Cody Rhodes Retains WWE Title Amid Chaos at SmackDown

The latest episode of WWE SmackDown on November 15th, 2025 was filled with high-stakes action and unexpected developments. The main event saw Cody Rhodes defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Bronson Reed of The Vision. Despite Reed's boasts about putting Rhodes down, the champion ultimately retained his title, thanks to interference from Bron Breakker and Logan Paul.

However, the night's biggest surprise came after the match, as Drew McIntyre made a shocking return from apparent "suspension." McIntyre proceeded to take out both the Usos and Cody Rhodes, leaving the champion and his associates in a state of chaos.

Elsewhere on the show, former WWE star Zack Ryder made his long-awaited return to the company. Ryder, who had found success on the independent circuit and in AEW, was revealed as LA Knight's mystery opponent in "The Last Time Is Now" tournament. Unfortunately for Ryder, he was unable to pick up the win against Knight.

The first match in the tournament to crown John Cena's final opponent saw Jey Uso defeat The Miz. Jey, who has been struggling to find his footing, now has the opportunity to be a part of Cena's last match, a significant accolade.

Overall, the November 15th, 2025 episode of WWE SmackDown set the stage for further developments heading into the upcoming Survivor Series: WarGames event.