I really like the old “you gotta read the fine print” line in pro wrestling contracts. On Friday's SmackDown, Paul Heyman emphasized to general manager Nick Aldis, who had the WarGames contract in hand, that the deal stated that he could choose any member of the WWE roster from all brands to fill Team Vision (the brand part was actually a red herring for the big reveal at the end of the show).
So when a suspended Drew McIntyre showed up at the end of SmackDown to join Heyman and The Vision, it made sense. Aldis couldn't do anything about it. From a storyline standpoint, I even liked that Heyman helped talk undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes into giving Bronson Reed a title match. What I didn't like was how the match became a storytelling device tonight because it ended up taking a backseat to something it shouldn't have.
Friday SmackDown Results
• Jey Uso, defense. Miz
• Ilya Dragunov def. Axiom will retain the US championship
• L.A. Knight def. Zack Ryder at the Last Time Now tournament
• Jade Cargill def. B-Fab in a non-title match
• Cody Rhodes def. Bronson Reed received a disqualification to retain his WWE Undisputed Championship title
Survivor Series: War Games takes shape
.@HeymanHustle makes sense…@RealNickAldis said NOBODY 🤷@DMcIntyreWWE pic.twitter.com/1DGijysDz0
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2025
The match between Rhodes and Reed for the Undisputed Championship seemed rushed, both in storyline (Rhodes demanded a match with Aldis after Reed and Heyman got on his nerves backstage) and storyline. It felt like a match that wasn't necessarily for the championship, but ultimately the title was secondary to all the pandemonium that followed. Vision battled Uso and Rhodes until McIntyre, who had been suspended last week, returned and caused carnage. It looks like Reed, Bron Breaker, Logan Paul and McIntyre make up the foursome with one left to fill, with Rhodes, Jimmy, Jey Uso and CM Punk lining up on the other side. The next two weeks will feature the fifth entrant on each side, leading up to the Survivor Series: War Games match. Right now I'm leaning towards standing villains because there won't be any titles on the line. May they get an important win ahead of future title matches.
Other conclusions/storylines
This @RealLAKnightis it time? 🤔@RealLAKnight just advanced in the Last Time is Now tournament!! pic.twitter.com/e8oF2pngwA
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2025
• Welcome back, Zack Ryder (aka Matt Cardona). He had a great performance against L.A. Knight at Last Time Is Now, which is to be expected since he is a talented veteran and the current king of the independent scene. Ryder looked great, and only time will tell if this will lead to a full-fledged return for Ryder to WWE, but either way, he's not hard to find because he's… “Always Ready.”
SHE WENT OUT?! 😳@MsCharlotteWWE just left @RheaRipley_WWEAnd @And_SkyWWE high and dry in front of WarGames… pic.twitter.com/wOvf1uIq4z
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2025
• Rhea Ripley and Ayo Sky were at ringside discussing the upcoming Survivor Series: War Games match, while Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were invited to the ring. But then things took a turn for the worse. Flair turned to Ripley, saying that they thought each other were snakes and couldn't be trusted, so she couldn't team up with Ripley. I liked how Flair discussed her past fight with Ripley; sometimes when teams like this come together we just tend to forget about it and focus on the present, but I appreciate that it becomes part of the storyline leading up to Survivor Series. The Flair/Ripley rivalry didn't get resolved on Friday, but I expect it to happen before the match and for Charlotte to return to the team ahead of the (overenthusiastic) WAR GAMES.
• I'm not a fan of Tomasso Ciampa not being able to play in the US title match because he's a “jerk” and that seems to be the only reason champion Ilya Dragunov doesn't want to face him. Other wrestlers in the same situation as Ciampa would have punched Dragunov in the face, leading to the match, rather than take it and leave. The likely outcome is that this chatter drags on for a few more weeks before it turns into a one-off SmackDown title match that will never be seen again. I wouldn't mind Ciampa challenging for the US title, but Dragunov is too hot right now.
.@Axiom_WWE did everything possible 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/VspATbScgm
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2025
• Dragunov vs. Axiom at the US Championship was incredible. Another example of how an open challenge is a huge success. The Intercontinental Championship was once known as a “working title” worn by the best technical wrestlers or the brightest in-ring performers such as Randy Savage, Mr. Perfect, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, etc. Now this label can be said of the United States Championship as well.
LET'S GO!!!@SamiZane is medically cleared AND has a backup 👊 pic.twitter.com/7xRV0oVtb5
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2025
• Sami Zayn is medically cleared to compete and his in-ring promo, which was interrupted by Solo Sikoa and MFT, appears to be leading directly into Survivor Series: War Games as Rey Fenix, AJ Styles and the Motor City Machine Guns are also in action.
WHO'S NEXT?! @Jade_Cargill warns everyone 😤 pic.twitter.com/1zMz4x7SPo
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2025
• Jade Cargill destroyed B-Fab in exactly the kind of match you want to see heel Jade Cargill in. Total destruction, dominance and power, a sassy pin that exudes confidence. This is what will propel Cargill even further into megastardom.
