On September 19, 2025, Friday Night SmackDown delivered a dramatic buildup to the upcoming Wrestlepalooza pay-per-view hosted by ESPN. Central to the evening was a heated contract signing between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes ahead of their WWE Championship match, in which McIntyre issued a stern Drew McIntyre WWE Warning to Rhodes amid mounting tension.
The episode also featured high-stakes matches and intense backstage confrontations, setting the stage for a night full of action and storyline developments that will significantly impact the future of WWE.
Results From Friday Night SmackDown on September 19, 2025
The competitive action saw Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships with a decisive pinfall victory over Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed secured a pinfall win against Fraxiom, while Sami Zayn successfully defended his United States Championship by pinning Carmelo Hayes. These outcomes underscored SmackDown’s blend of fierce competition across multiple divisions heading into Wrestlepalooza.
Major Moments and Backstage Drama Highlight SmackDown
The show kicked off with a startling segment as Brock Lesnar stormed into the ring during Michael Cole’s backstage interview, attacking Corey Graves twice with his signature F5 maneuver. After tossing Cole into the ring, Lesnar’s violent outburst escalated, ending with him warning John Cena that he’s coming “for blood.” Referees scrambled to aid Graves, emphasizing the severity of Lesnar’s actions.
Backstage, Lesnar had an intense face-off with Paul Heyman, signaling unresolved issues. Nick Aldis’s arrival calmed tensions briefly, with Heyman noting he and allies Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed were there simply to enjoy the show. Meanwhile, The Street Profits faced internal conflict; B-Fab urged unity as Michin sought to speak with Aldis, but tensions between Montez Ford and Bo Dallas erupted, culminating in Erick Rowan intervening and attacking the duo.
Another dramatic moment came when Paul Heyman and The Vision interrupted Fraxiom’s match, equating Fraxiom to The Usos and threatening them. This led Aldis to arrange a match between these rival teams for the upcoming event. Later, Nia Jax asserted her dominance as “Alpha of the Women’s Division” during a promo aimed at Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill. The animosity grew as Cargill tried to attack Jax, prompting Aldis to announce that the Women’s Championship match would take place on next week’s SmackDown.
Drew McIntyre’s Intense Contract Signing with Cody Rhodes Sets the Tone
The episode’s climax revolved around the contractual showdown between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes for their Wrestlepalooza title bout. Rhodes recalled their shared victory of the Tag Team Championships 15 years ago, lamenting how backstage figures ignored their achievement. Despite Rhodes belittling McIntyre as a “keyboard warrior,” McIntyre remained composed, acknowledging Rhodes’s remarks but vowing to give Rhodes the fair match he demanded without interference.
McIntyre further branded Rhodes as the “true corporate champion” while issuing a stern Drew McIntyre WWE Warning, predicting that the fans would eventually turn against Rhodes, leaving him to sit in McIntyre’s current position. Rhodes retorted that should he lose, his legacy would be defined by that defeat at the first pay-per-view event on ESPN. After signing the contract, the two engaged in a fierce brawl, with McIntyre nearly delivering a Claymore Kick to Rhodes’s head before halting himself, refusing to ruin his own victory.
Corey Graves Faces Physical Risk for the First Time in Years
Corey Graves, known primarily as a vocal commentator since retiring from in-ring competition in 2011 due to concussions, suffered two brutal F5s from Brock Lesnar during the opening segment. Although Graves has been medically cleared for in-ring action for some time, he has yet to fully return to wrestling aside from minor teases. Seeing Graves endure these significant impacts showed his preparedness to engage physically while maintaining safety, reassuring fans that he can still perform when needed.
Could Drew McIntyre Be Poised for a New WWE Championship Era?
Drew McIntyre remains a pivotal figure in WWE, with two previous WWE Championship reigns, both during the unique circumstances of the Pandemic and Thunderdome eras. His character has evolved into a compelling heel, contrasting sharply with Cody Rhodes’s white meat babyface image. Many believe that now is an ideal moment for McIntyre to embark on another legitimate championship run in front of live crowds.
Following well-received feuds against Seth Rollins and CM Punk—including a Hell in a Cell match regarded among the best ever—McIntyre has cemented himself as one of WWE’s most captivating antagonists. Should he claim the title, fans can anticipate a powerful reign that elevates McIntyre’s status as a top company figure and brings a fresh dynamic to WWE’s main event scene.
