WWE’s “The Last Time Is Now” Tournament Quarterfinals Take Shape Ahead of Cena’s Farewell
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The November 21 episode of WWE SmackDown dramatically advanced the “The Last Time Is Now” tournament, solidifying the quarterfinal matchups as the promotion builds toward John Cena’s final professional wrestling match. Friday night’s action saw two competitors earn their places in the next round, offering fans a clearer picture of the path to a climactic showdown.
Hayes Advances After Rhodes Interference
Carmelo Hayes secured his spot in the quarterfinals following a controversial victory over Bronson Reed. The match concluded with a countout win for Hayes, but the outcome was heavily influenced by the unexpected involvement of Cody Rhodes. According to reports from ringside, Rhodes – visibly impacted by a prior attack from The Vision leading up to War Games – intervened, attacking Reed and ultimately preventing him from re-entering the ring before the referee’s ten count.
“Rhodes attacked Reed without hesitation, slamming him into the steel post before dropping him with the Cross Rhodes on the floor,” one observer noted. The interference left Reed incapacitated, handing Hayes the win and a coveted place in the tournament’s next phase.
Penta Secures Victory Over Balor
Later in the evening, Penta earned his own advancement, defeating Finn Balor in a hard-fought contest. The turning point came when Penta connected with his signature move, the Mexican Destroyer, decisively ending the bout and securing his quarterfinal berth.
Updated Tournament Brackets Revealed
Following the matches, WWE officials released the updated tournament brackets, outlining the path to face Cena in his final match on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C.
The bracket now looks as follows:
- Quarterfinal 1: Jey Uso vs. Rusev
- Semifinal 1: Winner of Uso/Rusev vs. Winner of LA Knight vs. a yet-to-be-revealed mystery opponent. Originally, Sheamus was slated to compete against LA Knight, but a shoulder injury has forced his withdrawal from the tournament.
- Quarterfinal 2: Penta vs. Finn Balor
- Semifinal 2: Winner of Penta/Balor vs. either Solo Sikoa or Carmelo Hayes.
Each remaining match carries significant weight, as the ultimate tournament winner will have the honor of facing John Cena in what is being billed as his final in-ring performance. The stakes are high, and the road to December 13 is shaping up to be a thrilling ride for WWE fans.
