Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for December 5, 2025

Drew McIntyre steps out of a white Dodge Ram only to be confronted by General Manager Nick Aldis and security. Aldis immediately tells McIntyre to leave, but as McIntyre gets in his car, he is suddenly attacked by "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, who security holds back. Cody makes his way to the ring to start tonight's show, then calls McIntyre out for invading his tour bus and proceeds to call him "WWE's resident cockroach." Cody says that McIntyre may not have beaten him, but he has definitely broken him, and he appeals to General Manager Nick Aldis to unsuspend McIntyre so he can "stomp [the cockroach] out."

Backstage, #DIY (Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Candice LeRae) still has Axiom's mask as they plan how to get back to the top of the tag team division. Ciampa says that when he is done with Ilja Dragunov, he will be United States Champion. Carmelo Hayes shows up and tells them to reschedule that, saying he has next before calling Ciampa a jackass despite #DIY's shirts telling people not to call Ciampa a jackass.

We hear from Damian Priest, who says that he has heard Aleister Black talk in circles for too long before proclaiming that Aleister will not break him and that he is only delaying the inevitable. Damian says that if Aleister will bring in Zelina Vega, he will bring in Rhea Ripley. Rhea shows up and says that Zelina made the mistake of poking the bear without thinking she would show up, and says that she just signed her death warrant and that she and Aleister will find out why nobody survives "The Terror Twins."

Ilja Dragunov retains the WWE United States Championship against Carmelo Hayes after Tommaso Ciampa shows up and shoves Carmelo off the top rope as referee Charles Robinson checks on Dragunov.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. Charlotte says she joined Alexa's WarGames team because it meant so much to her, and Alexa says that while WarGames did do Charlotte good, it made their bond stronger. Charlotte now looks forward to winning back the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships.

We see a video package of highlights from the Last Time is Now Tournament.

Backstage, Cathy Kelly interviews LA Knight. LA Knight says he does not want to repeat himself too much and says the last time is now between him and Gunther. He says that Gunther may be a former world champion, but he is an unstoppable force, and if Gunther wants a fight, he will give him one and drop him on his head.

We look back on John Cena's match with "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles from Royal Rumble 2017.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe is seen in the front row before the next match.

Alexa Bliss beats Kairi Sane after Charlotte Flair takes out Asuka on the outside. After the match, Charlotte and Alexa are attacked from behind by Nia Jax and Lash Legend. Asuka gets in the ring and fights off Lash and Nia, but Nia headbutts Asuka and knocks her out. Kairi attacks Nia, but Lash Legend takes her out and readies Kairi for an A-Nia-Lator, which Asuka saves Kairi from. Nia and Lash raise up the women's tag team titles.

Backstage, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes meets with General Manager Nick Aldis. Oba Femi and Ricky Saints are in Aldis' office, with Oba wondering why they are both her, as is Saints. Cody introduces himself, then says that whoever wins between them at Deadline faces him at Saturday Night's Main Event next week.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Nia Jax and Lash Legend. Nia says The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) got what they deserved after Asuka spit blue mist in Lash's face and caused them to lose WarGames. Lash says that they are coming for the Women's Tag Team Championships and that there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Jade Cargill quickly beats Alba Fyre after Kiana James and Giulia show up and attack Chelsea Green on the outside.

Backstage, Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axion) meets with General Manager Nick Aldis, wanting a match with #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa). Ilja Dragunov shows up and says that Tommaso Ciampa is begging for his attention and wants a match with Ciampa. Dragunov gets his match, then tells Fraxiom that they will get what is left of Ciampa next week. Dragunov then turns around and comes face to face with The MFTs (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo).

Backstage, Jade Cargill runs into B-Fab again, but she is soon met by "Michin" Mia Yim, who confronts Jade again, saying she does not understand friendship. This soon leads to another match, as Jade says she will meet with General Manager Nick Aldis regarding a rematch.

The MFT's (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo) head to the ring. Solo Sikoa says they did what they said they would do and took Sami Zayn out, and now, he and his family can move on, which brings him to The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross). He says that Uncle Howdy has been watching his family, but they have been watching him. He introduces Uncle Howdy to his family tree, then says Howdy's family has something that belongs to his: the WWE Tag Team titles. Solo warns Uncle Howdy that everything that was Bray Wyatt's and is now Howdy's will soon become his, as he is going to take everything from him that he loves and show everyone that Howdy does not deserve the name "Wyatt." He says he will do this because he can, and that all he has to do is "Bo-lieve." We then see a rebuttal from The Wyatt Sicks, who show up on the apron when the lights go out. Solo turns their back on them all, but comes face-to-face with Uncle Howdy. The MFT's are behind Howdy, and Howdy is not afraid before he and Solo brawl, with everyone else soon jumping in. Everything comes down between Talla Tonga and Erick Rowan, and Rowan overpowers Talla. The Wyatt Sicks stand tall in the ring while The MFT's stand down.

Backstage, The Miz meets with General Manager Nick Aldis, but gets upset when he is not even on Saturday Night's Main Event. Aldis is also aware of the bait and switch he pulled last week. Bayley shows up and thanks Aldis, and Miz gets upset and leaves. Nick Aldis reminds Bayley that her opponent is none other than Sol Ruca, who shows up. Bayley reminds her that she has been watching her and that SmackDown is another level, but Sol Ruca says she is aware. Bayley tells Sol Ruca that she will be watching her at Deadline.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Gunther, who says that he will beat LA Knight and then beat John Cena in his final match. He says that while there is a whole locker room full of passionate superstars who want this chance, the tournament is a forgone conclusion. He says that Cena can see him, and he wants him to pay attention to how he will beat LA Knight tonight.

We hear from Aleister Black. He says that Damian Priest has stood too long by people who did not stand by him, then says he will be the one to give it to Priest straight and tell him that he left him the perfect monster. Zelina Vega shows up and brings up their collective past on the main roster, stating that Rhea Ripley wants to keep Priest in her cage of control and that what she is doing is only hastening the inevitable. Aleister says that if Priest wants an inferno, then he will guide him through one.

We see a John Cena interview snippet about the fraternity of pro wrestling.

Gunther beats LA Knight by submission with a cravat to win the Last Time is Now Tournament and face John Cena at Saturday Night's Main Event.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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