by On the November 21, 2025 episode of WWE SmackDown, live from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, AJ Lee and Becky Lynch were officially added to the opposing Women’s WarGames teams. In a major moment, Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair finally sorted out their differences during an intense one-on-one conversation backstage.
The “Last Time is Now” tournament also continued, with Penta and Carmelo Hayes advancing to the quarterfinals. Plus, United States Champion Ilja Dragunov issued another U.S. Title Open Challenge — keep reading to find out who answered it and everything else that went down on this explosive show before Survivor Series!
WWE SmackDown 21 November 2025 Complete Results – Winners and Losers”
- Ilja Dragunov retains the United States Championship by defeating Jd McDonagh in the U.S. Title Open Challenge match via pinfall
- Carmelo Hayes advances to the Quarterfinals of Last Time is Now tournament by defeating “Big” Bronson Reed via count-out
- #DIY (Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano ) defeated Fraxion (Nathan Frazer and Fraxiom) via pinfall (Gargano pinned Axiom)
- Penta advances to the Quarterfinals of Last Time is Now tournament by defeating Finn Balor via pinfall
All Highlights and Major Moments from the Show
- The Vision (accompanied by Paul Heyman) kicks off the show in the ring. Heyman shares his “vision” of WarGames: The Vision, Drew McIntyre, and Brock Lesnar winning the men’s WarGames match. Logan Paul grabs the mic but is quickly interrupted by The Usos. Jey tells Logan nobody wants to hear from him, and Heyman reminds them that the numbers game always wins. Jimmy responds that they didn’t come alone. Cody Rhodes’ music hits, but instead of Cody appearing, Drew McIntyre emerges from Cody’s tour bus carrying a bloodied and beaten Cody on his back. The Usos rush to the back to help Cody as medical staff attend to him.
- In the women’s locker room, Alexa Bliss advises Charlotte Flair to speak alone with Rhea Ripley and sort out their differences. Iyo Sky and Alexa Bliss then leave the room, leaving Rhea and Charlotte alone to talk.
- Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis tells reporters he has no update on Cody Rhodes’ condition. He then confronts Paul Heyman about The Vision. Aldis says his hands are tied regarding Bronson Reed, who has a match tonight, and calls Drew McIntyre “persona non grata” on SmackDown. Heyman replies that McIntyre is outside the building and claims he has asked him to leave, then adds that Bronson needs more opponents as stupid as Carmelo Hayes.
- Backstage, Chelsea Green narrowly escapes Alba Fyre while fleeing from Kiana James and Giulia. After Kiana and Giulia walk off, Chelsea mutters that she has a bad feeling about tonight. She immediately bumps into Jade Cargill, who tells her she’ll show her what a real champion looks like.
- Backstage, Sami Zayn meets with Rey Fenix, The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin), and Shinsuke Nakamura. Sami calls out The MFT’s for targeting all of them. Shelley says the Guns have known Sami a long time, and Sabin affirms they’ll fight together no matter what. Sami notes that The MFT’s also lit a fire under Nakamura and Fenix, then officially challenges The MFT’s to a traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match next week.
- Backstage, Rhea Ripley speaks privately with Charlotte Flair. Rhea explains that everything that happened between them was about proving who was the best, but she’s willing to put it aside for WarGames. She admits she has always respected Charlotte and has always wanted to go to war alongside her at WarGames. Charlotte responds, “Yes. Yes, you can.” Rhea replies, “Great. Then you can trust me too.” The two women shake hands.
- In a pre-taped video package, The MFT speak. Solo Sikoa congratulates Penta but declares that Penta’s time is up and his own time is now. Solo vows to make an example of Sami Zayn in next week’s match, insisting that Sami and his team don’t stand a chance. Tama Tonga agrees. Solo finishes by saying that when the smoke clears and it’s just him and Sami left, he will put Sami away for good.
- In the night’s closing segment, Rhea Ripley reveals AJ Lee as the fifth member of her team for the Women’s WarGames match at Survivor Series 2025. AJ Lee’s music (“Light It Up”) hits, and she skips toward the ring, only to be blindsided and attacked by Becky Lynch. Nia Jax, Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Lash Legend then join in to assault Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and IYO SKY. Becky officially aligns with the heel team, revealing herself as their fifth member for WarGames.
