WWE SmackDown delivered another action-packed night from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, for its November 28, 2025, episode—taped in advance to give superstars and staff a well-deserved Thanksgiving break. With high-stakes tournament matches, a memorable women’s WarGames face-off, and a shocking title celebration interruption, the blue brand continued to build momentum toward Survivor Series.
The Last Time Is Now Tournament Heats Up
The focus of this SmackDown was the ongoing Last Time Is Now tournament, a special single-elimination bracket designed to honor John Cena’s legendary career. The quarterfinals featured two major bouts:
- Jey Uso vs. Rusev: In a hard-fought contest, Jey Uso managed to outmaneuver Rusev, picking up the victory and advancing to the semifinals. Uso’s resilience and agility proved too much for Rusev, who had dominated the early portions of the match[1][5].
- LA Knight vs. The Miz: Originally scheduled to face Sheamus, LA Knight was thrown a curveball when The Miz and R-Truth argued backstage over who would take the injured Sheamus’ spot. Ultimately, The Miz stepped in, but Knight’s momentum couldn’t be stopped. LA Knight capitalized on a distraction, landing the BFT for the win[1][5].
A WWE insider backstage commented, “LA Knight is red-hot right now. Management sees him as a main-event player, and this win over The Miz is another step towards that spotlight.”
Tensions Flare: The Miz and R-Truth Backstage
Backstage, tensions ran high as The Miz and R-Truth got into a heated debate about replacing Sheamus in the tournament. Their argument not only set the stage for The Miz’s match but also hinted at potential friction between the two veterans moving forward[1].
Chelsea Green’s U.S. Title Celebration Erupts in Chaos
After capturing the United States Championship, Chelsea Green hosted a lavish in-ring celebration. However, her festivities were cut short by Jade Cargill, who stormed the ring and leveled Green with a thunderous attack. The crowd erupted as Cargill stood tall, sending a clear message that her sights are now set on championship gold[1][17].
According to sources close to Chelsea Green, “Chelsea knew Jade was lurking, but she didn’t expect the ambush to come during her big moment. This rivalry just got personal.”
Women’s WarGames Teams Collide
With Survivor Series: WarGames looming, both the babyface and heel women’s teams appeared in separate backstage segments, stoking the flames of their impending clash. The night’s WarGames Advantage Match saw Charlotte Flair and Asuka rekindle their storied rivalry in a high-stakes rematch[1][9][13][15].
- Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka: Flair and Asuka delivered a WrestleMania-worthy encounter, with Flair ultimately outlasting Asuka to secure the crucial advantage for her squad in the WarGames match. This win gives Flair’s team the critical edge going into one of WWE’s most chaotic and physically demanding encounters[1][15].
After the match, Charlotte told WWE digital, “Asuka is one of the toughest competitors I’ve ever faced. Winning the WarGames advantage is huge for my team—we’re ready for whatever comes our way.”
Survivor Series Elimination Match: Solo Sikoa Stands Alone
The main event brought a special five-on-five Survivor Series elimination match, featuring Team Sami (Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Fenix, Chris Sabin, and Alex Shelley) against The MFTs (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, and JC Mateo)[1][9][13].
- The match was a wild, back-and-forth affair with multiple eliminations on both sides. In the closing moments, Solo Sikoa found himself alone against two opponents. Drawing on his ruthless intensity, Sikoa eliminated both, becoming the sole survivor for his team and further cementing his reputation as one of SmackDown’s most dangerous rising stars[1].
One WWE producer noted, “Solo Sikoa has become a breakout star this year. His performance tonight just proved he’s a future main-eventer.”
Additional Segments and Storyline Developments
- The women’s WarGames teams continued to build tension in backstage promos, with both sides vowing victory at Survivor Series[1][17].
- Hints of a developing feud between The Miz and R-Truth were dropped, suggesting a possible grudge match in the near future[1].
- The aftermath of Jade Cargill’s attack on Chelsea Green set up a likely title showdown, with fans buzzing about their eventual collision[17].
Looking Ahead: Survivor Series and Beyond
With the Last Time Is Now tournament narrowing and Survivor Series: WarGames on the horizon, SmackDown’s storylines are reaching a fever pitch. Jey Uso and LA Knight’s victories position them as favorites to meet in the tournament finals, while Solo Sikoa’s heroics in the elimination match indicate that the next generation of WWE superstars is ready to seize the spotlight.
Fans can expect the fallout from Jade Cargill’s assault on Chelsea Green to reverberate across the women’s division, likely leading to a heated title feud in the weeks ahead.
As SmackDown heads into the Thanksgiving break, the blue brand has set the stage for an explosive December and a must-watch Survivor Series.
Key Results from WWE SmackDown, November 28, 2025:
- Jey Uso defeated Rusev (Last Time Is Now quarterfinal)
- LA Knight defeated The Miz (Last Time Is Now quarterfinal)
- Charlotte Flair defeated Asuka (WarGames Advantage Match)
- Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, and JC Mateo defeated Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Fenix, Chris Sabin, and Alex Shelley (Survivor Series Elimination Match; Solo Sikoa was the sole survivor)
- Jade Cargill attacked Chelsea Green, derailing her U.S. Title celebration
Stay tuned to WWE SmackDown for all the fallout and more twists on the road to Survivor Series: WarGames 2025.