WWE SmackDown Notes: Joe Tessitore Fills In For Michael Cole, Charlotte Flair Makes Surprise Return & Teases Women’s WarGames Match Challenge To Fatal Influence & Jade Cargill’s Group, John Cena Appearance Set for 11/13 Show Card

Joe Tessitore Fills In For Michael Cole

Friday’s taped WWE SmackDown show on USA Network featured RAW brand commentator Joe Tessitore filling in for Michael Cole for the commentary team.

The reason for Cole’s abscense was due to WWE held a double RAW and SmackDown tapings this past Monday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

---

Charlotte Flair Makes Surprise Return

WWE’s SmackDown show also featured Charlotte Flair making a surprise return.

During the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match between Fatal Influence (Lainey Reid & Fallon Henley) and B-Fab & Michin (c), Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley appeared from the crowd and attacked Jacy Jayne and Jade Cargill at ringside. Bliss and Paxley then went into the ring and attacked B-Fab and Henley resulting in the referee calling for the bell. This led to a brawl breaking out with Bayley running out to help out Bliss and Paxley.

We got company. 👀 @AlexaBliss_WWE, @TatumPaxley and @itsBayleyWWE have entered the fray!! https://t.co/bv0I1NBuQv

— WWE (@WWE) November 7, 2026

This led to Flair’s music playing and her running out to join in on the brawl and helped clear the ring of Fatal Influence and Cargill’s groups.

The Queen is here, CHARLOTTE FLAIR is BACK!!! 💎 @MsCharlotteWWE https://t.co/3wB4rNdxNr

— WWE (@WWE) November 7, 2026

In a follow-up segment, Byron Saxton interviewed Bayley, Flair, Bliss, and Paxley. Flair talked about if Cargill and Fatal Influence want a war, then they will give them one teasing a challenge for a Women’s WarGames match between the two groups.

With @itsBayleyWWE and @MsCharlotteWWE here, the vibes are pretty high! 😎 @AlexaBliss_WWE | @TatumPaxley https://t.co/67I2Q9jMqj

— WWE (@WWE) November 7, 2026

This was Flair’s first appearance since the October 9th show over her being attacked and “injured” at the hands of Cargill and her group.

---

Current Card for Next Week’s Show

WWE announced one new segmemt for the card of next week’s WWE SmackDown show on November 13 at the Amerant Bank Arena in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

This was announced to be John Cena to be making an appearance on the show.

John Cena will be LIVE next week on #SmackDown https://t.co/sRwPRtACU7

— False Finish (@FalseFinishHQ) November 7, 2026

Current card for November 13th WWE SmackDown show:

• John Cena to appear