• Zack Ryder Reveals His WWE Future After Return
On last night’s episode of SmackDown, Zack Ryder returned to the WWE main roster after 5 years as LA Knight’s surprise opponent in John Cena’s Last Time Is Now tournament. Knight defeated Ryder to advance in the tournament.
NO WAY!!!
Zack Ryder is @RealLAKnight's mystery opponent 🤯 pic.twitter.com/orbLc9fxbh
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2025
Ryder tweeted the following about his return:
“I cannot express in words what last night meant to me, but if I had to try…
Don’t Quit…
Alwayz Ready…
Thank You…
WOO! WOO! WOO!”
Chelsea Green tweeted: “Hehe I knew before you knew! What a day to be Zack Ryder’s wife!”
Ryder replied: “I love you!”
In a backstage interview, Ryder revealed that this was a one-off return:
“Five years. It’s been five years since I put on Zack Ryder boots. Every single morning, the first thing I do, before I even open my damn eyes, is say, ‘How can I get back here? What do I have to do to get back here?’
I busted my a$$ for the past five years – Deathmatch King, Indy God, all for this moment. This might be a one time shot. I might get the call tomorrow. It doesn’t matter, because I’m Zack Ryder. I’m always ready, and I guess I can say this – woo, woo, woo. You know it.”
Triple H also congratulated Ryder on his return:
“You never know who might show up in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. It’s all about opportunity and @TheMattCardona proved that tonight.”
• Bronson Reed Fires Back At Brandi Rhodes After SmackDown
In the main event of last night’s SmackDown, Cody Rhodes defeated Bronson Reed via DQ to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship after Bron Breakker and Logan Paul attacked The American Nightmare.
The Usos made the save and took out Breakker and Logan. Jimmy & Jey Uso hit Logan with the 1D. They took out a table and were looking to hit Logan with a double Frog Splash through the table, but Drew McIntyre showed up and prevented that from happening.
Nick Aldis showed up and Paul Heyman reminded him that he confirmed with Aldis earlier that he can choose anyone for WarGames, so he decided to choose a suspended McIntyre. The heels took out the babyfaces to end the show.
Brandi Rhodes tweeted the following after the show:
“Usos are invited to Thanksgiving again. I wish the driest turkey on Bronson Reed and his friends.”
Reed replied:
“I’m Australian I dont celebrate that sh*t.”
