I love the old saying “you have to read the fine print” in pro wrestling contracts. On Friday’s “SmackDown”, Paul Heyman stressed the War Games contract with General Manager Nick Aldis states that the agreement states he can choose any member of the WWE roster across all brands to fill out Team Vision. (The brand part was actually a red herring for the big reveal at the end of the show.)
So when the suspended Drew McIntyre showed up at the end of “SmackDown” to align himself with Heyman and The Vision, it made sense. Aldis couldn’t do anything about it. From a storyline perspective I also liked that Heyman helped convince Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to give Bronson Reed a title match. What I didn’t like was that the match became the vehicle for storytelling tonight because it ended up taking a back seat, which it shouldn’t have.
friday smackdown results
• Jay Uso def. The Miz
• Ilja Dragunov def. Axiom to retain the United States Championship
• LA Knight def. Zack Ryder in the “Last Time Is Now” Tournament
• Z Kargil def. B-Fab in a non-title match
• Cody Rhodes def. Bronson Reed retained the Undisputed WWE Championship by DQ
Survivor Series: War Games is taking shape
,@haymanhustle Is there something…@RealNickAldis someone said 🤷@DMcIntyreWWE pic.twitter.com/1DGijysDz0
– WWE (@WWE) 15 November 2025
The match between Rhodes and Reed for the Undisputed WWE Championship seemed hastily arranged, both in the segment (Rhodes demanded a match from Aldis after being harassed by Reed and Heyman backstage) and also in the plot points. It felt like this match wasn’t important for the championship, but ultimately, the title was secondary to the chaos that followed. Vision battled The Usos and Rhodes until McIntyre, who was suspended the previous week, returned and massacred. It looks like Reed, Braun Breaker, Logan Paul and McIntyre are the four guys left to fill one side, while Rhodes, Jimmy and Jey Uso and CM Punk are on the other. The fifth member of each side will be revealed over the next two weeks, leading into the Survivor Series: War Games match. For now, I’m leaning towards straight up villains, as the titles won’t be in the queue. Let them get an important win for future title matches.
Other takeaways/storylines
it is @RealLAKnighttime of?@RealLAKnight Just advanced in the Last Time Is Now Tournament!! pic.twitter.com/e8oF2pngwA
– WWE (@WWE) 15 November 2025
• Welcome back, Zack Ryder (aka Matt Cardona). He had a great performance against LA Knight in the “Last Time Is Now” tournament – this is to be expected as he is a talented veteran and the current king of the independent scene. The rider was looking very nice. Only time will tell if this could be seen as a full-time return to WWE for Ryder, but either way, it’s not hard to find him as he is… “Always Ready”.
He’s out?!@MsCharlotteWWE just left @RheaRipley_WWEAnd @Iyo_SkyWWE High and dry before the WarGames… pic.twitter.com/wOvf1uIq4z
– WWE (@WWE) 15 November 2025
• Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky were in the ring discussing their upcoming Survivor Series: War Games match and Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were invited to the ring. But then things took a left turn. Flair addressed Ripley, saying that she thinks Ripley is a snake and can’t be trusted (and Ripley probably thinks the same about her), and therefore, she can’t team with her. I liked Flair addressing his past beef with Ripley. Sometimes when teams like this are put together, we forget about it and focus on the present, but I appreciate being a part of the Survivor Series story. The Flair-Ripley rivalry wasn’t resolved on Friday, but I hope it happens before the match and Flair rejoins the team (in an overly enthusiastic voice) before the War Games.
• I’m not a fan of Tommaso Ciampa not getting a United States Title match because he’s “an idiot”, which appears to be the only reason champion Ilja Dragunov doesn’t want to face him. Other wrestlers in the same situation as Ciampa would have punched Dragunov in the face, making the match, but didn’t take it and left. One possible outcome could be this being dragged out for a few more weeks before becoming a throwaway title match on “SmackDown” that will never be brought up again. I wouldn’t mind Ciampa getting the United States title, but Dragunov is too hot right now.
,@Axiom_WWE Was removing all the obstacles 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/VspATbScgm
– WWE (@WWE) 15 November 2025
• Dragunov vs. Axiom for the United States Championship was incredible. This was another example of the overwhelming success of the open challenge. At one time, the Intercontinental Championship was known as a “worker title”, worn by the best technical wrestlers or the most exciting competitors in the ring such as Randy Savage, Mr. Perfect, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, etc. That label can now be said about the United States Championship.
let’s go!!!@SamiZayn Medically cleared and has backup 👊 pic.twitter.com/7xRV0oVtb5
– WWE (@WWE) 15 November 2025
• Sami Zayn has been medically cleared to compete, and his in-ring promo, which was interrupted by Solo Sequoia and MFT, is leading to a traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match on “SmackDown” on November 28, as Rey Fenix, AJ Styles and the Motor City Machine Guns also get in on the action.
Who’s next?! @Jade_Cargill Giving notice to everyone 😤 pic.twitter.com/1zMz4x7SPo
– WWE (@WWE) 15 November 2025
• Jade Cargill destroyed B-Fab in exactly the type of match you want to see heel Jade Cargill in. Complete destruction, dominant and powerful, cocky pin, full of confidence. This is what will propel Cargill into megastardom.
