LA Knight Defeats Jack Ryder in The Last Time is Now Tournament, Silences His Return to Friday Night SmackDown

The latest match of the “The Last Time is Now” tournament saw the return of Jack Ryder to WWE in-ring competition after more than five years. He will, however, be willing to erase the memory of his return as he lost the match to LA Knight, who now advances in the tournament. He now joins Jey Uso, Sheamus, and Rusev in the second round of the tournament.

LA Knight stepped inside the ring to face his mystery opponent, whose name was revealed a few minutes before the match started. Formerly known as Matt Cardona, Jack Ryder entered the ring and received a great reception from the crowd inside the building. The crowd found its voice the moment he stepped inside the ring.

NO WAY!!!

Zack Ryder is @RealLAKnight's mystery opponent 🤯 pic.twitter.com/pMR3E03CYu
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2025

“You Might See Me Real Soon, Yeah” LA Knight Sends Strong Message to John Cena

Jack Ryder initially dictated the terms of the match and dominated LA Knight. The crowd too loved it as the energy of the arena was palpable, splitting between the resounding LA Knight YEAH! and their beloved “Woo Woo Woo”. The high-octane, fast-paced affair proved that Jack Ryder’s return to WWE is a good decision. He put The Megastar on the back foot initially.

This match is high stakes!

Zack Ryder and @RealLAKnight are doing WHATEVER it takes 💪 pic.twitter.com/JVGMCV66qy
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2025

LA Knight was, however, looking for an opening, and he got it when he countered Jack Ryder’s move from the third rope into a Powerbomb. He followed it up with a Blunt Force Trauma to secure victory over his opponent to advance to the second round of the tournament. LA Knight weathered the initial storm to regain control, and once he got it, he never let it go.

Is it @RealLAKnight's time? 🤔@RealLAKnight just advanced in the Last Time is Now Tournament!! pic.twitter.com/e8oF2pngwA
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2025

LA Knight then had a message for John Cena as he stated, “You can’t see me, we can put your fingers down, and you might see me real soon, yeah!.” LA Knight’s entry to the second round further intensifies the competition ahead.

The Gatekeeper to @JohnCena is here.

C U soon. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/WKQs6ZzT1L
— LA Knight (@RealLAKnight) November 15, 2025

Image Credit: WWE.com

Friday Night SmacDown

Jack RYder

John Cena

LA Knight

Nottingham Forest have struggled to progress beyond this stage. The last three times they were at this stage

The Last Time is Now Tournament

WWE

WWE SmackDown

Ashish Negi

nfl

wrestling

I am Ashish Negi, and I work as a WWE and NFL writer at The Playoffs. I have 5 years of experience in content writing, and I have written in different domains like Real Estate, but I found my love while writing in sports. I love watching sports and have been a fan of WWE and cricket. I got an opportunity to write full-time on WWE and NFL here, so following the footstep of my hero John Cena, I turn heel on my last company