Full Breakdown
WWE SmackDown Highlights: November 7, 2025
11/8/2025, 1:26:45 PM
Key Events and Title Changes
The November 7, 2025 episode of WWE SmackDown, held at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, featured significant developments, including title changes and escalating rivalries. Notably, Chelsea Green became the first woman to win the Women's United States Championship twice, defeating Giulia with a controversial roll-up aided by interference from Alba Fyre. Ilja Dragunov successfully defended his United States Championship against Johnny Gargano, while Jade Cargill made a strong statement as the new WWE Women's Champion after defeating Tiffany Stratton.
Main Event Chaos
The main event saw Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes face Aleister Black in a non-title match. The bout ended in a no contest when Drew McIntyre interfered, delivering a Claymore Kick to the referee, which led to a chaotic brawl involving Damian Priest. Following the incident, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis suspended McIntyre for his actions, marking a significant consequence for the Scottish Warrior's ongoing feud with Rhodes.
Rising Tensions and New Alliances
Jade Cargill's return to a heel persona was highlighted by her aggressive promo, where she declared, “I’m still that b****,” putting the women's roster on notice. Cargill's confrontation with Charlotte Flair hints at a future clash between the two. Meanwhile, Nia Jax, aided by newcomer Lash Legend, defeated Flair in a match that showcased the growing tensions within the women's division. The post-match chaos included an attack by the Kabuki Warriors on Flair and Alexa Bliss, suggesting a brewing rivalry among the women.
Tournament Announcements
Nick Aldis announced participants for the "Last Time is Now" tournament, which will culminate in a match against John Cena during his farewell tour. The tournament will feature notable names such as The Miz, Jey Uso, and L.A. Knight, with further participants to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Official Statements & Responses
Cody Rhodes expressed his desire for new challenges following his victory over McIntyre at Saturday Night's Main Event, stating, “Drew has no one to blame for his loss but himself.” He emphasized the need to move forward, which was interrupted by Aleister Black's challenge. Aldis's decision to suspend McIntyre was a direct response to the chaos he caused, reflecting the management's stance on maintaining order.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics noted that Chelsea Green's quick victory over Giulia did not showcase the latter's potential, raising concerns about the handling of her character. Additionally, some fans expressed disappointment over the abrupt end to the Rhodes vs. Black match, feeling it undermined the build-up.
What's Next
The fallout from this episode will continue as WWE heads toward Survivor Series, with anticipated matches and rivalries developing. The next SmackDown will further reveal participants in the tournament and set the stage for upcoming confrontations, particularly between Cargill and Flair, as well as the ongoing issues involving McIntyre and Rhodes.
