WWE SmackDown takeaways: Contracts for Wrestlepalooza signed, Heyman
A signed contract — with the obligatory brawl — between Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre, a potential Brock Lesnar-Paul Heyman reunion, another impressive victory for women’s tag team champions Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss and another U.S. title defense by Sami Zayn highlighted SmackDown’s go-home show Friday ahead of Saturday’s Wrestlepalooza (7 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited).
Here are the biggest takeaways from Friday night:
Sept. 19 SmackDown results
-
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss def. Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championship.
-
Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker def. Fraxiom.
-
Sami Zayn def. Carmelo Hayes to retain the U.S. Championship.
Signed, sealed and (head-butt) delivered
“The Scottish Warrior has just been a keyboard warrior…”@CodyRhodes is fed up with @DMcIntyreWWE 😤 pic.twitter.com/oeN2OqV2kg
— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2025
Contract signings rarely happen in WWE without someone getting hurt. If both competitors formally and cordially sign a match contract, shake hands and then walk away, it wouldn’t provide the same level of entertainment.
The latest signing started cordially enough. Cody Rhodes reminded Drew McIntyre that 15 years ago to the day, they became tag team champions in WWE. Rhodes added that McIntyre — seated in a chair in front of an office desk inside the ring — has gone from Scottish Warrior to keyboard warrior and urged him to tweet live. McIntyre did just that, typing out “Thank you Cody,” for being a champion that will give McIntyre an honest title shot … but cares more about stock prices and brand image. Rhodes and McIntyre would sign the contract … then the physicality ensued, as you would expect. McIntyre refrained from incapacitating Rhodes because he wanted him to compete at Wrestlepalooza on Saturday.
“I’m taking the one thing that means the most to you…”
This is OUT OF CONTROL! 😱 Who will walk away as the Undisputed WWE Champion at Wrestlepalooza? Stream TOMORROW on the…
