WWE Friday Night SmackDown returns with a packed episode featuring multiple championship matches and significant developments in ongoing storylines. UK fans will need to prepare for a late night as the action unfolds on Netflix in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Late Night Viewing Details for UK Audience
The November 8 episode of Friday Night SmackDown begins at 1am GMT on Netflix, with on-demand replays available shortly after the live broadcast concludes. This continues the pattern of late-night viewing for British wrestling enthusiasts since WWE's move to the streaming platform.
Championship Double Header Headlines Card
Two major title matches dominate tonight's scheduled action. In the women's division, Chelsea Green challenges Giulia for the WWE Women's United States Championship. Green, the inaugural champion, has strategically manipulated both Giulia and Kiana James to earn this opportunity after losing the title earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Ilja Dragunov issues his third consecutive United States Championship open challenge. The 'Mad Dragon' has established himself as a fighting champion since winning the title from Sami Zayn on October 17, with recent successful defences against Aleister Black and Nathan Frazer. The open challenge format promises potential surprises and guaranteed intense action.
Additional Grudge Matches and Storyline Developments
Charlotte Flair faces Nia Jax in a heated singles match stemming from recent tag team turmoil. Jax seeks revenge after Flair's interference cost her a match against Alexa Bliss, with the dominant competitor aiming to exploit the fragile partnership between the current Women's Tag Team Champions.
Another significant bout features Rey Fenix taking on Talla Tonga in their ongoing conflict with Solo Sikoa's dominant MFT faction. Fenix showed incredible courage last week by publicly challenging and slapping the group's largest member, setting up this clash between high-flying agility and raw power.
Following his controversial victory over Drew McIntyre at Saturday Night's Main Event, WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes is scheduled to appear. McIntyre had previously characterised Rhodes as wrestling's equivalent of Homelander - a hero who doesn't recognise his own villainous tendencies - before falling to a title belt shot while the referee was incapacitated.
John Cena's 'Last Time Is Now' Tournament Explained
Perhaps the most significant long-term development involves John Cena's announced 'Last Time Is Now' tournament, which will determine his final opponent scheduled for December 13's Saturday Night Main Event.
The 16-man, single-elimination bracket will run across Raw, SmackDown and NXT, with Cena emphasising he wants his final opponent to be "hard-earned, not hand-picked." Four Raw superstars have already been confirmed for first-round matches in Cena's hometown of Boston on November 10, featuring Rusev versus Damian Priest and Sheamus taking on Shinsuke Nakamura.
Intriguingly, Cena has indicated participants could include wrestlers who "don't even work here", fueling speculation about potential surprise entrants given recent absences of notable names like Chris Jericho and Adam Copeland from AEW programming.
With championship implications, personal grudges, and tournament announcements, tonight's SmackDown represents must-see programming for British WWE fans willing to burn the midnight oil.
