The December 5 edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown, broadcast live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, was a night of high stakes and tournament finals. The central focus was The Last Time is Now tournament final, where the winner would secure a monumental opportunity: a match against the legendary John Cena in what is billed as his final bout.
Tournament Final Crowns John Cena's Final Opponent
The main event of the evening featured the climactic final of The Last Time is Now tournament, pitting LA Knight against Gunther. Both superstars understood the historic prize at stake and held nothing back, delivering a fiercely competitive and back-and-forth contest that captivated the Austin audience. The match's intensity even sparked a "This is Awesome" chant from the crowd.
In the decisive final moments, Gunther managed to trap LA Knight in a series of punishing submission holds. Despite a valiant struggle, Knight was ultimately forced to tap out, awarding the victory to The Ring General. With this win, Gunther officially earned the right to face John Cena in what is promoted as Cena's farewell match, setting up a colossal showdown.
Chaos and Championships on a Packed SmackDown Card
The action-packed show began with immediate drama as the suspended Drew McIntyre attempted to enter the arena. General Manager Nick Aldis promptly ordered him to leave. As McIntyre was exiting, he was ambushed by Cody Rhodes, leading to a brawl that required official intervention. Rhodes later demanded Aldis lift McIntyre's suspension.
In the opening match, Ilja Dragunov successfully defended his WWE United States Championship against Carmelo Hayes in a thrilling encounter. The match's outcome, however, was influenced by outside interference, as Tommaso Ciampa attacked Hayes, allowing Dragunov to capitalize and secure the win with his H-bomb finisher.
Women's Division Showcases and NXT Threats Emerge
The women's division was well-represented with a singles match between Kairi Sane and Alexa Bliss, each having their partners—Asuka and Charlotte Flair, respectively—at ringside. After Flair took out Asuka at ringside, Bliss countered Sane's Insane Elbow attempt into a Sister Abigail DDT for the pinfall victory. Their celebration was short-lived, as they were attacked by the reigning Women's Tag Team Champions, Nia Jax and Lash.
Elsewhere, WWE Women's Champion Jade Cargill scored a victory over Alba Fyre, who was accompanied by Chelsea Green. The match saw a distraction when NXT stars Giulia and Kiana James confronted Green at ringside. This momentary lapse allowed Cargill to defeat Fyre with her Jaded finisher.
Setting the Stage for WWE's Future
This edition of SmackDown was significant not only for determining John Cena's final opponent but also for continuing to build bridges with the NXT brand. The appearances and confrontations involving NXT talent like Giulia and Kiana James, alongside the established main roster stars, set the scene for upcoming inter-brand competitions at events like WWE Saturday Night's Main Event. The night in Austin successfully blended high-stakes tournament action, championship defenses, and storyline progression, keeping fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter, especially the highly anticipated final chapter of John Cena's in-ring career against the dominant Gunther.
