Tonight, WWE Friday Night SmackDown rolls into the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, with the blue brand staring down a historic crossroads. Just days removed from Survivor Series: WarGames, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes must reckon with a bruising night where his team fell short inside the double cage, even as he still stands atop the mountain. At the same time, John Cena’s farewell tour has reached its most pivotal stop: the finals of The Last Time Is Now Tournament. LA Knight and Gunther — two of the most dominant and beloved forces of this era — meet one-on-one with the right to become Cena’s final opponent at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 hanging in the balance.
SmackDown isn’t just about the tournament, though. Ilja Dragunov is throwing the door wide open with a United States Championship Open Challenge. WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill is stepping into non-title action against Secret Hervice’s Alba Fyre, and Alexa Bliss tries to rebuild momentum against Women’s Tag Team Champion Kairi Sane. Add in Cody Rhodes’ first appearance since the chaos of WarGames and Solo Sikoa’s promised response to last week’s shocking Wyatt Sicks attack, and tonight’s show feels like the night where the next chapter of WWE’s winter season truly begins.
Here is everything advertised for tonight’s show
- The Last Time Is Now Tournament Final:
LA Knight vs. Gunther – Winner faces John Cena in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13. - United States Championship Open Challenge:
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. TBA - Non-Title Women’s Match:
WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill vs. Alba Fyre - Singles Match:
Alexa Bliss vs. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Kairi Sane - Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes Segment:
Cody appears to address what’s next after Survivor Series: WarGames. - Solo Sikoa Promo:
Solo responds to the Wyatt Sicks’ chilling attack last week.
The Last Time Is Now Tournament Final: LA Knight vs. Gunther
The centerpiece of tonight’s broadcast is the culmination of John Cena’s farewell tournament — a 16-man bracket designed to determine his final opponent. The tournament has featured a surprising mix of current WWE stars, international veterans, and two notable outside names in Zack Ryder and Dolph Ziggler.
LA Knight reaches the finals riding massive fan momentum, having defeated Zack Ryder in the opening round, The Miz in the quarterfinals, and Jey Uso in a dramatic Raw semifinal. Each win has reinforced Knight’s narrative: a late-career surge transforming him from cult favorite into a true main-event player.
Gunther, meanwhile, has cut a violent path through the bracket. He defeated Je’Von Evans, then pushed Carmelo Hayes to the limit before overwhelming Solo Sikoa in a bruising semifinal. His march to the finals has reminded the wrestling world why he is one of the most dominant in-ring forces of the modern era.
Tonight’s final isn’t about titles — it’s about legacy. One man will secure the honor of facing John Cena in his final WWE match. For Knight, it would be the biggest win of his career. For Gunther, it would be another defining chapter in his already historic run.
Cody Rhodes faces life after WarGames
At Survivor Series: WarGames, Cody Rhodes led his team into battle only to come up short inside the unforgiving double cage. WWE’s preview emphasizes that tonight is about discovering “what’s next” for the Undisputed Champion.
Cody’s alliances, rivals, and next title challenger all feel unsettled after WarGames. Tonight gives Rhodes the platform to reset, regroup, and refocus as WWE heads toward the December specials and the early rumblings of WrestleMania season. Expect clarity — or even new chaos — when Rhodes steps onto the SmackDown stage.
Ilja Dragunov’s United States Championship Open Challenge
Ilja Dragunov continues to redefine the U.S. Championship through unrelenting toughness and a willingness to fight anyone. WWE’s preview frames tonight’s title defense as a wide-open mystery, with Dragunov inviting any challenger brave enough to face him.
Open challenges have created breakout stars before, and Dragunov’s punishing style guarantees that whoever answers the call will leave Austin battered. Whether it’s a rising SmackDown star, a returning name, or a cross-brand surprise, this match has the potential to steal the show.
Jade Cargill vs. Alba Fyre: Champion tests rising faction
WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill will step into a non-title match against Alba Fyre of Chelsea Green’s Secret Hervice. Even without the championship on the line, this match carries significant implications.
For Cargill, a strong performance keeps her momentum rolling as challengers stack up. For Fyre, a victory would create a clear path for her — or her faction — to challenge for the title. Expect outside involvement and a clash of raw power versus crafty aerial offense.
Alexa Bliss vs. Kairi Sane: A route back to contention
Alexa Bliss is looking to get herself and Charlotte Flair back into tag title contention. A win over half of the reigning champions, Kairi Sane, would go a long way toward securing that opportunity.
Sane, however, must protect her team’s championship standing while proving that the Kabuki Warriors remain the standard-bearers of WWE’s tag division. This match offers both women a chance to set the tone for December.
Solo Sikoa responds to the Wyatt Sicks
The Wyatt Sicks’ haunting presence loomed large last week, and tonight Solo Sikoa is set to respond. His journey from Bloodline enforcer to standalone destroyer has taken another dark turn, and the Wyatt Sicks represent a threat unlike anything he has faced.
How Solo chooses to confront them — with defiance, violence, or unsettling alignment — could shape SmackDown’s biggest storyline heading into 2026.
The Last Time Is Now Tournament – Full Results by Round
First Round
- Jey Uso def. The Miz
- Rusev def. Damian Priest
- Sheamus def. Shinsuke Nakamura
- LA Knight def. Zack Ryder
- Penta def. Finn Bálor
- Solo Sikoa def. Dolph Ziggler
- Gunther def. Je’Von Evans
- Carmelo Hayes def. Bronson Reed
Quarterfinals
- Solo Sikoa def. Penta
- Gunther def. Carmelo Hayes
- Jey Uso def. Rusev
- LA Knight def. The Miz
Note: Sheamus advanced but was medically removed due to injury, prompting WWE to adjust the advancing positions.
Semifinals (Held on Raw)
- LA Knight def. Jey Uso
- Gunther def. Solo Sikoa
Final – Tonight on SmackDown
LA Knight vs. Gunther
Winner faces John Cena in his final WWE match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13.
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