Tonight’s WWE SmackDown, airing November 21, 2025, promises an action-packed night live from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The show sees The Judgment Day’s Finn Bálor take on Penta in The Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round Match. Plus, Carmelo Hayes will face The Vision’s “The Tribal Thief” “Big” Bronson Reed in The Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round Match.

The show kicks off at 8:00 PM ET on the USA Network and is available for international fans on streaming platforms like Netflix. Ringside News will provide live, match-by-match updates and highlights throughout the night. Stay tuned to this page, refresh for the latest results as the action unfolds, and join the conversation in the comments below!

WWE SmackDown Results (11/21/25): Live Match Updates and Highlights

The show opens up with commentary welcoming us as Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss and The Judgment Day’s Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh arrive at the arena. We also see Penta and The Vision arriving at the arena as the build to War Games continues.

We then get a video package looking back at Drew McIntyre making a statement last week, revealing he has joined The Vision’s team for WarGames. 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 the babyface teams respectively.

Paul Heyman is now in the ring with Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed and Logan Paul. Paul Heyman introduces himself before saying he has a vision for WarGames, something he will impose upon each and every one of us. Heyman then says at WarGames, 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. Heyman then hypes up each man before handing the microphone to Logan Paul. Paul tells the crowd to shut up because he has a lot to say. Paul then says he has five things and the first is.

Jimmy and Jey Uso then interrupt and they make their way out to a big pop from the crowd. Jey then tells Paul nobody wants to hear what he has to say. Jey then says they took care of Heyman’s crew on Monday night. Heyman then says they pissed off Logan Paul. He then says when he created the Bloodline, he did it so the family could eat instead of live off Roman. He then says the number’s game always wins. He then goes count and he points out how many people are in the ring and how many are on the floor. He then says they are outnumbered and they will either get their asses whipped or they are just so stupid.

Jimmy then says they learned from the best and they were not going to show up alone. Cody Rhodes’ music then hits, but he does not come out. We then see Drew McIntyre walk out of Cody’s bus and Cody is bloodied inside. Jimmy and Jey then run to the back to check on Cody. Officials then make their way out to assist Cody.

We then see officials and The Usos still checking on Cody as Cody is still trying to regain consciousness. Drew McIntyre then drives by and says see you at WarGames champ before driving off laughing and Corey Graves explains that Drew did nothing wrong since he never entered the arena.

Ilja Dragunov then makes his way down to the ring for the first match of the night and we find out that JD McDonagh is the one who answered his challenge as he makes his way down to the ring next.

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge Match: “The Mad Dragon” Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. The Judgment Day’s JD McDonagh

The match starts off with both men locking up and JD hits a forearm on the break. Ilja then hits a boot to the head. Ilja and JD then exchange forearms and Ilja hits an enzuigiri. Ilja then cinches in a waist lock and JD hits some back elbows to escape. JD then hits a knee to block a suplex. Ilja then blocks a suplex. JD then chops Ilja and sends Ilja throat first into the ropes and Ilja goes to the floor. The referee then checks on Ilja on the floor. JD then sends Ilja into the ringside barrier. JD then gets a near fall when they return to the ring. Ilja then hits a chop and he follows it up with a forearm. JD then hits a forearm to the back followed by a belly-to-back suplex.

JD then goes for a back breaker, but Ilja blocks it. JD then avoids an enzuigiri and hits a running leg drop. JD then hits some elbows to the back and cinches in a reverse chin lock. Ilja then gets to his feet and he backs JD into the corner and he chops JD a few times. JD then hits an Irish whip that sends Ilja face first into the turnbuckles. JD then hits a back breaker and he goes to the turnbuckles for a forearm and he gets a near fall. Ilja then hits some chops and JD slaps Ilja. Ilja then hits a European uppercut. JD then hits some Kawada kicks and Ilja hits a chop. JD then hits a chop and Ilja hits a back fist and a Konstantin Special. Ilja then hits chops and JD hits some forearms. Both men then go back and forth with strikes. Ilja then hits a German suplex and he holds on. Ilja then hits a second German suplex and he holds on.

Ilja then hits some elbows to the back and the clavicle. Ilja then hits a wrist clutch gut-wrench suplex. Ilja then goes up top and he misses a double stomp and rolls away. JD then hits a standing switch and JD counters a Konstantin Special with a Spanish Fly and JD gets a near fall. JD then hits some punches and both men exchange forearms. Ilja then sets up for a power bomb, but JD hits some punches to escape. JD then suplexes Ilja over the top rope and Ilja holds on so both men go to the floor. JD then sends Ilja into the announce desk before returning to the ring and Ilja barely beats the count. JD then cinches in a seated abdominal stretch.

Ilja then hits some forearms and a hip lock take down. JD then hits a sit out jaw breaker for a near fall. JD then stomps on the hand and he kicks Ilja in the chest. Ilja then hits some chops. JD then kicks Ilja in the head and Ilja hits a jumping head butt. JD then hits a suplex and he goes to the turnbuckles. Ilja then stops JD and he crotches him. Ilja then. hits a superplex and he rolls through, but JD grabs the hair and JD hits a brainbuster for a near fall.

JD then misses a moonsault, but lands on his feet. Ilja then hits a jumping kick and a belly-to-back into an elevated clothesline. Ilja then sets up for the Torpedo Moscow, but JD hits a flying knee. JD then hits a moonsault for a near fall. JD then sets up for Devil Inside, but Ilja hits some head butts. Ilja then goes for a power bomb, but JD escapes and hits a head butt. Ilja then hits a Torpedo Moscow followed by a power bomb and an H Bomb for the win.

The winner of the Open Challenge Match and still the WWE United States Champion, “The Mad Dragon” Ilja Dragunov!

We then take a look back at the Alexa Bliss/Charlotte Flair/Rhea Ripley situation. Charlotte and Alexa are walking in the back. Alexa says she is proud of Charlotte. Charlotte then says she did it for Alexa. Alexa then opens a door and IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley are in there and Alexa forces Charlotte into the room. Alexa then says they need to have a chat and IYO also leaves.

Cathy Kelley is now with Nick Aldis to discuss Cody Rhodes’ situation. Nick says they are checking on Cody and they have no updates. Nick then goes up to Paul Heyman and The Vision. Nick says he doesn’t know what he has planned, but the only reason Bronson is here is because he has a match and his hands are tied. Nick then says his hands are tied with Drew. Nick then says this isn’t WarGames, it is Smackdown so Drew is persona non grata. Heyman says he has deep respect for Nick. Heyman then says Drew is not in the arena or locker room. Heyman then says he is outside. Heyman then says he asked Drew to leave. Heyman then says he has no reason to have a beef with Nick. Heyman then says Bronson only needs an opponent stupid enough to face him like Carmelo Hayes.

We then see Ilja Dragunov walking in the back and he is told by Tommaso Ciampa that he would be champion if he wasn’t dealing with Fraxiom tonight. Ilja then calls him a jackass and walks away. Johnny Gargano then tells Ciampa to focus on their match.

Carmelo Hayes then makes his way down to the ring for the next match of the night and Bronson Reed follows with Paul Heyman.

The Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. The Vision’s “The Tribal Thief” “Big” Bronson Reed

The match starts off with Hayes going 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. Hayes then heads to the corner for a breather, but is met with some hard strikes by Reed. Hayes then hits some chops of his own before being sent back to the corner for a stomp by Reed, who brings Hayes back up to send him to the ropes for another shoulder tackle.

Reed then lays into Hayes with some right hands before mocking the crowd with a nod to Roman Reigns and this gives Hayes an opening to take Reed down for a near fall. Hayes then stays on top of things for another two count before forcing Reed to the outside. Bron Breakker and Logan Paul then make their way down to check in on Reed. Reed has Hayes in the corner and he cinches in a chinlock. He then continues the attack with a slam and a two count. Hayes is back on his feet and he hits a thrust kick on Reed, but Breakker distracts the referee allowing Paul to hit Hayes but it’s not enough to keep him down as he kicks out of a cover by Reed at two.

Reed then goes back to work on Hayes, but Hayes dodges a senton for a rollup and a two count. Hayes then hits a running knee and he hits the ropes for a clothesline. Reed then 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. Hayes then goes for a cover, but Reed kicks out at two. Hayes then heads to the corner, looking for The First 48 but Reed counters for a World’s Strongest Slam and a fall forward slam. Reed then goes up top for a Tsunami, but Hayes rolls out of the way. Hayes then hits The First 48 as Reed rolls to the outside, only to take a dive by Hayes that lands on The Vision.

Hayes then brings Reed back into the ring and climbs up for a DDT to the mat. Hayes then hits his Nothing But Net finisher and goes for a cover, but Reed kicks out. Hayes then goes back to the turnbuckles. Hayes then misses Reed and rolls through. Reed then hits a clothesline and both men are down. Hayes then rolls to the floor and Reed sets up for the spear, but Jey Uso hits a super kick while Logan Paul distracts the referee. Jimmy Uso and Logan Paul then fight into the crowd. Reed then sends Hayes into the announce desk and Paul Heyman distracts the referee. Reed then sets up for a power bomb, but Cody Rhodes sends Reed into the ring post and hits the Cross Rhodes. Rhodes then sends Hayes back into the ring and the referee starts his count. Reed then cannot beat the ten count.

The winner of The Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round Match due to a count-out, Carmelo Hayes!

After the match, Cody says he told Drew he was done with him, but he isn’t done any more. Cody then says Reed might be the best, but he won’t realize until he is looking at the lights. Cody then says a Steiner is never better than a Rhodes. He then tells Logan that nobody cares. Cody then reminds Brock that he is the last person to beat him. Cody then says that Paul builds them and he will beat them. Cody then says WarGames is not just a match, it is his birthright. Cody then says he will see you in San Diego.

We then head to the back, where Alba Fyre talks to security and Chelsea Green goes into her locker room. Kiana James shows up and says she wants to know where Chelsea is, but Alba says she doesn’t know where she is. Chelsea then says things are not right so it might not be time for the celebration. She then says the fans deserve the best celebration and she wants Alba to reschedule. Jade Cargill then tells Chelsea to says that she is the greatest champion again so she can show her what a real champion looks like. Chelsea then says she remembers that she has a thing and she runs away.

We then head to another backstage area, where Sami Zayn tells his team that the MFTs have targeted them every week, but now they are united. Sami then says they are shoulder to shoulder and we are looking at an international coalition. Sami then says they are five of the best from all over the planet. Sami then says they are one of the best tag teams over the last two decades. Alex Shelley then says you mess with him, but if you mess with all of them. Chris Sabin then says they are all brothers and they have each other’s backs. Sami then says they lit a fire under Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura then speaks in Japanese. Rey Fenix then says they are ready for next week.

Fraxiom then make their way down to the ring for the next match of the night and #DIY follow.

Tag Team Match: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa)

The match starts off with Axiom tagging in and they hit a series of kicks and a DDT on Ciampa. They then work over Gargano and he goes to the floor. Frazer then hits a suicide dive on Ciampa and Axiom hits one on Gargano. Frazer then hits one on Gargano and Axiom does the same to Ciampa. Axiom then hits a splash and Frazer tags in and hits a frog splash for a near fall. Gargano then pulls Ciampa into the corner to make the tag. Gargano then hits a forearm and a punch on Frazer. Gargano then hits more punches. Frazer then hits some punches and he lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt. Axiom then tags in and Gargano hits a super kick on Axiom. Ciampa then pulls Frazer to the floor and sends him into the ring steps.

Axiom then hits some forearms, but Gargano sends him into the turnbuckles and Ciampa tags in. They then kick Axiom into the corner. Axiom then hits a head butt to the midsection and Ciampa hits Axiom and punches him to send him to the mat. Ciampa then hits a chop and he chops him again. Ciampa then hits a slam and a boot on Axiom. Axiom then hits a punch and Ciampa cinches in a side head lock. Axiom then hits a drop kick. Gargano then tags in and Axiom hits some punches. Frazer then tags in and hits a double sledge and he flips over Gargano from the turnbuckles. Frazer then hits a running forearm and a thrust kick to knock Ciampa off the apron. Frazer then gets a near fall. Frazer then goes up top for a Phoenix Splash, but Gargano moves and Frazer rolls through. Ciampa then tags in and they hit Shatter Machine for a near fall.

Frazer then flips to his feet and he hits a drop kick for a near fall. Ciampa then hits a jumping knee and Frazer kicks Ciampa. Axiom then tags in and he goes up top and Ciampa meets him with a knee. Gargano then tags in and they hit a thrust kick and a Fairy Tale Ending for a near fall. Axiom then hits a thrust kick on Ciampa. Gargano then hits a kick and Axiom kicks Gargano on the turnbuckles. Axiom then sets up for the Spanish Fly and hits it. Frazer then hits a flip dive on Ciampa. Axiom then goes up top and Candice pulls off Axiom’s mask and Axiom falls to the mat. Axiom then hides his face and this allows Gargano to get the cover for the win.

The winners of the Tag Team Match, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa)!

We then see Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair sitting in a room and saying nothing. Rhea then says whatever went down between them, it was to prove who was the best. She then says both of them wanted to be the best. She then says they might get back on that in the future, but she is willing to put it all to the side for WarGames. Rhea then says she has always respected Charlotte. Rhea then says if she is asked who she would go to war with, she would pick Charlotte Flair. Charlotte then stands up and so does Rhea. Charlotte then says yes. She then says Rhea can. Rhea then tells Charlotte that she can trust her too. They both then shake hands.

We then get a video package looking at John Cena talking about being authentic, highlighted by the moment that led to him connecting better with fans.

Finn Bálor then makes his way down to the ring for the next match of the night and Penta follows.

The Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round Match: The Judgment Day’s Finn Bálor vs. Penta

The match starts off with Finn trying to attack Penta, but Penta hits him with a punch. Finn then hits a double leg take down and some punches. Finn then hits another double leg take down and a kick. Finn then punches Penta and he chops him. Finn then hits more punches. Penta then hits a head scissors take down and a kick in the corner. Penta then hits a hesitation headstand kick for a near fall. Finn then kicks Penta and he punches him. Finn then hits an Irish whip and he misses a forearm. Penta then hits a bulldog and Finn goes to the floor. Penta then hits a flip dive onto Finn.

Penta then sends Finn back into the ring. Penta then hits a chop. Penta then kicks Finn in the back of the leg a few times to send him to the mat. Penta then hits more kicks to the back of the leg. Finn then hits an Irish whip and Penta hits a thrust kick. Penta then goes to the turnbuckles and he sets up for a destroyer off the turnbuckles, but Finn hits a back body drop. Finn then hits a reverse DDT and he applies a reverse chin lock. Finn then pulls Penta to the mat and he hits an elbow drop for a near fall. Finn then does a strut and he kicks Penta in the corner. Finn then places Penta on the turnbuckles and Finn hits a punch. Finn then climbs the turnbuckles and Penta hits some punches.

Finn then sets up for a superplex, but Penta hits some punches and a head butt to send Finn to the mat. Penta then hits a cross body and both men are down. Finn then kicks Penta and punches him. Penta then hits a kick and some clotheslines. Penta then hits an Irish whip and Finn floats over, but Penta hits a leg sweep and it sends Finn into the turnbuckles. Penta then hits a kick for a near fall. Penta then sets up for a Penta Driver, but Finn escapes. Penta then sends Finn into the turnbuckles, but Finn hits a GTR for a near fall.

Finn then kicks Penta in the corner and Penta blocks a kick. Penta then hits a chop and he chops Finn again. Penta then hits a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Penta then blocks a kick and he hits a modified muscle buster for a near fall. Penta then goes for the Sacrifice and hits it. Penta then goes for the Penta Driver, but Finn gets a victory roll for a near fall. Finn then hits a sling blade and a drop kick into the turnbuckles. Finn then goes up top for the Coup de Grace, but Penta moves. Penta then hits the La Magistral for a near fall. Penta then hits a Penta Driver for a near fall. Finn then backs Penta into the corner, but Penta hits a Destroyer for the win.

The winner of The Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round Match, Penta!

After the match, we take a look at the brackets. Rusev will face Jey Uso, while LA Knight does not have an opponent in the second round due to an injury suffered by Sheamus. Pearce and Aldis will determine his opponent.

We then head to the back, where Solo Sikoa says Hayes’ night was tonight. He then says Monday your time is up and Solo’s time is now. He then says next week he is going to make an example out of Sami. Solo then says his five against Sami’s five. Solo then says do you think you have a chance against them. Solo then says they will put Rey in the dirt. Solo then says they are going to send Nakamura back to Japan. Solo then says the Machine Guns don’t have enough ammo to take care of them. Solo then says when it is just you and me Sami I will put you away for good.

We then see Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY in the back and we will find out who the fifth member of their team is next.

Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY then make their way down to the ring as commentary talks about the fact that they still need to name a fifth member. Rhea Ripley then has a microphone ready as the crowd cheers really loud. Ripley then talks about how loud the fans are and this gets them to be even louder. Ripley then talks about what went down on RAW at MSG and the show of unity between her team. Ripley then says in moments like those you find out who is real and who is fake. Ripley then says if she is going to war with someone, she wants to make sure she is going to war with the right people.

Ripley then says people like her friend IYO SKY, who she knows will go down swinging if it comes down to it. Ripley then says then you have Alexa and Charlotte, two of the most decorated women in the division. Ripley then says she might not be friends with them, but at the end of the day she knows they can trust each other. Ripley then says that is still just four people and at WarGames you need five. Ripley she introduces AJ Lee as the fifth member.

AJ Lee’s music then hits and Nia, Lash, Asuka and Kairi attack Alexa, Charlotte, IYO and Rhea. As AJ makes her way down to the ring, Becky Lynch ambushes AJ. Lash then hits a bicycle kick on Charlotte while Sane hits a back fist and Asuka hits a round kick on IYO. Rhea then hits a head butt on Lash. Becky then holds Rhea’s leg and Nia hits a splash. Nia then hits the aNIAlator on Rhea. Becky and Asuka then shake hands, indicating that she is their fifth member and the show comes to a close.

Matches & Key Moments Scheduled for WWE SmackDown on November 21, 2025 The Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round Match: The Judgment Day’s Finn Bálor vs. Penta The Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. The Vision’s “The Tribal Thief” “Big” Bronson Reed Tag Team Match: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) WWE United States Championship Open Challenge Match: “The Mad Dragon” Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. TBD AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green’s WWE Women’s United States Championship celebration