SPOILERS: Jey Uso defeats Rusev to advance in John Cena's last match tournament on WWE SmackDown (November 28, 2025)

Blesson has been a part of Khel Now since 2023, he covers Combat Sports & Gaming.

Published at :November 22, 2025 at 12:56 PM

Modified at :November 22, 2025 at 12:56 PM

(Courtesy : WWE)

Next week’s WWE SmackDown was pre-taped today!

Jey Uso has taken a major step toward securing the most coveted opportunity of his career, becoming John Cena’s final-ever opponent.

In pre-taped match from the November 28 edition of SmackDown, Uso defeated Rusev in a hard-hitting quarterfinal bout to clinch his spot in the semi-finals. The victory marks only their second singles encounter, and their first ever on WWE television.

The fallout from this win pushes the “Last Time is Now” Tournament into its most intriguing phase yet. With the first round officially wrapped, the full bracket now paints a clear, tension-filled picture of the road to Cena’s last match. Eight men remain, but only one will stand across the ring from the 16-time World Champion one final time.

This year’s Thanksgiving scheduling twist meant WWE taped the November 28 SmackDown following the November 21 broadcast. The move gives performers a brief holiday breather ahead of Survivor Series weekend, while giving fans early glimpses of how the tournament is unfolding behind the scenes.

The tournament saw many big names

Penta kicked things off by defeating Finn Balor, while Carmelo Hayes advanced past Bronson Reed thanks to crafty interference from The Vision. Meanwhile, LA Knight opened the tournament with a surprise opponent in Zack Ryder. Knight is now preparing for yet another mystery challenger on November 28, due to Sheamus’ unfortunate injury, adding even more unpredictability to his side of the bracket.

Jey Uso WWE RAW — (Photo by Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)

The same half of the bracket featured Jey Uso vs Rusev, a matchup rarely seen despite years in the same locker room. Their only singles clash prior to this tournament took place earlier this year at the Tokyo Supershow, making this televised showdown feel fresh, intense, and meaningful.

Also Read: WWE SmackDown Spoilers for November 28, 2025

WWE Raw bracket heats up as Solo Sikoa and Penta collide

The Monday, November 24 edition of Raw will host the remaining quarterfinal matchups. Solo Sikoa vs Penta headlines that side, marking their first-ever one-on-one encounter after only briefly sharing ring time at Money in the Bank. It’s a collision of heavy hitters with wildly different approaches and a semifinal berth at stake.

Gunther vs. Carmelo Hayes rounds out the quarterfinals in another high-quality first-time matchup. The two previously crossed paths in January’s Royal Rumble, but a tournament setting raises the stakes, spotlighting an elite technician versus a dynamic young star hungry to shock the field.

Did WWE confirm these results?

Yes, these spoilers come from the pre-taped November 28 episode of SmackDown, recorded after the November 21 show.

When will the semifinals take place?

The semifinal matches will unfold on upcoming episodes of SmackDown and Raw leading into Survivor Series week.

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Blesson

Blesson Daniel is a sub-editor who spends his days organizing words and managing social media, crafting bursts of creativity designed to make people smile. He occasionally dives into writing as well — whether it’s crafting articles, brainstorming ideas, or finding the perfect caption. Believing that every piece of writing offers an opportunity to tell a story, Blesson brings creativity and thoughtfulness to every project he takes on. When he’s not glued to his laptop, Blesson is likely planning his next travel adventure or losing himself in music. A passionate explorer of new places, sounds, and ideas, he believes in balancing work, play, and a good playlist in the background. Whether he’s editing, writing, or daydreaming about his next trip, Blesson is always chasing that sweet spot where creativity and curiosity collide to create something memorable.