WWE SmackDown Results: Cody Rhodes Returns, Brock Lesnar Rips, and Drew McIntyre Plots

Another Friday night, another episode of SmackDown in the books, and boy, was it a mixed bag. It felt like a show stuck in second gear, occasionally revving the engine just to remind us it can, but never truly letting loose on the open road. We saw the return of the Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes, a Brock Lesnar appearance that was memorable for all the wrong reasons, and a main event that felt like a flashback to the pandemic era. Let’s break down the good, the bad, and the bizarre from SmackDown in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Beast, The Truth, and The Wardrobe Malfunction

SmackDown kicked off with the unmistakable presence of Brock Lesnar. You could feel the energy change the second his music hit. But before “The Beast Incarnate” could even get a word out, he was interrupted by none other than R-Truth. Now, I love R-Truth as much as the next guy, but this felt like sending a chihuahua to interview a grizzly bear.

 Truth, in his infinite wisdom, decided to stand up for his “childhood hero,” John Cena. He even claimed to be “Ron Cena.” It was… a choice. Predictably, this little pow-wow ended with Truth taking a one-way trip to Suplex City, culminating in an F-5 that had an unintended casualty: Lesnar’s jeans. They split right down the middle.

Seriously. The biggest pop of the opening segment was for a wardrobe malfunction. If that doesn’t scream “pointless filler,” I don’t know what does.

 This was a classic case of having a big star on the show with absolutely nothing for him to do. A total waste of Lesnar and a confusing speed bump for R-Truth’s recent, more serious character work.

McIntyre vs. Orton: A Familiar Dance with a Fresh Twist

The main event saw Drew McIntyre take on Randy Orton, a matchup that anchored WWE programming during the ThunderDome days. These two veterans know how to put on a solid, physical match, and this was no exception. It was a hard-hitting affair, with both men trading brutal offense, including a nasty-looking side suplex from McIntyre to Orton on the announce table.

 The psychology was strong. You could feel Orton’s frustration building, teasing a return to his unhinged “Viper” persona. He was gearing up for the punt kick, a move we haven’t seen in ages, but the referee, bless his heart, stepped in to play peacemaker. This brief distraction was all McIntyre needed.

 A quick shove, a moment of confusion, and then—BAM!—a Claymore kick for the three-count. It was a clever finish that protected Orton while giving McIntyre a much-needed, albeit sneaky, win.

But the action wasn’t over.

The American Nightmare Is Back and Wants a Fight

Just as McIntyre was about to add insult to injury with a post-match beatdown on Orton, the sound of glass shattering hit the arena. Cody Rhodes is back! The Undisputed WWE Champion stormed the ring, looking like a man possessed, and sent McIntyre scrambling. Weeks of pent-up aggression from McIntyre’s previous attack came pouring out.

 Rhodes, never one to mince words, grabbed a mic and laid it all out. He challenged McIntyre to a match for the Undisputed WWE Championship at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza premium live event. The SmackDown crowd went nuts, and just like that, SmackDown had its main event for the big show. This was the moment the night needed—a jolt of adrenaline, a clear direction, and a main event with real stakes. Rhodes’ return saved the show from being completely forgettable, injecting some much-needed passion and purpose into the proceedings.

What Else Went Down On SmackDown?

• Zayn Defends the Gold: Sami Zayn’s United States Championship open challenge was answered by the high-flying Rey Fenix. These two put on a banger of a TV match, full of fast-paced action and near-falls. In the end, a Helluva Kick sealed the deal for Zayn, but Fenix looked like a star. More of this, please.
• Women’s Title Chaos: The WWE Women’s Championship rematch between Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill was shaping up to be another solid encounter. Unfortunately, it ended in a double count-out after Cargill drove Stratton through the timekeeper’s area. Before anyone could process the non-finish, Nia Jax appeared and laid out both competitors. It feels like we’re just going in circles with Jax in the title picture.
• Injuries and Intrigues: SmackDown GM Nick Aldis announced Charlotte Flair is on the shelf with an injury. We also got another series of cryptic vignettes from Solo Sikoa, The Wyatt Sicks, and Aleister Black, reminding us that darkness is bubbling just beneath the surface.

Overall, this episode of SmackDown felt like a placeholder. It did its job setting up the Wrestlepalooza main event, but much of the two-hour runtime was forgettable. The standout Zayn vs. Fenix match and Rhodes’ explosive return were the high points in an otherwise lukewarm SmackDown.