At the September 12 WWE SmackDown event held at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, Cody Rhodes marked his highly anticipated return, setting the stage for a major title confrontation. Rhodes interrupted the post-match scene following the main event, immediately signaling his intention to challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship at the upcoming WrestlePalooza.
Details of the Post-Match Confrontation on WWE SmackDown
The main event featured a clash between WWE veterans Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre, where McIntyre secured a victory over Orton. After the match, McIntyre attempted to replicate a previous attack he had launched against Rhodes at the announce desk. Before McIntyre could carry out his plan, Rhodes rushed down to ringside, drawing a significant reaction from the crowd.
Rhodes defended Orton by delivering a counterattack on McIntyre that halted his assault and forced him to retreat. Afterward, Rhodes took the microphone to issue a direct call-out to McIntyre for their impending showdown.
Drew McIntyre, the champ is back! We can do this dance! I’ll see you, my friend, at WrestlePalooza!
—Cody Rhodes, Undisputed WWE Champion
WrestlePalooza’s Expanded Card Features Top WWE Stars
The addition of Cody Rhodes versus Drew McIntyre enhances an already impressive WrestlePalooza lineup scheduled for September 20 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The card features Brock Lesnar taking on John Cena, a tag team contest between The Usos and The Vision, and a mixed tag team bout with CM Punk & AJ Lee facing Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch. Additionally, Stephanie Vaquer will compete against Iyo Sky for the vacant WWE Women’s World Championship.
Significance and Future Expectations Following Rhodes’ Return
Cody Rhodes’ return and immediate challenge against Drew McIntyre injects fresh energy into WWE SmackDown and WWE’s premiership event on ESPN, WrestlePalooza. This confrontation between two established veterans is expected to captivate fans and contribute to the event’s anticipation. With multiple marquee matchups confirmed, WrestlePalooza promises a high-impact night likely to influence WWE’s storylines moving forward.
Fans are encouraged to follow live coverage of the event on September 20, as the excitement continues to build around this blockbuster card.
