Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for November 21, 2025

The Vision ("The Oracle" Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, "Big" Bronson Reed, Logan Paul) is in the ring to start tonight's show. Heyman states that he has a vision of WarGames and that he will share this vision with everyone: The Vision, Drew McIntyre and Brock Lesnar winning in the men's WarGames match. Logan Paul takes the microphone, but before he can say much, The Usos (Jimmy and "Main Event" Jey Uso) show up, and Jey says nobody wants to hear what Logan has to say. Heyman reminds Jey that the numbers game always wins, and that The Usos are outnumbered. Jimmy tells Heyman that they did not come alone, and "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes' music hits. Cody fails to show, and Drew McIntyre is show walking out of Cody's tour bus, with Cody on his back beaten up and lacerated. The Usos runs to the back to catch up with Cody as he is about to receive medical assistance. After the commercial break, Drew McIntyre drives by and says "I warned ya, champ!" as numerous people check on Cody Rhodes.

Ilja Dragunov retains the WWE United States Championship against JD McDonagh.

Backstage, Alexa Bliss has Charlotte Flair speak with Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley. Iyo leaves after Rhea asks her to give her a minute.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis has no update on "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. He then sees The Vision ("The Oracle" Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, "Big" Bronson Reed, Logan Paul) and confronts Heyman. He says that his hands are tied regarding Bronson, who has a match tonight, as well as Drew McIntyre, who he calls "persona non grata" on SmackDown. Heyman says that McIntyre is outside and that he has asked McIntyre to leave, then says Bronson needs more opponents as stupid as Carmelo Hayes.

Backstage, Ilja Dragunov is met by Tama Tonga, who wants his title, and Tommaso Ciampa, who also wants his title and who Dragunov still thinks is a jackass. Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae meet up with Gargano for their upcoming tag team match later tonight.

Carmelo Hayes beats "Big" Bronson Reed by count-out after The Usos (Jimmy and "Main Event" Jey Uso) keep Bronson Reed and Logan Paul from interfering in the match and after "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes hits Bronson with Cross Rhodes on the outside while Paul Heyman distracts the referee. After the match, Cody Rhodes says he is not done with Drew McIntyre yet, then makes it clear to The Vision, Drew McIntyre and Brock Lesnar that he will beat them and that WarGames is his birthright.

Backstage, Chelsea Green successfully runs past Alba Fyre to get away from Kiana James and Giulia. Kiana and Giulia leave, and Chelsea says that she does not have a good feeling about tonight. She then runs into Jade Cargill, who says that she will show her what a real champion is like.

Sami Zayn meets with Rey Fenix, The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) and Shinsuke Nakamura. Sami addresses The MFT's (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo) for targeting every one of them. Shelley says The Guns have known Sami for a long time, and Sabin says that no matter what, they battle together. Sami says The MFT's also lit a fire under Nakamura as well as Rey Fenix, then challenges the MFT's to a Traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match next week.

#DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) beats Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) after Ciampa distracts the referee so that Candice LeRae can remove Axiom's mask before Axiom can hit Gargano with the Golden Ratio.

Backstage, Rhea Ripley speaks with Charlotte Flair. She says that whatever went down between them was to prove that they were the best, and while they will get back to that path at some point, she is willing to put things to the side for WarGames. She says that everything they have gone through, she has always respected Charlotte and has always wanted to go to war at WarGames with her. Charlotte says "Yes. Yes, you can." Rhea says "Great. Then you can trust me, too." Both women shake hands.

We see a snippet of an interview with John Cena about being authentic, talking about how he came up with rap lyrics out of the blue where he dissed everyone. This led to his being more authentic on WWE programming.

Penta beats Finn Balor to advance in the Last Time is Now Tournament.

It is announced that Sheamus has suffered a shoulder injury earlier this week and will not face LA Knight in the Last Time is Now Tournament, and that talks are being had as to who will take his place.

We hear from The MFT's. (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo) Solo Sikoa congratulates Penta, but tells Penta that his time is up and that his time is now. He says he will make an example out of Sami Zayn in next week's match, saying that he and his team does not stand a chance, with Tama Tonga agreeing. Solo says that when the smoke clears out and that it is just him and Sami, he will put Sami away for good.

Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley head to the ring. Rhea Ripley says that the four of them united was a real problem for The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), Nia Jax and Lash Legend, as people soon get to see who is real and who is fake. She says that she wants to make sure she is going to war with the right people. She knows that Iyo can be counted on to have her back and come out swinging immediately, and while she, Charlotte and Alexa may not be the best of friends, they can all trust each other. Rhea then says they are still just four people, and announces the fifth member of her team as AJ Lee. As she shows up, everyone in the ring is attacked from behind by The Kabuki Warriors, Nia and Lash. AJ Lee heads to the ring, but is attacked from out of nowhere by Becky Lynch, leading to an all-out brawl both in and out of the ring. AJ Lee heads to the ring, but is attacked from out of nowhere by Becky Lynch, leading to an all-out brawl both in and out of the ring. Nia hits Rhea with an A-Nia-Lator after Becky trips Rhea from the outside, then Becky gets in the ring and shakes hands with Asuka to close out the show.

Here are the highlights for tonight's show!