WWE SmackDown delivered an electrifying show on November 14, 2025, live from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York, just one week out from Survivor Series. The night was anchored by first-round matches in the highly anticipated “Last Time Is Now” Tournament, designed to determine John Cena’s final opponent before his anticipated retirement match. Alongside tournament action, WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill returned to the ring, putting the SmackDown Women’s Division on high alert.
“Last Time Is Now” Tournament Heats Up
The tournament to crown Cena’s last challenger intensified with two pivotal first-round bouts. Jey Uso clashed head-to-head with The Miz in a hard-fought matchup that showcased both competitors’ wrestling savvy and storytelling prowess. Amid a dramatic back-and-forth, Uso pushed through to secure a critical victory, inching closer to the coveted title shot after Survivor Series.
In a surprising segment, LA Knight faced a mystery opponent whose identity WWE is keeping under wraps, adding extra intrigue to this tournament’s storyline. Knight’s performance was as charismatic and intense as ever, further elevating his status as a top contender within SmackDown’s mid-card landscape[1][2][4].
According to a WWE insider, “The ‘Last Time Is Now’ Tournament is not just about Cena’s run wrapping up; it’s designed to build fresh rivalries and elevate new stars ahead of one of WWE’s biggest events.”
Jade Cargill Dominates in Women’s Division Return
Jade Cargill, fresh off capturing the WWE Women’s Championship, marked her first televised match as champion against B-Fab in a commanding non-title match. Cargill’s dominant victory sent a powerful message to the entire division, underscoring her reign’s intensity and establishing her as a figure no one on SmackDown’s women’s roster can ignore.
B-Fab, who had been on hiatus since a loss alongside her Michin stablemate Giulia and Kiana James, returned with determination but ultimately could not overcome Jade’s overwhelming power and skill. This encounter further stoked tensions within the women’s division, foreshadowing potential future clashes leading up to Survivor Series[2][3][5].
Rising Tensions: Sami Zayn vs. The Bloodline
The night deepened with Sami Zayn making a prominent appearance to address ongoing hostilities with the Bloodline faction. Following a recent violent altercation where Talla Tonga of the MFT faction dominated Rey Fenix and nearly inflicted a brutal chokeslam repeatedly until Zayn intervened with a chair, Zayn vowed to stand against the Bloodline’s dominance.
Sami’s verbal challenge added layers to the faction war narrative simmering on SmackDown. Sources close to the storyline suggest that the tension between Zayn and the Bloodline is set for a crescendo at Survivor Series, potentially culminating in a high-stakes match or pivotal confrontation[2][5].
Special Moments and Survivor Series Build-Up
The show also revisited ongoing storylines involving SmackDown’s Women’s Tag Team Championship picture, including heated exchanges between Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Kairi Sane, and Asuka. This segment served to maintain fan interest in the tag team division as Survivor Series approaches.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves provided expert commentary throughout the evening, highlighting the atmosphere in the MVP Arena with over 8,000 in attendance, boosting the live energy and engagement on USA Network.
SmackDown continued to set the stage for Survivor Series with open challenges for the United States Championship, drawing the attention of the mid-card and upper mid-card talent aiming to make their mark before one of WWE’s premier events.
Backstage Insights: The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever
According to a WWE backstage source, “Talent knows that Survivor Series is a defining moment this year, especially with John Cena’s farewell looming. Everyone on SmackDown is raising their game — you can feel the electricity backstage as new stars and veterans alike push each other to their limits.”
This sentiment was echoed by several roster members who expressed enthusiasm about the tournament’s role in reshaping the brand hierarchy.
What’s Next?
The outcomes from November 14’s SmackDown have set a clear trajectory heading into Survivor Series. The “Last Time Is Now” tournament will continue to peel back layers on who will ultimately face John Cena in what is expected to be one of WWE’s most memorable matches in recent memory. Jade Cargill’s reign is gaining momentum as the women’s division recalibrates around her championship dominance.
Fans can expect Survivor Series to deliver not just traditional brand competition, but also hard-fought battles emerging from SmackDown’s newly intensified rivalries and tournament storyline threads.
This episode of SmackDown was a compelling prelude to one of WWE’s biggest events of the year, blending high-stakes tournament matches, championship momentum shifts, and faction warfare — all fuel for weeks of captivating storytelling ahead.