WWE Friday Night SmackDown Results and Recap: Aleister Black Wants His Shot At Cody Rhodes (November 7, 2025)

• Ilja Dragunov def. Johnny Gargano via pinfall to retain the United States Championship
• Nia Jax def. Charlotte Flair via pinfall
• Chelsea Green def. Giulia to win the Women's United States Championship
• Tala Tonga def. Rey Fenix via pinfall
• Cody Rhodes and Aleister Black ends in a no-contest after interference from Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest

Here Are Your Key Moments From Friday Night SmackDown For November 7, 2025

• Cody Rhodes opens the show tonight in the ring to recap his match against Drew McIntyre at Saturday Night's Main Event. Rhodes says that McIntyre doesn't understand that not pulling the trigger in the past has hurt him, but he won't do that again. Rhodes says, although he's one of the toughest competitors he's ever faced, he's moving on, and wants to come out into the crowd and sit with them to watch the show so they can decide who's next. Aleister Black's music hits, and he walks to the ring with Zelina. He says that after he lit Damian Priest on fire, he also wanted something new. Black says he's got a chip on his shoulder, and it's the size of his WWE Undisputed Championship. Zelina tells him it's too bad his nightmare starts now and smacks him across the face. General Manager Nick Aldis appears and makes the match official in the main event.
• Jade Cargill makes her first entrance as the new Women's Champion, and makes a declarative statement: "I'm that b****." As she leaves the ring, Charlotte Flair makes her entrance and the two have a face off in the aisle.
• Nick Aldis draws the next two matches for John Cena's last opponent: The Miz vs. Jey Uso, and LA Knight vs. a surprise opponent to be revealed next week.
• Solo Sikoa and the MFT are seen backstage commiserating regarding Sami Zayn, Ilja Dragunov, and the Wyatt Sicks. As Tala Tonga prepares for his match against Rey Fenix, the Wyatt Sicks appear ready to attack the MFT. Erick Rowan holds them back and tells them "not yet".
• During the main event, Drew McIntyre appeared and delivered a Claymore Kick to the referee, effectively ending their match. As McIntyre and Black attacked Rhodes, Damian Priest came to the ring to assist. Aldis comes to the ring and tells Drew McIntyre that, due to his actions, he is suspended effective immediately.

Salute To Our President And Champion, Chelsea Green

Stand up and salute, ladies and gentlemen, Chelsea Green has become a two-time Women's United States Champion this evening. By defeating Giulia, albeit in some not-so-fair ways, Green is also now a double champion, also holding the AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion with NXT North American Champion Ethan Page.

The Women's United States Champion picture becomes as exciting as it was when the championship was first debuted, as Green made the most of each week of her championship run. With Zelina still in the wings for her return to WWE championship status, and Giulia undoubtedly coming back for her rematch, Green faces some stiff competition, and we're fully here for another Presidential run.

Who Will LA Knight's Opponent Be In His John Cena Tournament Match?

The next four opponents were supposed to be named tonight for the next two matches on SmackDown next week to determine who John Cena's final opponent will be. After naming LA Knight, Jey Uso, and The Miz, Aldis pulled a fast one and decided he was going to keep the fourth name a surprise until next week, adding a bit of drama to the match featuring LA Knight.

The rumor mills are sure to be abuzz this weekend with who it could possibly be, especially after Cena's comments about a potential opponent being someone who doesn't work for WWE. With eight additional contestants yet to be named, it's more than likely to be a member of the TNA or AAA roster, and as always, fans should fully temper their expectations about the idea of Adam Copeland appearing for one final match with the Greatest of All Time, as reports indicate he's still fully under AEW contract for at least the next year.

Aleister Black Belongs In The Main Event Picture Against Cody Rhodes

Since returning to the company earlier this year, Aleister Blackhas been one of the most dynamic Superstars on the SmackDown roster, and has repeatedly proven himself capable of, at the very least, some form of long-term championship program. Now with his wife, Zelina, in his corner, Black is finally spreading his wings into the main event program with Cody Rhodes.

Although tonight's main event was a non-championship match, Aleister Black brings a fresh and new spin on the main event picture, dominated heavily by the Rhodes/Drew McIntyre feud for many weeks. It seems like McIntyre will probably get one more shot at the biggest prize in sports entertainment, but Black belongs in the main event picture, too, and we hope he gets a proper title program, and soon.