SmackDown opened with a video recapping the events of Survivor Series before we got the usual shots of people walking backstage. Nick Aldis was shown telling Drew McIntyre he was still suspended and ordered him to leave, but Cody Rhodes attacked him in his truck.

WWE Friday Night Smackdown airs on Friday nights at 8 p.m. There are several ways to watch with a free live stream. Friday, Dec. 5 will serve as the 49th episode of Season 27, and it will air on USA.

If you can’t watch Smackdown on USA Network today at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central) on cable, or you are locked out by the FuboTV dispute, you can utilize a free trial from DIRECTV, which is also offering $40 off your first month.

SmackDown is taking place from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas tonight. As was already announced, the show will feature the Last Time is Now tournament finals between Gunther and LA Knight. Appearances by Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa have now been added to the card, along with two women’s division matches and a United States title open challenge.

According to a new report ahead of "WWE SmackDown," multiple top "WWE NXT" stars are backstage at the show.

Read here for the full and detailed preview along with match card, timings and telecast details for the December 5, 2025 episode of WWE SmackDown.

During Dragunov’s title match against Carmelo Hayes on Friday, Ciampa interfered and cost Hayes the match. Frustrated by the controversial title retention, Dragunov later appeared in a backstage segment and requested that General Manager Nick Aldis put him against Ciampa in a championship match

The December 5, edition of WWE SmackDown will feature the fallout from Survivor Series WarGames. The show ended with Team Vision defeating Roman Reigns, The Usos, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes in the Men's WarGames Match.