The November 7, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown, held at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, ended in unprecedented chaos after a main event featuring Cody Rhodes and Aleister Black dissolved into disorder, leading WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis to suspend Drew McIntyre on the spot. This shocking development has set the stage for significant fallout in the weeks ahead.
Main Event Delivers High Drama Before Chaos Erupts
The night’s highly anticipated main event pitted Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes against the enigmatic Aleister Black in a match filled with intense back-and-forth action and near finishes. Cody Rhodes demonstrated why he carries the “American Nightmare” mantle, landing his signature move, the Cody Cutter, while Aleister Black countered with his usual lethal precision. What seemed to be a competitive, hard-hitting contest quickly spiraled into turmoil as Drew McIntyre unexpectedly stormed the ring[1][2].
Drew McIntyre’s Outburst Sparks Suspension
Drew McIntyre, also known as “The Scottish Psychopath,” has been involved in tensions on SmackDown recently, but his actions during this episode crossed a line. As Rhodes and Black battled, McIntyre launched a violent attack, incapacitating multiple wrestlers and officials in his path. The chaos peaked with McIntyre aggressively interfering in the main event, forcing the match to end without a definitive victor.
Nick Aldis, who has maintained a firm but fair approach as SmackDown’s GM, had witnessed enough. In a sternly worded in-ring segment immediately following the mayhem, Aldis publicly suspended McIntyre from WWE SmackDown for his reckless behavior. This marked a rare instance of an on-air suspension directly issued by the show’s authority figure to conclude the broadcast[1][3].
A source close to WWE revealed backstage, “Nick Aldis felt the situation demanded swift and severe action to restore order. Drew’s unpredictability had been building, and the incident in Greenville was the final straw.” They added that this suspension could be a pivotal storyline catalyst or a temporary cooling-off period for McIntyre[1].
Implications for Drew McIntyre and WWE Storylines
Drew McIntyre’s suspension raises several questions regarding his immediate future on SmackDown and WWE programming as a whole. Known for his resilience and popularity, McIntyre’s absence could shift the balance within SmackDown’s upper card feuds, particularly those involving Rhodes and other top stars like Aleister Black.
Potential storylines may explore McIntyre’s response to his punishment — whether he accepts it, fights to overturn the decision, or retaliates behind the scenes. Wrestling insiders suggest WWE creative might use this angle to deepen McIntyre’s character complexity or to inject fresh energy into rivalries with Rhodes and Black[3].
Other Highlights from WWE SmackDown November 7 Episode
Aside from the tumultuous main event, WWE SmackDown featured several other notable matches and segments:
Charlotte Flair squared off against Nia Jax in a physical contest, backed ringside by Alexa Bliss. Flair’s performance was praised for intensity and storytelling[2].
Ilja Dragunov retained the United States Championship with a commanding victory in an open challenge, defeating Johnny Gargano by executing a superplex and power fist combination[2].
Jade Cargill, the new WWE Women’s Champion, issued a brief but impactful promo before being interrupted by women’s tag team champions Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, signaling potential rivalries on the horizon[2].
The Miz cut a passionate backstage promo, confidently declaring he would win the “The Last Time Is Now” tournament and ultimately face the legendary John Cena in what he called “the final-ever match” between them[1].
The Road Ahead: What to Watch for Next on SmackDown
With Nick Aldis’ decision to suspend Drew McIntyre, WWE is setting the stage for compelling television in upcoming weeks. Fans will be eager to see how McIntyre responds, whether he accepts his situation or escalates tensions further. Meanwhile, the unresolved conflict between Cody Rhodes and Aleister Black remains a key storyline that could culminate at a major pay-per-view event.
As a backstage source noted, “This suspension isn’t just punishment — it’s an opportunity for Drew to reinvent himself. WWE has big plans, and this could be part of a larger narrative arc that shocks fans once more.”
SmackDown’s chaotic closing moments have injected a renewed sense of unpredictability into the brand, leaving viewers anticipating the fallout and future twists that only WWE can deliver.
This episode of SmackDown demonstrated once again WWE’s willingness to blend in-ring action with dramatic storytelling, making Nick Aldis’ suspension of Drew McIntyre a pivotal moment that may resonate throughout WWE programming for months to come.