Cody Rhodes Returns to WWE SmackDown; Wrestlepalooza Match Set

Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton battered one another in the main event of this week’s September 12, 2025, edition of WWE SmackDown. We saw RKOs, Claymores, and even a Punt Kick attempt. That last move came in the late stages of the match. After hitting a Draping DDT, Orton would set up for the Punt Kick, only for the referee to discourage him. Distracted, McIntyre would push the referee towards Randy’s direction, following up with a Claymore for the win. Post-match, McIntyre was about to injure Orton in the same way he did to Cody Rhodes.

Fortunately, after a week away from the ring recovering from his injuries, Undisputed WWE Champion, the “American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes, would make his grand return on Friday on WWE SmackDown. Rhodes made a beeline for McIntyre, with the “Scottish Psychopath” wanting nothing to do with Rhodes, hightailing out of the ring.

A minute before WWE SmackDown went off the air, Cody Rhodes would take the mic and scream with the top of his lungs that he’s now back and better than ever. Rhodes would end the show by saying that he’ll see Drew McIntyre at WWE Wrestlepalooza.

McIntyre may have bit off more than he could chew, trying to take out WWE’s top guy. However, the tactic may have worked, as he now has an opportunity to become Undisputed WWE Champion once again.