman at ringside, and it becomes very apparent that McIntyre is part of Paul Heyman's WarGames team before Breakker Spears Jey Uso through a table. Logan Paul knocks Jimmy Uso out, then Cody Rhodes gets up and fends off both Logan and McIntyre until McIntyre hits him with a Claymore Kick. McIntyre then sets Cody up for a Tsunami from Bronson Reed. Heyman then hands the contract for their match to McIntyre and shakes his hand. Heyman then hands the contract for their match to McIntyre and shakes his hand.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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