Friday night’s SmackDown felt like a pressure cooker one, where power, momentum, and looming WarGames stakes collided in a potent mix. The November 21 episode didn’t just move pieces on the board; it painted a portrait of where things are going, and more importantly, where the show might be stalling. Here are the standout hits and the noticeable misses.
HITS
1. Cody’s Brutal Opening: The Reign May Be Fragile
SmackDown kicked off with a harsh reminder: Cody Rhodes, despite being the Undisputed WWE Champion, isn’t untouchable. The opening segment brought violence and vulnerability. Drew McIntyre attacked Cody backstage, echoing earlier brutalities and reinforcing that this isn’t just a feud, but a war. It’s the kind of electric storytelling that suggests Cody’s reign might be on borrowed time, and for many, that’s exactly what the show needs. There’s momentum here. There’s urgency. And with Survivor Series: WarGames around the corner, the question looms: When not if, will Cody’s time at the top end?
2. Ilja Dragunov vs. JD McDonagh: A Violent Masterclass
Dragunov’s open challenge is becoming more than just a gimmick; it’s destination television. Against JD McDonagh, he delivered a savage, unyielding performance. McDonagh brought heart, counters, and intensity, but Dragunov’s raw brutality stole the show. The suplexes, the headbutts, every strike felt earned, every moment visceral. When Dragunov landed the H-bomb for the finish, it wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. The U.S. Title feels more meaningful when held by someone who bleeds for every inch.
3. Carmelo Hayes Rising: A Turning Point vs. Bronson Reed
Carmelo Hayes may have quietly flown under the radar for too long, but this week, he forced himself into the spotlight. Facing Bronson Reed in the first round of The Last Time Is Now tournament, Hayes didn’t just scrape by; he claimed a count-out win, aided by Cody’s outside interference. The finish was creative, yes, but what really resonated was Hayes’ expression: this felt deeply personal, and genuinely earned. For someone who’s been perceived as stuck in limbo, this moment could be the spark of a true breakout.
4. Tag Team Showdown: DIY vs. Fraxiom Delivers
On a night full of high stakes and big names, DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) and Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) quietly stole a chunk of the spotlight with their tag team match. DIY brought experience, strategy, and cohesion. Fraxiom brought chaos, energy, and unpredictability. The contrast was compelling, and the match delivered on both athleticism and storytelling. It’s the kind of tag bout that reminds you why tag wrestling still matters on SmackDown.
5. Penta vs. Finn Balor: A Solid, Understated Fight
Finn Balor may not have gone for his Demon persona, but that didn’t stop the match from being compelling. Against Penta, a wild, high-risk opponent, Balor showed poise, athleticism, and grit. Penta, for his part, brought his signature explosiveness and delivered a Mexican Destroyer for the win. There were no over-the-top theatrics, just solid wrestling: a reminder that SmackDown can still find power in the fundamentals.
MISSES
1. The Absence of the Street Profits
If there was a glaring omission from this SmackDown, it was the Street Profits. Their absence feels not just strange, but creatively wasteful. Once a staple, they’ve vanished from TV without much explanation. The roster lacks some of their infectious energy, and for a brand that thrives on charisma and connection, that’s a real loss. Fans expect them in big moments; their silence right now leaves a hole.
2. Mixed Messaging Around Cody’s Direction
While Cody’s assault opened the show with intensity, it also raised a narrative inconsistency. Is the plan to dethrone him decisively, or to keep him on top only to further torture him? There’s no doubt the story is heating up, but without clarity, the constant beatdowns risk becoming repetitive rather than meaningful. If WWE doesn’t commit to a direction, either a definitive loss or a redemption arc, Cody’s character may stagnate in this brutal limbo.
3. Booking Interference in Hayes’ Win
Carmelo Hayes’ win was a high point, but it didn’t come purely. The interference from Cody Rhodes cast a shadow over the victory. While it made narrative sense, giving Hayes help while also protecting Reed, it undercut the purity of the win. As Hayes grows, he’ll need to prove he can win on his own merit, not as a beneficiary of outside intervention.
4. Underused Violence Potential on WarGames Build
Given that Survivor Series: WarGames is nearing, there’s a serious opportunity for brutality, chaos, and blood, yet SmackDown has so far played things relatively safe. The show teases violence (like Drew’s backstage attack), but it rarely delivers on the hardcore potential that WarGames demands. If the build continues this cautiously, the payoff risks feeling muted.
5. A Lack of Big Moment Payoff
Yes, there were important matches and storyline developments, but for a “go-home” SmackDown (with WarGames looming), some moments felt more like setup than payoff. There’s urgency, but it’s being spread across too many threads, and not every thread is getting enough weight. Without a truly standout segment beyond the expected violence, the show risks fading into the undercard of its own big stories.
Final Thoughts
WWE SmackDown on November 21 delivered in many ways: physical matches, emotional stakes, and character progression. Dragunov proved again why his open challenge deserves more spotlight, Carmelo Hayes may be on the cusp of a real breakthrough, and DIY reminded us of the beauty of tag wrestling. But there are underlying issues, too, missing characters, unclear direction, and an under-baked WarGames buildup.
