The September 19 episode of Friday Night SmackDown is shaping up to be a solid show. It’s the go-home edition of the show ahead of the Wrestlepalooza Premium Live Event, so fans can expect a lot of great action from start to finish. Tonight’s WWE SmackDown promises to deliver high drama and storylines that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. With appearances from Cody Rhodes and more, it’s bound to be a show you won’t want to miss. WWE SmackDown will air live from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio, starting at 8 PM ET
Cody Rhodes made his shocking return during last week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, as he beat up Drew McIntyre. With them set for a match at WWE Wrestlepalooza, fans are eager to see what the American Nightmare will have to say on the show. Sami Zayn successfully retained the WWE United States Championship against Rey Fenix on SmackDown last week. He is now set to defend it against Carmelo Hayes, so it remains to be seen whether Hayes will somehow pull off the upset win and become the new champion.
Fresh off his win at WWE SummerSlam 2025 against John Cena to regain the Undisputed WWE Championship, Cody Rhodes was riding extremely high. Unfortunately, this euphoria would not last long. Sure, he expected a target on his back, but he didn’t expect to be brutalized by a man, and a competitor who should’ve done better. On a SmackDown a number of weeks ago, Drew McIntyre would put Cody Rhodes out of commission for an extended time after he delivered a Claymore to the skull of Rhodes through the side of the announcers’ table. Every week, McIntyre would taunt Cody, asking commentators such as Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore, and Michael Cole about “medical updates,” fully knowing the uncertainties around Rhodes’ health.