WWE SmackDown Preview - November 21, 2025: Cena’s Countdown Continues—Two More Spots Up for Grabs in ‘The Last Time is Now’ Tournament

Denver becomes the center of the WWE universe tonight as the road to Survivor Series: WarGames and John Cena’s retirement weekend heats up.

We’re just eight days away from John Cena’s second-to-last match — a rare Intercontinental Title defense against Dominik Mysterio. After that? One final ride in Washington D.C. at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where the “Last Time is Now” Tournament winner gets the honor (and pressure) of being Cena’s last opponent ever.

Six men have already punched their quarterfinal tickets. Tonight, SmackDown closes out the opening round with two massive cross-brand battles live from Denver’s Ball Arena.

How to Watch WWE SmackDown

Time: 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT
Channel: USA Network
Location: Ball Arena — Denver, Colorado

Officially Announced Card

• The Last Time is Now Tournament (Opening Round): Finn Balor vs. Penta
• The Last Time is Now Tournament (Opening Round): Carmelo Hayes vs. Bronson Reed
• Fraxiom vs. #DIY
• Chelsea Green’s Women’s U.S. Championship Celebration

Finn Balor vs. Penta — Opening Round Match

Hard to believe, but Finn Balor and John Cena have only ever met once in singles action — an Elimination Chamber qualifier back in 2018. Cena won that night, and he pinned Balor again this week on Raw in six-man action.

Now the Prince has a shot at redemption and at the biggest payday of his career: retiring the GOAT.

But Penta is not stepping into SmackDown for a cameo. Red Brand or Blue Brand, he thrives when the stakes rise — and this might be the most unpredictable tournament bout so far.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Bronson Reed — Opening Round Match

Bronson Reed shook the entire industry when he dethroned Roman Reigns in an Australian Street Fight at Crown Jewel. That momentum has made one thing very real:
 Bronson Reed could retire John Cena.

But Carmelo Hayes is done being overshadowed. No Miz. No distractions. No excuses. Melo wants the spotlight for himself, and he’s fired up to prove he’s not just “HIM” — he’s a future WrestleMania headliner.

This is a classic collision: the heavyweight juggernaut vs. a once-in-a-generation athlete.

Fraxiom vs. #DIY

Weeks of frustration have pushed Tommaso Ciampa past his breaking point. Everyone in this match — Axiom, Frazer, Gargano — has gotten a United States Title shot except him.

Ciampa reached his limit last Friday when he laid out Axiom, sparking a chaotic brawl. Tonight, #DIY and Fraxiom get round two, and Ciampa enters this one with pure fury on his side.

Chelsea Green’s U.S. Championship Inauguration

Two weeks ago, Chelsea Green made “herstory” as the first-ever two-time Women’s United States Champion, and she has demanded an inauguration fit for royalty — pyros included.

She even sent General Manager Nick Aldis a warning on X… and knowing Chelsea, she won’t stop until she gets a coronation worthy of reality-TV drama.

Will Ilja Dragunov Issue an Open Challenge?

The United States Champion has been on a tear since returning from injury. While no challenge has been officially announced, Dragunov has vowed to defend the title with honor — unless he’s dealing with “jackasses” like Ciampa.

Don’t be shocked if Dragunov steps up tonight to complete his weekly ritual of violence.

Also Advertised

• WWE Champion Cody Rhodes
• Tiffany Stratton

Segments for both are being kept under wraps as of this afternoon, but don’t expect either superstar to stay quiet with Survivor Series chaos looming.

🗣️Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

Tonight feels like the most important SmackDown of the entire tournament round. Finn Balor vs. Penta is the kind of match that hardcore fans have been waiting years to see under WWE lighting, and Reed vs. Melo has major “upset potential” written all over it.

The wild card is Ilja Dragunov. A surprise open challenge — especially in front of a fired-up Denver crowd — could easily steal the show.

Chelsea Green’s inauguration? Expect over-the-top ridiculousness and at least one meltdown if Aldis doesn’t deliver the fireworks she wants. Good TV either way.

The Cena countdown continues… and these matchups are about to decide who lives in the history books forever.

#WWENews #WWESmackDown