The main event of this week’s SmackDown featured a contract signing between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes, officially confirming their WWE Championship bout at Wrestlepalooza 2025. McIntyre, known for his live-event humor, taunted Rhodes during the segment, which ended with a surprising and intense conclusion.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis oversaw the signing after a chaotic night involving multiple superstars, including Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and Jade Cargill, who all caused disruption throughout the show.
Rivalry Rekindled with Trolling and Tensions
During the contract signing, McIntyre and Rhodes reflected on their past as former tag team champions—a tenure few fans remember. While Rhodes spoke seriously, McIntyre distractedly used his phone, sending a live “Thank you Cody!!!” tweet, a recurring tactic for him at major events like WrestleMania 40 and 41. This behavior added tension, showing their drastically different approaches and mindsets today.
The segment escalated with a violent brawl after Rhodes delivered a Glasgow kiss to McIntyre. The fight concluded as McIntyre struck Rhodes with a powerful big boot followed by stomping on his head, shocking the audience and abruptly closing SmackDown.
Implications for Wrestlepalooza and Cody Rhodes’ Championship Reign
Originally expected to headline Wrestlepalooza, Rhodes vs. McIntyre was shifted to a later spot on the card after John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar was promoted to the main event. This change has sparked speculation that an even bigger development could occur in the show’s climax.
The looming match poses a significant challenge for Cody Rhodes, who only recently regained the WWE Championship at SummerSlam 2025 in early August. Despite holding the title, Rhodes faces serious uncertainty against McIntyre, who has not held a major world title in nearly five years. McIntyre’s only recent world title moment was a brief reign at WrestleMania 40, highlighting the stakes and unpredictability surrounding this clash.
"I'm taking the one thing that means the most to you…"
This is OUT OF CONTROL! 😱 Who will walk away as the Undisputed WWE Champion at Wrestlepalooza? Stream TOMORROW on the ESPN app!https://t.co/jKAIj8nxxt pic.twitter.com/kyDHltKU6I
— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2025
