WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (December 5, 2025): Gunther submits LA Knight to win tournament finals; Cody Rhodes vs NXT Champion announced for SNME & more
(Courtesy : WWE.com)
Nia Jax & Lash Legend attack; Ilja Dragunov retains & more!
The December 5 episode of Friday Night SmackDown served as the fallout show for the 2025 edition of Survivor Series. The fallout show emanated live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
Multiple WWE stars, including Cody Rhodes, Tiffany Stratton, Randy Orton, Charlotte Flair, Drew McIntyre, and Sami Zayn, among others, were advertised for the show. The show featured the finals of the tournament to decide John Cena’s final opponent.
Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winners’ list for the 12/5 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
Cody Rhodes attacks Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre drove into the arena in his truck just as GM Nick Aldis arrived with security, reminding Drew he was still suspended. McIntyre tried to protest, but Aldis told him to get back in his car and leave. Drew got back in his car, but Cody Rhodes was inside and jumped him. Security rushed in to pull them apart. McIntyre drove off while security dragged Cody out, with Cody then walking toward the stage to kick off the show.
Rhodes picked up a mic and demanded that Nick Aldis reinstate Drew McIntyre. He explained that Drew had broken an unwritten rule by attacking him inside his bus, where his wife slept, and his kids played. Cody called McIntyre WWE’s resident cockroach.
Cody said what happened moments earlier would only continue, whether in a parking lot, in a church, at Drew’s home, along the California coast, or across Texas. He reminded everyone that McIntyre had never even beaten him, yet was somehow the one man who managed to break him. Rhodes once again pleaded with Aldis to bring Drew back so he could do what anyone does when they see a cockroach: stomp it out.
Grade: B
Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Rhodes, showcasing the rage and being the aggressor this time, makes for a good build for what looks like another title showdown between the two.
- Backstage, Tommaso Ciampa said he planned to secure a United States Championship match. Gargano added that once Ciampa took care of that, they’d shift their focus back to the tag titles. Carmelo Hayes walked in and told Ciampa he’d have to wait his turn because he was next in line. Melo then leaned over to read Gargano’s shirt, which warned people not to call his friend a jackass, and called him one anyway. Candice LeRae pointed out that the shirt literally said “don’t,” as Hayes walked off.
- Damian Priest delivered a promo, insisting he couldn’t be broken and wasn’t delusional, saying Black burning his face only slowed down what was bound to happen anyway. Priest added that since Black involved his wife, Zelina Vega, he was bringing Rhea Ripley into the fight. Rhea then stepped in and said Black’s real mistake was thinking he could provoke Priest without her showing up. She added that Zelina hadn’t rattled Priest at all; she’d simply signed her own death warrant and then announced a mixed tag match for next week.
US Title open challenge: Ilja Dragunov vs Carmelo Hayes
After a week off last week, Ilja Dragunov’s United States title open challenge continued this week, which was answered by Carmelo Hayes. Both men, who are familiar with each other from their time in NXT, went right to action as the bell rang.
In the final moments of the match, Hayes planted Ilja with a DDT on the apron and went up top, but tripped him on the top rope while the ref was checking on Ilja. This allowed Ilja to deliver the Torpedo Moscow, followed by the H-bomb to pin Hayes and retain the title. After the match, Ilja watched the replay and seethed with anger at Ciampa while the official checked on Hayes.
Winner & Still: Ilja Dragunov
Grade: B+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Charlotte Flair, who explained that she had joined War Games to support Alexa Bliss, but the match ended up bringing them closer. Alexa added that War Games had been good for Charlotte’s social skills, said they were all proud of her, and noted that now their focus was returning to the tag titles.
- Cathy Kelley interviewed LA Knight, asking what a win that night would mean for him. Knight said that if he beat John Cena, he would cement his legacy. He then hyped up his clash with Gunther, noting that while Gunther was a former IC and World Champion, he was an unstoppable force.
Alexa Bliss vs Kairi Sane
After the attack last week, Alexa Bliss and Kairi Sane stepped into the ring to battle in singles competition, while Charlotte Flair and Asuka kept a close eye on the action in their respective corner. Unfortunately for Bliss in the early going, Asuka managed to cause multiple distractions, helping Sane to take over.
Once Bliss got going, Asuka again stepped on the apron to cause a distraction, but this time, Flair was ready as she took out Asuka. Sane climbed to the top rope for the Insane Elbow, but Alexa intercepted her and delivered the Sister Abigail DDT to pin Sane and secure the win.
Lash Legend and Nia Jax came in from behind, attacking Bliss and Flair and taking both women out before turning their attention to Kairi Sane. Asuka ran in to make the save but took a powerbomb from Jax. Sane then joined the fray, trying to control Jax, but the numbers game overwhelmed her.
Legend then set up Sane for the Annihilator from Jax, but Asuka dragged Sane out of the ring to save her while Legend and Jax flaunted the Women’s Tag Team titles, signaling that they were now theirs.
Winner: Alexa Bliss
Grade: C+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Before the match, during a promo to hype the show, Michael Cole confirmed that a Countdown Show would stream on YouTube for John Cena’s final SNME, beginning about two hours before the main show.
- Backstage, Nick Aldis brought Cody Rhodes into his office, with Ricky Saints and Oba Femi already present. Cody revealed that whichever one of them won at NXT Deadline would face him on Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Jade Cargill vs Alba Fyre
The bell rang as Chelsea Green continued to mouth off at Cargill while standing on the apron. Fyre took advantage of Cargill’s distraction and gained control early in the match. Green landed a cheap shot while the referee was distracted. Kiana James tapped Green on the shoulder, and when Green turned, Giulia attacked her.
Giulia continued to beat down Green on the entrance ramp as James looked on. Fyre was distracted by the brawl at ringside, allowing Cargill to hit a massive boot, followed by the Jaded, to pin Fyre and secure an easy victory.
Winner: Jade Cargill
Grade: D
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Backstage, Nia Jax and Lash Legend addressed their attack on Charlotte, Alexa, Asuka, and Kairi, saying it was only a taste of what they were capable of and declaring that they were coming after the Women’s Tag Team Titles.
- Fraxiom told GM Nick Aldis they wanted a match against #DIY. Ilja Dragunov then walked in and said he wanted a match with Ciampa. Aldis made both matches official for next week. Dragunov told DIY they could take whatever remained of Ciampa. Ilja and Tama Tonga stared each other down until Solo Sikoa arrived, ordering Tama to back off as he and the rest of MFT made their way toward the ring.
- Jade Cargill ran into B-FAB backstage. She claimed history repeated itself whenever women in the locker room disrespected her, pointing to what she had done to Alba Fyre. A kendo stick appeared in frame, held by “Michin” Mia Yim. Jade called her a lapdog, while Mia insisted it was just friendship, something Cargill clearly didn’t understand. They exchanged words over who would go to Nick Aldis to request a match.
Solo Sikoa & The MFT
Solo, along with the MFTs (Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Talla Tonga & JC Mateo), stepped into the ring. Solo stated that, as announced, they had taken down Sami Zayn. “SOLO SUCKS” chants erupted as Sikoa addressed the Wyatt Sicks, mentioning he had been watching Uncle Howdy as well, before introducing himself.
Solo declared that it was his ring, his show, and that these were his Family Tree, while the Wyatt Sicks only had one thing that belonged to them: the Tag Team titles. Sikoa warned that Howdy had hurt him, and now his family was going to hurt him. Solo then pointed to the sky, stating that everything that had belonged to Bray Wyatt was now theirs and would eventually become his.
Sikoa added that Howdy didn’t deserve the Wyatt name and vowed to take it away, because he could, simply by choosing to “BO-LIEVE.” The MFTs then stepped out of the ring while Solo continued to mouth off into the camera. The Wyatt Sicks glitch appeared, and the Wyatt Sicks appeared on the apron. Solo turned to face Uncle Howdy, only to see the MFTs now on the apron behind him.
Howdy attacked Solo as both factions entered the ring, and the brawl began. Talla Tonga and Erick Rowan remained in the ring, facing off as the two powerhouses exchanged blows. Rowan eventually drove Talla out of the ring, leaving the factions to face each other while the Wyatt Sicks stood tall inside the ring, and Solo wisely retreated.
Grade: B
Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Backstage, The Miz complained to Nick Aldis about not being John Cena’s final opponent or even the focus of SNME. Aldis reminded him that he wasn’t even on the show, and then pointed out that he knows about the rigging of the draw. Bayley arrived to talk about her own appearance on SNME, prompting Miz to storm off. Aldis introduced her opponent for the show, Sol Ruca. Bayley noted that the main roster was a completely different level, and Sol insisted she was ready. Bayley replied that she would see for herself when she watches NXT Deadline the following night.
LA Knight vs Gunther – The Last Time is Now Tournament finals match
In the main event of the show, with a lot of time to work, LA Knight and Gunther locked horns in the finals of the tournament to decide John Cena’s final opponent. The main event turned out to be another great performance by Gunther, with Knight matching his pace and intensity, delivering one of his finest works.
Despite multiple reports confirming Gunther facing Cena at SNME, the match kept everyone hooked and uncertain as to who was going to win the match. Knight managed to hit the BFT, but Gunther got his foot on the bottom rope to break the count at two.
Gunther began wearing down Knight with elbows before locking in a sleeper as Knight struggled, but Knight got back to his feet and tried to lift Gunther, who delivered vicious elbows, sending Knight back to the mat to lock in a submission, hyperextending his injured neck. Knight couldn’t escape and tapped out.
Winner: Gunther
Grade: A
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Gunther has never lost a non-title one-on-one match, noted Michael Cole during commentary.
- John Cena vs Gunther is now official for Cena’s final WWE match at SNME next Saturday.
- Before the match, Aleister Black delivered a promo, describing Damian Priest as tragic, a man struggling to stay afloat. Black said they had left Damian a perfect monster, and now Rhea Ripley was involved. Zelina Vega called Ripley a succubus who lured people with the family they once had, claiming that version of Judgment Day was over and that she would leave Priest in the same sad state she found him. Black concluded by saying that if Priest wanted an inferno, then, like Virgil guiding Dante, he would lead him through it.
WWE SmackDown Results 12/5
- Cody Rhodes attacked Drew McIntyre
- US Title open challenge: Ilja Dragunov pinned Carmelo Hayes
- Alexa Bliss defeated Kairi Sane
- Nia Jax & Lash Legend attacked Charlexa & the Kabuki Warriors
- Jade Cargill pinned Alba Fyre
- The MFTs & Wyatt Sicks brawled after Solo Sikoa’s promo
- Gunther defeated LA Knight – The Last Time is Now Tournament finals match
Who won in the main event of WWE SmackDown tonight?
Gunther defeated LA Knight in the Last Time is Now Tournament finals match to secure his spot against John Cena in the latter’s WWE retirement match next Saturday at SNME.
When and where will the upcoming edition of SNME take place?
The December 13 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event is set to emanate from the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.
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