On September 19, WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown visited the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio, delivering a charged event on the final night before Wrestlepalooza 2025. The episode centered around significant moments, including a dramatic Brock Lesnar SmackDown attack that emphasized his dominance ahead of the major Wrestlepalooza match against John Cena.
Brock Lesnar’s Violent Assault on Corey Graves Sets a Fierce Tone
The opening segment saw a furious Brock Lesnar storming out with a clear goal: to assert his power before his upcoming bout with John Cena at Wrestlepalooza. Lesnar first intimidated commentator Michael Cole by hoisting him onto his shoulders, but intervention came from Corey Graves, who bravely entered the ring to defend his colleague. Lesnar then delivered two crushing F5s to Graves, marking Graves’ first physical bumps in the ring in over ten years since his injury forced retirement. This unexpected assault raised questions about whether Graves might return to active competition. Later backstage, Lesnar confronted Paul Heyman, shaking his hand and prompting a tense conversation that hinted at a possible alliance, while also sowing seeds for rivalry involving Seth Rollins.
The Vision and Fraxiom Deliver High-Energy Tag Team Action
The event also featured a thrilling tag team match between The Vision and Fraxiom, ignited by an ambush led by Paul Heyman. The Vision launched a pre-match attack on Fraxiom and Nathan Frazer of Axiom, but the babyface duo fought back fiercely. Once the bell rang, the match unfolded at a rapid, dynamic pace, showcasing both teams’ talents in a contest that lasted just six minutes and ended with Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, key members of The Vision, prevailing. The fast tempo and crisp in-ring work highlighted The Vision’s potential as serious contenders who could make a significant impact if fully integrated into WWE’s RAW or SmackDown tag team divisions.
Sami Zayn’s U.S. Championship Open Challenge Shines Again
In the United States Championship spotlight, Sami Zayn continued to elevate the title’s prestige with another successful Open Challenge. Having taken over this tradition from John Cena, Zayn faced off against Carmelo Hayes in a match noted as the strongest of the evening. Both wrestlers exchanged impressive moves, fluid sequences, and intense offense, culminating in Zayn retaining the championship with a decisive Blue Thunder Bomb. This bout reinforced Zayn’s role in restoring importance to the United States Championship and showcased Hayes’ rising capabilities.
Drew McIntyre Confronts Cody Rhodes in a Heated Contract Exchange
The tension between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes escalated as they met face-to-face on SmackDown for the first extended time in weeks. With Rhodes’ recent absence limiting buildup, this exchange added fresh energy to their Wrestlepalooza WWE Championship rivalry. The contract signing quickly dissolved into chaos when McIntyre launched an attack on Rhodes, leading to a brawl that ended with McIntyre standing tall and sending a bold message as the pay-per-view event approaches.
“Lesnar attacked Corey Graves and Michael Cole.” – Anonymous
“A return to the ring for Graves has finally been teased.” – Anonymous
“Lesnar spoke to Paul Heyman after the match.” – Anonymous
“The Vision should be a part of the tag team division.” – Anonymous
“They attacked Fraxiom before the bell.” – Anonymous
“This was an exciting sprint of a tag team match.” – Anonymous
“Sami Zayn’s United States Title reign has been strong so far.” – Anonymous
“The open challenge gimmick always delivers.” – Anonymous
“Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes was a good match.” – Anonymous
“McIntyre and Rhodes came face to face on SmackDown.” – Anonymous
“They traded words over a contract signing.” – Anonymous
“McIntyre got the last laugh prior to their Wrestlepalooza WWE Championship match.” – Anonymous
This SmackDown episode significantly intensifies the landscape ahead of Wrestlepalooza 2025, with Brock Lesnar’s violent assault on Corey Graves marking a major storyline development. Lesnar’s interaction with Paul Heyman adds layers to evolving alliances and rivalries, potentially shifting the dynamics leading into the event. Meanwhile, high-energy matches like The Vision versus Fraxiom and Sami Zayn’s continued U.S. Championship defense contribute compelling action and narrative momentum. The heated contract confrontation between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes further deepens personal stakes for the WWE Championship showdown. Fans can expect these dramatic threads to unravel at Wrestlepalooza, promising a high-stakes, emotionally charged premium live event.
