The blue brand delivered a high‑stakes edition from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, where two titles were on the line, a major star was suspended, and the looming farewell arc of John Cena gained fresh momentum with new tournament matches. Let’s dive into what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next.

Here are the full results

• Ilja Dragunov (c) def. Johnny Gargano to retain the Men’s U.S. Championship. Dragunov answered Gargano’s challenge after bypassing Tommaso Ciampa, landed a superplex and an H‑Bomb to secure the win.  
• Nia Jax def. Charlotte Flair – Jax picked up a big win over “The Queen” after interference from Lash Legend distracted Alexa Bliss, enabling Jax to hit the Annihilator for the pin.  
• Chelsea Green def. Giulia (c) to win the Women’s U.S. Championship. In a surprise result, Green capitalised on a ringside distraction between Kiana James & Alba Fyre, rolled up Giulia (with feet on ropes) and became a two‑time Women’s U.S. Champion.  
• Talla Tonga def. Rey Fénix – Tonga overpowered Fénix in what the commentary framed as a “David vs. Goliath” match; post‑match Sami Zayn made the save from the MFT’s attack.  
• Cody Rhodes vs. Aleister Black ended in a No Contest. The match was thrown out after Drew McIntyre intervened, delivered a Claymore Kick to the referee, then teamed with Black to beat down Rhodes. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis then came out and suspended McIntyre from SmackDown for his actions.  
• Tournament Announcement Segment – Nick Aldis conducted a draw for the 16‑man “Last Time Is Now” tournament (which will determine John Cena’s final opponent). Two new first‑round matches were officially announced: The Miz vs. Jey Uso, and LA Knight vs. a mystery opponent.  

Key Moments & Storyline Implications

Dragunov’s U.S. Title Reign Continues

Dragunov’s retention over Gargano marks his third consecutive successful defence of the U.S. Title, which reinforces his positioning as a dominant mid‑card champion building toward main‑event-level credibility. By sidestepping Ciampa’s challenge and choosing Gargano, Dragunov continues to dictate his own challengers — a hallmark of a rising presenter. 

Gargano’s near‑miss and LeRae’s interference leave open the possibility of further friction with Ciampa and a layered feud. It also sends a message: the U.S. title on SmackDown remains a platform for serious performers, not secondary billing.

Green’s Unexpected Title Win Signals Shift

Chelsea Green’s victory over Giulia came out of nowhere — the distraction scenario and roll‑up finish give her win a controversial edge, which opens several doors: a rematch with Giulia, challengers calling her out for the tainted win, and new feuds brewing. At the same time, it elevates Green’s status — now a two‑time Women’s U.S. Champion and carrying double‑champ credentials (given her other tag titles) according to her profile. 

From a business/TV storytelling perspective, the sudden title change injects unpredictability into the women’s mid‑card on SmackDown and readies fresh angles heading into the year‑end.

McIntyre Suspension: Major Creative Move

Drew McIntyre’s suspension represents a major pivot in the Rhodes vs. McIntyre narrative. Rather than executing a standard heel run, the angle escalated when McIntyre attacked an official, forcing management to step in and suspend him. This accomplishes several things:

• Protects McIntyre while giving Rhodes a narrative respite
• Adds personal fire to the Rhodes/Black/Aldis storyline
• Opens possibilities for McIntyre returning with a splash down the line (for example, at a pay‑per‑view)
  It also signals WWE’s willingness to blur the in‑ring and authority figure lines on SmackDown.  

Tournament Momentum Builds

The “Last Time Is Now” tournament — which will determine Cena’s final opponent — remains a key anchor story for the remainder of 2025. The addition of established names (The Miz, Jey Uso) and the mystery opponent for LA Knight builds intrigue and viewer interest. These announcements help make every week’s SmackDown feel relevant to Cena’s send‑off, which is an intelligent use of TV real estate for something that could otherwise feel peripheral. 

Other Notes

• Nia Jax picking up the win over Charlotte raises Jax’s stock. The Lash Legend interference suggests a potential new alliance or stable forming on SmackDown’s women’s division.
• Tonga’s win over Fénix might seem minor, but it’s part of the wider brand integration (NXT call‑ups, MFT presence) and underscores SmackDown’s deeper roster storytelling.
• Jade Cargill’s appearance (though not in a match) and her “I’m that bitch!” line position her as a looming threat in the women’s title scene.  

What to Watch for Next Week

• Tournament First Round – With the bracket now populated in part, how WWE books the first‑round matches (Miz vs. Jey; LA Knight vs. mystery) will set tone for the tournament’s prestige.
• Giulia vs. Green Rematch or Fallout – Whether Giulia gets immediate rematch rights, how Green handles the controversial win, and how other challengers react will be key.
• McIntyre’s Return – Since McIntyre is suspended, when and how he returns (and under what condition) will drive a large part of the Rhodes/Black arc.
• Women’s Division Developments – With Cargill making statements and Jax aligning with Legend, the division is shifting; tag titles and singles titles could move quickly into new territories.
• Mid‑Card Title Dynamics – Dragunov’s reign remains a dominant narrative; who challenges him next, and how the U.S. Title is defended/positioned, will matter for SmackDown’s overall feel.

Final Thought

Last night’s SmackDown successfully blended high‑stakes results with long‑term storytelling. Title changes, authority figure drama, tournament seeding and brand‑depth matches combined to deliver an episode that felt meaningful and consequential — not just filler. With Cena’s swan‑song tour in motion, SmackDown has positioned itself as a crucial weekly stop in that journey.

The show didn’t simply serve as “just another Friday” — it moved multiple storylines forward, teased big reveals, and opened new paths for several stars. That’s the kind of programming that maintains momentum and viewer investment heading into the winter months of marquee events and Cena’s final chapter.

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