WWE SmackDown Results – Nov. 21, 2025 – Final Members of Women’s WarGames Teams Reveal, Penta vs. Finn Balor and Carmelo Hayes vs. Bronson Reed in The Last Time Is Now Tournament Matches

WWE SmackDown Results
Nov 21, 2025

November 21, 2025
Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Commentary – Michael Cole and Corey Graves
Results via Roy Nemer of WrestleView.com

Quick Match Results

  1. WWE United States Championship Open Challenge match – Ilja Dragunov (c) defeated JD McDonagh via H-Bomb (pinfall)
  2. The Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round match – Carmelo Hayes defeated “Big” Bronson Reed via Countout
  3. DIY defeated Fraxiom via Roll-up (pinfall)
  4. The Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round match – Penta defeated Finn Balor via Mexican Destroyer (pinfall)

Pre-show Arrivals

Superstar Arrivals include Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, along with Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and JD McDonagh. We also see Penta make his arrival, and The Vision are also here as the build to War Games continues.

Video: Last Week’s Show and This Week’s Monday Show Recap

Video Package: A look back at Drew McIntyre making a statement last week, revealing he has joined The Vision’s squad for War Games. We also get a look at the chaos that closed Raw this past Monday, featuring the return of Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns to round out The Vision and, uh, UnVision(?) squads respectively.

In-Ring: The Vision, Logan Paul, The Usos, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre

With that, we head to ringside where The Vision are standing by. Paul Heyman introduces himself before saying he has a vision for War Games, something he will impose upon each and every one of us. In War Games, five of your heroes, five main event Superstars, will be locked in a double cage with the likes of Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Logan Paul. He hypes up each man before handing the microphone to Logan Paul.

Logan tells the crowd to shut up because he has a lot to say. He has five things, and the first is–USO

Jimmy and Jey Uso make their way out to a big pop from the crowd. Jey says no one wants to hear what Logan has to say, before running down Heyman…who says they just made a mistake pissing off Logan Paul. He talks about creating the Bloodline so the Usos could be taken care of, before talking about the numbers game being important. Crowd chants “OTC” as Heyman counts that there are four of them in the ring and only two men with the Usos…who retort that they didn’t come here alone.

Despite “CM Punk” chants ringing out it’s Cody Rhodes who is meant to come out…except there is no sign of the Undisputed WWE Champion when his music hits. We cut to the parking lot, where we see Drew McIntyre stepping out of Cody’s tour bus…and we step inside the bus, where the champ is laid out and beaten down.

We cut to the back as the Usos make a run to check on their friend, with officials coming out to assist as we cut to commercial.

Parking Lot: Cody Rhodes, The Usos, Nick Aldis, Drew McIntyre

Back from break we see officials and Usos still checking on Cody when Drew drives by, saying “see you at War Games, champ” before driving off laughing.

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge Match
JD McDonagh vs. Ilja Dragunov (c)

We head back to ringside for our opening contest, as Ilja Dragunov makes his entrance for this week’s Open Challenge. We find out who is answer as JD McDonagh makes his way out to get this match underway!

The two go at it until the champ is sent to the corner, only to take JD down with a boot to the face. Suplex attempt is blocked by McDonagh, who takes the champ to the rope before sending him to the outside as we go to picture-in-picture.

Picture-in-Picture: JD continues the attack on the champ, bringing him back into the ring for a nearfall. Dragunov starts to fight back with some strikes before McDonagh sends him back to the mat, mocking the champ before going back to work…only for Dragunov to catch him with a side headlock, followed by an enziguri! McDonagh manages to get back into it, sending the champ to the canvas for a headlock…but Dragunov fights his way back to a vertical base, pulling JD to the corner. JD dodges a kick from the champ, bringing him back to his feet for a backbreaker. He climbs the turnbuckle for an axe handle from the most dangerous rope, maintaining control as we come back from break!

Both men fight to their feet with strikes, before Dragunov runs the ropes for a clothesline on the challenger. They trade chops until Dragunov catches JD with a German suplex, holding the waistlock tight for a second suplex. McDonagh blocks a third suplex attempt, but pays for it as Dragunov hammers away with elbows to the head before landing a suplex.

He climbs the turnbuckle but gets caught by the challenger, who hits a Spanish Fly for a two count. Dragunov fights back to his feet, but JD blocks a powerbomb attempt. They fight to see who will hit a suplex, and end up taking a tumble over the top rope to the outside as we we cut to a commercial break.

Back from break, the fight has returned to the ring where Dragunov gets caught with a brainbuster by the challenger for a two count. Moonsault is dodged by the champ, as he takes JD to the mat before heading to the corner. Torpedo Moscow is dodged by McDonagh, who hits his own moonsault for a cover…but the champ kicks out!

JD brings Dragunov to his feet, but the champ hits the ropes for a Torpedo Moscow followed by a powerbomb and the H-Bomb to pick up the win and retain!

Winner: Ilja Dragunov via Pinfall to retain the WWE United States Championship.

The champ celebrates

Video: Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Kabuki Warriors, Lash Legend, Nia Jax

We get a look back at last Friday, and Charlotte Flair opting herself out of the women’s War Games match. On Raw we see Alexa address this, before the Kabuki Warriors confronted her. This leads to chaos culminating in the arrival of Charlotte for the save.

Backstage: Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY

Backstage, we see Bliss and Flair talking when they enter a room where Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky are sitting. This leads to an apparent meeting between Charlotte and Ripley as we cut away.

Backstage: Nick Aldis, The Vision, Logan Paul

Elsewhere, Nick Aldis confronts Paul Heyman about the appearance of Drew McInytre earlier. He says Drew is persona non grata on his show, but Heyman insists that he even told Drew to leave because he respects the suspension. Addressing concerns about interference later, Paul promises that Bronson Reed needs no help before the Vision walk away.

Backstage: Ilja Dragunov, Tama Tonga, DIY, Candice LeRae

We head backstage where Ilja Dragunov is trying to get to the locker room after his match, and we see Tama Tonga and Tommaso Ciampa each confront him about going after the title.

The Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round Match
Carmelo Hayes vs. “Big” Bronson Reed

Back at ringside, Carmelo Hayes makes his entrance for our next match as he faces Bronson Reed in the Last Time Is Now Tournament, and that match is coming up next! …

From there, we head back to ringside as Bronson Reed makes his entrance alongside Paul Heyman, and they head to the ring to get this match underway!

Hayes goes after Reed with a flurry of offense, sending him to the corner…but it doesn’t take long for Reed to fight back with a shoulder tackle sending Hayes to the mat. Carmelo heads to the corner for a breather, but is met with some hard strikes Reed. Hayes hits some chops of his own before being sent back to the corner for a stomp by Bronson, who brings Hayes back up to send him to the ropes for another shoulder tackle.

He lays into Melo with some right hands before mocking the crowd with a nod to Roman Reigns…and this gives Hayes an opening to take Bronson down for a nearfall. He stays on top of things for another two count, before forcing Reed to the outside. Breakker and Logan head down to check in on their pal, as we head to commercial.

Back from break, Reed has Melo in the corner as he cinches in a chinlock. He continues the attack with a slam and a two count. Hayes back on his feet with a thrust kick on Reed, but Bron distracts the ref allowing Logan to hit Melo…but it’s not enough to keep him down as he kicks out of a cover by Reed at two.

Bronson goes back to work on Melo, but Hayes dodges a senton for a rollup and a two count. Running knee connects as Carmelo hits the ropes for a clothesline. Reed takes a boot on the ropes by Hayes, who takes him to the apron with a DDT before climbing up top for a frog splash. Cover by Melo, but it’s only good for a nearfall!

He heads to the corner, looking for The First 48…but Reed counters for a World’s Strongest Slam and a fall forward slam. Reed goes up top for a Tsunami…but Melo rolls out of the way! Hayes connects with First 48 as Reed rolls to the outside…only to take a dive by Hayes that lands on The Vision! Hayes brings Reed back into the ring and climbs up for a DDT to the mat! Nothing But Net, and the cover…but Bronson kicks out.

He goes for another Nothing But Net, but Reed dodges it before Hayes ends up on the outside. This allows Bron a chance to go after Hayes with a spear…but he’s cut off by Jey Uso! The Usos and The Vision go at it, the fight going through the crowd as Reed looks to go back after Hayes…but with the ref distracted, Cody Rhodes makes his return to take Reed out with Cross Rhodes! Reed and Hayes are both out, but Carmelo makes it to his feet first as he gets back in the ring.

The ref begins the count, and for the first time in forever I bear witness to an actual full ten count as the ref calls for the bell!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes via Countout.

Heyman goes to check on Reed when we see Cody come back to ringside for a microphone, cutting a hell of a promo on the opposing team that culminates in talking about Heyman building them up and Cody beating them down, before stating that War Games is more than just a match, it’s his birthright…and he’ll see Heyman’s crew in San Diego.

Backstage: Alba Fyre, Chelsea Green, Kiana James, Giulia, Jade Cargill

We cut backstage, where Chelsea Green talks about rescheduling her championship celebration because “the vibes aren’t vibing” (and a confrontation with Giulia doesn’t help), before Jade Cargill steps in to run her down for calling herself the greatest women’s champion there is. With that, we cut away.

Backstage: Sami Zayn, Motor City Machine Guns, Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura

We go backstage, where Sami Zayn is joined by Motor City Machine Guns, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Rey Fenix as they address Solo Sikoa and MFT, calling them out for a Survivor Series Elimination Match next week on the eve of Survivor Series itself.

Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) vs. DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano)

Frazer and Ciampa start off but it doesn’t take long for things to break down with all four men going at it…mainly Fraxiom sending DIY to the outside for a dive. Axiom brings Ciampa back into the ring as Frazer tags back in for a nearfall. Gargano brings his pal back to his corner for the tag, going after the hair of Nathan before bringing him back down to the mat. Tag made to Axiom, but DIY take control before patting themselves on the back on the apron as we go to picture-in-picture.

Picture-in-Picture: Ciampa makes the official tag to continue going after Axiom, mocking him while laying in some strikes. Axiom starts to fight back before taking a scoop slam by Ciampa, who drops onto Axiom for a two count. Axiom back on his feet for some strikes, sending Tommaso to the ropes for a a dropkick. Tag made to Gargano, who holds onto Axiom as we come back from break…

…and Axiom dodges a clothesline to make the tag to Frazer! He sends Ciampa off the apron before landing a standing 450 splash on Gargano for a two count. He climbs up top for a Phoenix Splash, but Gargano rolls out of the way for a tag to Ciampa. DIY land a Shatter Machine on Frazer, but the Revival nod only gets a two count.

Axiom gets a tag to go after Ciampa, who fends him off before tagging in Gargano. Johnny takes Axiom down for the cover but Frazer breaks the pin. Ciampa sends Frazer away, only to be knocked down by Axiom…who catches Gargano on the turnbuckle for a Spanish Fly! It’s only good for a nearfall as Ciampa gets involved…and this allows Candice LeRae an opening to rip the mask off Axiom!

He hides his face and this allows Gargano to get the cover for the victory.

Winner: DIY via Pinfall.

DIY celebrate on the ramp, LeRae still holding onto Axiom’s mask as we cut away.

Backstage: Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley

We cut to what feels like a cinematic vignette highlighting the meeting between Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley. They agree to put the past behind them for the sake of their team at War Games before shaking hands.

Video: John Cena

Video Package: John Cena talks about being authentic, highlighted by the moment that led to him connecting better with fans

The Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round Match
Finn Balor vs. Penta

Penta takes control at the outset, but it doesn’t take long for Balor to fight back. He gets the upper hand until Penta sends him to the outside, where he lands a dive on Balor as a replay of the move takes us to commercial break.

Back from break, Penta fights off Finn from the turnbuckle leading to both men on the mat. The ref begins the count as Finn makes it up at five, landing a kick to keep Penta at bay. He sends the luchador to the ropes, only for Penta to fight back and catch Balor with a thrust kick in the corner for a nearfall.

Finn starts fighting back, sending Penta down hard for a two count of his own. He boots Penta toward the corner, but Penta catches the foot before landing a hard chop. He does it again before landing a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and something of a muscle buster for a two count. He goes after the arm of Balor now, connecting with the Sacrifice…but Finn counters out of a driver for a nearfall.

Sling Blade connects, and he lands a dropkick sending Penta into the corner. He climbs up for a Coup de Grace, but Penta dodges it for a pumphandle driver that gets him a nearfall…followed by a Mexican Destroyer that gets the luchador the victory!

Winner: Penta via Pinfall.

Penta celebrates

Video: Sheamus, The Last Time Is Now Tournament Bracket Reveal

Commentary addresses the tournament situation in light of Sheamus sustaining a shoulder injury. Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce will discuss the matter and make an official announcement ahead of LA Knight’s match next week.

Video: Solo Sikoa, The MFTs

We cut to a vignette showing Solo Sikoa addressing Penta advancing, promising to take him down next Monday before he and his MFT take out Sami and his crew next Friday.

Backstage: IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss

Backstage, we see the new Best Friends Crew (Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, and Iyo Sky) and we will apparently find out who the fifth member of their team is next!

In-Ring: Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, AJ Lee, Kabuki Warriors, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Becky Lynch

We head back to ringside as Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss make an entrance, followed by Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley. They head down the ramp as commentary addresses the fact they still need to name a fifth member.

The quartet enters the ring, and Rhea has a microphone ready as the crowd cheers like crazy. Rhea addresses how loud the fans are, and this gets them even louder. Ripley addresses what went down on Raw at MSG, and the show of unity between her team. In moments like those, you find out who is real and who is fake. If Rhea is going to war with someone, she wants to make sure she is going to war with the right people.

People like her friend Iyo Sky, who she knows will go down swinging if it comes down to it. Then you have Alexa and Charlotte, two of the most decorated women in the division. Rhea might not be friends with them, but at the end of the day she knows they can trust each other. She says that is still just four people, and at War Games you need five…and she introduces AJ Lee as the fifth member!

Her music hits but she barely gets out as Kabuki Warriors, Lash Legend, and Nia Jax blindside the team in the ring…and as Lee gets toward the ring she is taken down by Becky Lynch. Becky aids in getting Rhea taken out, and she shakes hands with the team indicating she is their fifth member to bring SmackDown to a close.

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