WWE is heading to Dublin for a historic Smackdown taping at the 3Arena this Friday, marking the first time the show will air live from the city. Fans will see major stars including John Cena, Randy Orton, Tiffany Stratton, and Dublin’s own Becky Lynch. However, the current WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will be absent. His recent SummerSlam victory and subsequent storyline attack by Drew McIntyre have sidelined him in the narrative, but the real reason for his absence is outside the ring.
Key Highlights
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Smackdown airs live from Dublin’s 3Arena on Friday, August 22 at 8pm
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WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will not appear due to filming commitments
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Rhodes recently won his second WWE Championship at SummerSlam, defeating John Cena
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John Cena will make his final Dublin appearance ahead of his December retirement
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Clash in Paris set for late August, with Cena facing Logan Paul
Cody Rhodes’ SummerSlam Triumph
Cody Rhodes captured his second WWE Championship earlier this month at SummerSlam by defeating John Cena in the main event on Night 2. The victory ended Cena’s record-breaking 17th World Championship reign and cemented Rhodes as the centerpiece of WWE’s current era. The win marked a significant passing of the torch, signaling that Rhodes is now the leader of the company’s next chapter.
“It was a huge moment for Rhodes and his loyal legion of fans, but in the aftermath of winning, he was attacked on the following Smackdown by Drew McIntyre.” – WWE report
Absence from Dublin Smackdown
While the storyline explanation places Rhodes out of action following McIntyre’s attack, the real-world reason for his absence is his acting commitments. Rhodes is currently filming the live-action STREET FIGHTER movie, where he stars as Guile. He teased his role on social media over the weekend, confirming that he would not appear at this week’s Dublin Smackdown.
His acting commitments have put his appearance at Clash in Paris in doubt, but one thing that has been confirmed as of writing is that John Cena will appear at the premium live event.
Other Stars Headlining Dublin
Despite Rhodes’ absence, the Dublin Smackdown will feature several prominent WWE talents. John Cena will make his last Dublin appearance before retiring in December. Fans can also expect to see former champion Randy Orton, current Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, adding star power to the historic taping. The live broadcast begins at 8pm local time on Friday, August 22, giving fans a full night of action ahead of the Clash in Paris.
News in Brief: Cody Rhodes to Miss Historic Dublin Smackdown
Cody Rhodes will miss the August 22 Dublin Smackdown due to filming the new live-action STREET FIGHTER movie as Guile, following his recent SummerSlam WWE Championship victory. Storyline-wise, he was attacked by Drew McIntyre on the previous Smackdown, sidelining him in the narrative. John Cena will appear in Dublin for his final WWE performance in the city before retiring in December. Other stars scheduled include Randy Orton, Tiffany Stratton, and Becky Lynch.
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