– Tonight’s SmackDown kicked off with Nick Aldis telling Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes that he received a notice from Drew McIntyre’s lawyer about unsafe work environment. Cody came to the ring and vowed to kick Drew’s a$$. NXT Champion Oba Femi then came out. Oba said Cody is worried about the wrong man. Oba said the future is now and “your time is up, my time is now.” Cody said he’s glad Oba also looks up to John Cena, but he beat Cena for the WWE Title. Cody was leaving, but Oba stopped him and raised the NXT Title up. Cody raised his title up as well and they had a final face-off before their match tomorrow.
– WWE revealed that the name of Aleister Black and Zelina’s team is “Necessary Evil.”
– Fraxiom told Ilja Dragunov that they’ll have his back if #DIY try to pull something during tonight’s U.S. Title open challenge.
– Ilja Dragunov (c) def. Tommaso Ciampa to retain the United States Championship
Johnny Gargano distracted the referee and Candice LeRae attacked Ilja behind the referee’s back, but Dragunov (who was busted open) still managed to win. Gargano and Ciampa attacked Ilja after the match, which led to Carmelo Hayes making the save.
– NXT star Je’Von Evans was being interviewed by Cathy Kelley and The Miz interrupted. Miz isn’t happy about a kid, who wasn’t even born when John Cena debuted, getting to have a match on Saturday Night’s Main Event tomorrow. Je’Von called him “Unc Miz” and Miz said: “Don’t call me Unc. I’m not your Unc.” Je’Von challenged Miz to a match tonight and Miz accepted.
– Wyatts Sicks came to the ring. Uncle Howdy said Solo Sikoa’s family turned on him and if Solo thinks he runs SmackDown, he can try to come and take the WWE Tag Team Titles right now. Solo appeared on the titantron with My Family Tree and said he’s going to do it on his time – next week.
– Charlotte Flair motivated Alexa Bliss and made plans to regain the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Rhea Ripley showed up and had a problem with that.
– Lash Legend def. Alexa Bliss
Charlotte Flair superkicked Nia Jax during the match at ringside, but Lash took out Charlotte with a big boot to the face.
– Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Snoop Dogg, Jelly Rolly, and Jimmy Fallon congratulated John Cena on his retirement in video messages.
– Zelina told Cathy Kelley that it didn’t have to be like this. Aleister Black said Damian Priest wants to drag his friends to hell – so be it.
– WWE confirmed the rumored big change: SmackDown is going back to a three-hour format starting January 2, 2026.
– Je’Von Evans def. The Miz
– Nia Jax and Lash Legend confronted Rhea Ripley. Rhea said she’s a problem that they don’t want to have. Damian Priest said he wants the same energy from Rhea in their match tonight. WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill showed up, had a face-off with Rhea and left. This was seen as a tease for WrestleMania 42, especially with the multiple women’s WrestleMania promos airing.
– Michin said she will give Jade Cargill everything that she’s got. Jade then attacked Michin and came out to the ring. Jade said that’s what happens when women don’t know their place in the back. Michin came out with a kendo stick and attacked Cargill. Jade laid out Michin with a chokeslam and said: “I’m that b*tch.”
– The Terror Twins (Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley) def. Necessary Evil (Aleister Black and Zelina)
Also Read: Top AEW Star Doesn’t Care About John Cena’s Retirement
