On the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Brock Lesnar stunned viewers and shook the WWE world by launching a savage attack on retired star and commentator Corey Graves. Known for his explosive bouts, Lesnar, a three-time Universal Champion, carried out a rare and brutal double F5 on Graves, who does not typically take high-risk moves inside the ring. This shocking moment unfolded live on the blue brand, leaving officials rushing to the scene as tensions ran high ahead of Lesnar’s upcoming match against John Cena at Wrestlepalooza in Indiana.
The intensity of this attack has drawn attention due to Graves’ long absence from physical wrestling, making the assault on the commentary table both unexpected and unsettling. Lesnar’s actions disrupted the broadcast, forcing commentator Michael Cole to retreat while medical staff intervened. The segment left fans and industry insiders wondering if this was a move to reignite Graves’ involvement or to increase animosity towards Lesnar in the lead-up to his major showdown.
Why Brock Lesnar’s Actions on SmackDown Could Signal Bigger Storylines
Brock Lesnar has a long history of violent outbursts when feuding with key opponents, showcased by his infamous attacks on Paul Heyman at SummerSlam 2022 and on legends like Shawn Michaels during rivalries involving Triple H. The recent assault on Corey Graves fits this pattern of crossing lines to elevate story stakes dramatically. It was an uncharacteristic moment on a show that tends to be more scripted in commentary zones, making the brutality stand out even more sharply.
Observers speculate that WWE may be positioning Lesnar’s rampage to generate fresh heat for his upcoming Wrestlepalooza bout against John Cena, a clash highly anticipated by fans worldwide. The incident could also indicate potential future involvement for Graves, either as a reluctant participant in the storyline or as a way to build sympathy against Lesnar’s brutal persona, deepening narrative complexity on SmackDown.
Andrade’s Departure from WWE Viewed as Intentional, Says Former Star
In another striking development, former WWE personality Dutch Mantell has asserted that Andrade’s release from WWE was not accidental but a deliberate choice by the 35-year-old wrestler. Andrade, who had recently been competing for the WWE Tag Team Championship and previously held the United States Championship, thanked the company but reportedly failed to maintain consistent communication with management.
Speaking on “Story Time with Dutch Mantell,” the ex-WWE star explained that Andrade deliberately distanced himself from the promotion by ignoring calls from WWE officials for weeks. Mantell suggested Andrade wanted to leave the Stamford-based organization and that his lack of response was a clear signal of that intention.
“I think he wanted to get fired. He had to. Listen, if you have a job and you want to keep the job, if your place of employment calls you, won’t you try to call them back the same day at least? He went weeks and weeks without calling them back. So, he was telling them, ‘Hey, I don’t want to be there.’ I have no idea why he didn’t want to be there. Most guys are knocking themselves out to get to WWE, and he’s knocking himself out to get released, and they finally give him his wish,” Mantell said.
Andrade is set for his first match outside WWE on October 3rd in Tijuana, marking a new chapter following his Stamford exit.
Solo Sikoa Reemerges on SmackDown Hinting at Tag Team Ambitions
After a period of absence following his loss to Sami Zayn in France for the United States Championship, Solo Sikoa returned to Friday Night SmackDown promising renewed momentum. Previously absent amid speculation he was being punished for outside wrestling activities, Sikoa appeared in a vignette alongside Tonga Loa, praising Loa’s loyalty and indicating his focus would shift toward the WWE Tag Team Championship.
This surprise appearance reassures fans and industry insiders that Sikoa remains a vital part of SmackDown’s competitive landscape, potentially reshaping tag team hierarchies in the weeks ahead.
Tiffany Stratton’s WWE Women’s Championship Status Faces Last-Minute Change
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton’s schedule suffered a disruption ahead of Wrestlepalooza, as her previously announced title defense was moved from the pay-per-view event in Indiana to the following Friday Night SmackDown episode. After defending her title against Jade Cargill recently on SmackDown, Stratton was pulled from her originally scheduled match at NXT: Homecoming, stirring questions around her availability.
The revised plan will see her defend the championship in a Triple Threat match against Nia Jax and Jade Cargill on SmackDown, instead of the live event. The company had prepared promotional graphics and merchandise for the initial Wrestlepalooza bout but adjusted due to Stratton’s current in-ring condition and to avoid overloading the PPV card.
Since capturing the title in January, Stratton has only made three pay-per-view defenses: WrestleMania 41, Evolution 2025, and SummerSlam 2025.
Behind the Scenes: What Led to Stratton’s Change in Wrestlepalooza Plans?
Although Tiffany Stratton remains uninjured, sources including PWInsider Elite indicate that the modification in her Wrestlepalooza appearance is a strategic choice by WWE to keep the pay-per-view card streamlined. Recent WWE pay-per-view events have tended to feature around five matches, and Stratton’s title defense was relocated to prevent the show from becoming overcrowded.
This decision reflects WWE’s effort to balance star power and match quality while adjusting to evolving talent availability.
