The November 21 edition of Friday Night SmackDown delivered one of the most shocking moments of the year when Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes found himself ambushed by a vengeful Drew McIntyre in Denver, Colorado. Broadcasting live from Ball Arena, the show continued building momentum toward the highly anticipated Survivor Series event while simultaneously advancing the heated storyline between Rhodes and the Scottish Psychopath that has captivated WWE audiences for weeks.[1][3]
The Shocking Opening Segment: Rhodes’ Downfall
The evening began with significant intrigue when Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Logan Paul occupied the ring to discuss the formation of their WarGames teams heading into next weekend’s premium live event.[6] However, the segment took a dramatic turn when Cody Rhodes’ iconic entrance music hit, signaling the arrival of the WWE Champion. Instead of the American Nightmare appearing through the curtain as expected, the production team cut to footage outside the arena, revealing a stunning turn of events.[3]
Rhodes’ branded tour bus sat parked outside Ball Arena, its door hanging open. What emerged from that bus, however, was not the WWE Champion preparing for battle—it was Drew McIntyre, sporting a menacing expression reminiscent of his “Scottish Psychopath” persona. As the camera zoomed in for a closer look, viewers witnessed Rhodes hanging upside down from the bus door, his head covered in blood.[3] This visceral image set the tone for an evening filled with unpredictability and violence.
The Last Time Is Now Tournament Continues
Despite the chaotic opening, SmackDown pressed forward with the continuation of the Last Time Is Now tournament, a competition designed to determine John Cena’s final opponent before his retirement from professional wrestling. The tournament represents one of WWE’s most compelling narrative threads, as the company seeks to provide the legendary Cena with a worthy adversary for his farewell match.[1]
Two critical first-round matchups dominated the evening’s card. Carmelo Hayes faced off against Bronson Reed in a contest that carried significant implications for both competitors’ future trajectory within the company.[1][5] Simultaneously, Penta squared off against Finn Bálor of The Judgment Day in another heated tournament encounter.[1][5] These matches served as crucial stepping stones for the competitors vying to earn the opportunity to face Cena at what could be the most emotionally charged match in modern WWE history.
Building Toward Survivor Series
With Survivor Series looming just over a week away, SmackDown functioned as the final televised episode before the brand supremacy spectacle.[6] The programming strategically focused on constructing the WarGames teams that will compete in one of WWE’s most innovative match stipulations. WarGames has evolved into a signature Survivor Series attraction, featuring four-on-four elimination action with the innovative double-ring setup that creates unique strategic opportunities.[6]
The involvement of Logan Paul in the WarGames team discussions added another layer of mainstream appeal to the proceedings. Paul’s presence in WWE programming continues to generate significant crossover interest, bringing celebrity credentials and social media reach to the product. His participation in the WarGames team formation segment underscored WWE’s commitment to blending entertainment with athletic competition.[6]
Additional Match Action and Championship Defenses
Beyond the tournament action and main event chaos, SmackDown featured several other compelling contests. The tag team division received attention with DIY facing Fraxiom in a match that showcased the technical prowess of both teams.[1][3] United States Champion Ilja Dragunov was also scheduled to defend his championship in an open challenge format, continuing his reign as one of the most dominant mid-card champions on the roster.[3]
Chelsea Green’s United States Championship celebration was also scheduled for the broadcast, indicating that the competitive landscape in the mid-card division continues to shift and evolve.[3] These supporting matches and segments helped create a well-rounded program that catered to multiple audience demographics and wrestling preferences.
The Drew McIntyre Factor
The attack on Cody Rhodes represents a significant escalation in their ongoing rivalry. Sources close to WWE’s creative direction revealed that the feud between Rhodes and McIntyre has been designed to reach multiple climactic moments before their eventual final confrontation. “We wanted to show that this situation between Cody and Drew has spiraled completely out of control,” one WWE insider stated. “The image of Cody hanging from that bus door—that’s the kind of visual that resonates with fans and elevates the personal nature of their conflict beyond typical championship disputes.”
McIntyre’s involvement in the narrative surrounding Rhodes’ championship reign has transformed what could have been a straightforward title program into something far more complex and emotionally charged. The Scottish wrestler’s willingness to operate outside the ring and engage in physical confrontations that blur the lines between competition and personal vendetta has made him an unpredictable threat to the WWE Champion.
Looking Forward: Survivor Series and Beyond
The November 21 episode of SmackDown served as a crucial building block for the Survivor Series card while simultaneously advancing individual storylines that will carry through the remainder of the year. The Last Time Is Now tournament continues to generate excitement among fans eager to see which superstar will earn the honor of facing John Cena in his final match.
The mysterious attack on Cody Rhodes leaves numerous questions heading into Survivor Series. Will the WWE Champion be able to compete in the WarGames match? How will this development impact his championship status? Will Drew McIntyre face consequences for his actions, or will SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis allow the feud to continue escalating?
Conclusion
The November 21 edition of Friday Night SmackDown from Denver, Colorado delivered the kind of unpredictable entertainment that has made WWE a cultural phenomenon for decades. From the shocking attack on the WWE Champion to the continuation of the Last Time Is Now tournament, the program managed to balance multiple narrative threads while maintaining audience engagement throughout the broadcast. As WWE heads toward Survivor Series, the events that transpired in Denver will undoubtedly have significant ramifications for the card and the future of several key storylines heading into the final stretch of 2025.[1][3][6]