On this week’s SmackDown, general manager Nick Aldis confirmed that Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens will put their initials on a contract at Saturday Night’s Main Event in the presence of Shawn Michaels . That’d impart an official stamp to the proposed Owens vs. Rhodes ladder match for the Undisputed WWE title at the Royal Rumble.
Aldis tried to get things done on his own. He told Cody to sign an addendum tied to his contract on tonight’s SmackDown itself. However, The American Nightmare refused, asking Nick to make Owens comply with the rules first. The GM was concerned about what went down between these combustible elements at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December.
Cody was planted with a debarred Package Piledriver by Kevin. That relegated the champ to the sidelines for weeks. But as of this Friday, Rhodes has been medically cleared to compete again. After hearing what the former AEW EVP had to say, Nick Aldis approached his challenger.
Nick Aldis has had ENOUGH. He says at Saturday Night's Main Event, both Cody & Kevin will relinquish their titles to be hung above the ring at the Royal Rumble, they will sign the contract and the contract signing will be overseen… by SHAWN MICHAELS #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/NNy1qpCdvj
— The Movement – Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) January 18, 2025
But Owens did the same and yelled at the GM that he wouldn’t sign on the dotted line until Cody does it. That reluctance from both of his top guys on the roster prompted Nick to make a phone call. In a backstage confrontation with Rhodes later on, Aldis affirmed that he’s had enough. Since Owens and Rhodes are out of control, they’d need a mediator to get the paperwork done.
That’s where Shawn Michaels would step in. The WWE Hall of Famer will descend on Frost Bank Center in his hometown of San Antonio at SNME next weekend. Also, Cody and Kevin will have to relinquish their respective Undisputed and the Winged Eagle WWE titles as they are to be suspended up high at Royal Rumble.
After missing a few weeks of TV time, Braun Strowman returned to SmackDown this week. He arrived to the aid of LA Knight, who tried to fend off Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga on his own. However, The Megastar soon got the reality check as he was outnumbered.
Strowman’s music hit, and he came running down that aisle. The Monster came face-to-face with The Samoan Werewolf, and they received a huge ovation from the crowd. Before they could swing at each other, Tonga pulled Fatu out.
They really making me want to see Jacob Fatu vs Braun Strowman #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/pW2eVn0Nb3
— The Movement – Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) January 18, 2025
As a result, Braun and Jacob will now duke it out at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Apart from that, WWE has already announced that Gunther will defend his world title against Jey Uso . Moreover, Bron Breakker will take on Sheamus for the Intercontinental title.
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