Imagine the shock of a last-minute twist threatening to sabotage the greatest wrestler's final chapter—now, that's the drama WWE fans lived through on Friday's SmackDown! Dive into the electrifying highlights from the episode that set the stage for Survivor Series, packed with surprises, rivalries, and a classic elimination showdown that had everyone talking. But here's where it gets controversial: was replacing a key player in the tournament a stroke of genius or a letdown for die-hard fans craving bigger shocks? Let's break it all down, step by step, so even newcomers to the WWE universe can follow along easily.
SmackDown delivered a throwback moment with its main event—a traditional Survivor Series elimination tag team match—right before the big Survivor Series event on Saturday (streaming on ESPN Unlimited at 7 p.m. ET). Unlike this year's Survivor Series, which focuses on two intense WarGames bouts without the usual tag eliminations, this Friday showdown felt like a nostalgic nod to the past. And I'm genuinely thankful for it—more on why that matters in a bit.
The show also unveiled LA Knight's unexpected challenger in the "The Last Time Is Now" tournament, after Sheamus had to bow out due to a shoulder injury. Plus, we got another tournament clash, and to cap it off, Charlotte Flair squared off against Asuka to determine the edge for their upcoming WarGames encounter on Saturday.
Friday's SmackDown Results:
- Jey Uso triumphed over Rusev in the "The Last Time Is Now" tournament.
- LA Knight overcame The Miz in the "The Last Time Is Now" tournament.
- Charlotte Flair secured the win against Asuka.
- The MFTs (Mighty Fine Truth, featuring Solo Sikoa as the standout) defeated Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Fenix, and The Motor City Machine Guns in a 5-on-5 traditional Survivor Series elimination match.
Why Solo Sikoa's Victory Felt Like the Perfect Fit
Picture this: the arena erupts as Solo Sikoa stands tall as the sole survivor, pinning Sami Zayn to cap off a wild 5-on-5 elimination brawl. It just clicked—Sikoa, still competing in the "The Last Time Is Now" tournament, needed this momentum-boosting win ahead of his Raw match on Monday. This keeps him in the hunt to face John Cena one last time on December 13. Plus, it let him settle some scores with Zayn, temporarily shelving their heated feud. But hold on, this is the part most people miss: the Wyatt Sicks crashing the party post-match injected real tension, hinting at looming chaos. Could the Wyatts (or MFTs) derail Sikoa's tournament run on Raw? For beginners, think of it like a chess game where every move builds toward a grand finale—Sikoa's win wasn't just a pin; it was a strategic power play in WWE's ongoing storylines.
Other Key Takeaways and Building Plots
- Charlotte Flair's victory over Asuka tipped the scales for her WarGames team on Saturday, granting a numerical edge. To clarify for those new to this, WarGames is a brutal cage match where teams enter gradually: it kicks off one-on-one, then every five minutes, a teammate joins until all five are in, turning it into an all-out war. Flair's side will always have the upper hand as members alternate in. Yet, I suspect Becky Lynch and AJ Lee will steal the spotlight, with Lynch possibly pinning Lee to pave the way for their potential singles showdown—or even a series, maybe peaking at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas? It's these layered rivalries that make WarGames so gripping.
The Miz sliding into the "The Last Time Is Now" tournament to replace Sheamus might have ruffled some feathers among fans hoping for a blockbuster reveal, but it holds water. After all, The Miz shocked the world by beating John Cena at WrestleMania 27 in 2011, and their shared history is deep. The Miz probably dreamed of ending Cena's legacy on a sour note, though it didn't pan out since he lost to LA Knight. Personally, I'm rooting for Gunther to take the crown. And this is where controversy brews—could there be a twist beyond the tournament winner before Cena's final foe is revealed? Some fans argue it's overcomplicated, while others see it as genius storytelling. What do you think—does WWE risk overstretching these narratives?
Chelsea Green turned what could have been a mundane North American Championship celebration segment into gold, despite the interruptions. As she hyped up the pyro display, Jade Cargill stormed in for an ambush, leaving Green scrambling. The fireworks went off with Cargill striking a pose, and Green's spot-on reactions stole the show. For context, Green's a master at selling emotions—her shocked, hilarious recovery was both logical and entertaining, enhancing her standout character. It's a prime example of how WWE uses these moments to build hype without needing much setup.
Hosting the Survivor Series-style match on SmackDown was a smart call. Survivor Series, as a concept, sometimes falls flat among WWE's top events because it lacks the unique thrill of rarer spectacles. We see multi-person tag and elimination bouts all year, so slapping the Survivor Series name on them doesn't always make them feel epic. On the flip side, WarGames shines as an annual rarity, much like the Elimination Chamber or Royal Rumble, keeping that sense of exclusivity and buzz. Sure, it doesn't carry the same high-stakes pressure as the Rumble (where the victor earns a WrestleMania title shot) or the Chamber (often involving championships), but the potential for future escalations is exciting. That said, I'm hooked enough this year to tune in for Saturday's WarGames clashes—it's a reminder of how WWE balances tradition with innovation.
WWE's world is full of these heated debates: from tournament swaps to match stakes, every decision sparks opinions. Do you agree that Solo Sikoa's win was a no-brainer, or should the Wyatts have been punished sooner? Is the Miz's entry a cop-out, or a clever nod to history? And is WarGames truly superior to traditional Survivor Series bouts, or are we romanticizing the new over the old? Share your thoughts in the comments—let's discuss and maybe even debate who's the real MVP of this episode!
