By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,361)
September 19, 2025, in Toledo, Ohio, at Huntington Center
Simulcast live on USA Network and internationally on Netflix
[Hour One] Michael Cole opened the show while arrival and backstage shots aired of Drew McIntyre, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, Carmelo Hayes, and U.S. Champion Sami Zayn…
Cole and Corey Graves checked in from their ringside broadcast table. The duo spoke about Wrestlepalooza being 24 hours away. Cole said he was scheduled to interview Brock Lesnar later in the show, but he was told that Lesnar was ready to do the interview. Cole got up to head backstage for the interview while Graves hyped upcoming matches.
Brock Lesnar made his entrance, causing Cole to freeze in his tracks in the entrance aisle. Cole indicated that he thought he was going to do the interview backstage. Lesnar scooped up Cole and carried him while doing his usual lap around the ring. Lesnar walked up the ring steps, set Cole down on the apron, and pushed him over while he was trying to climb through the ropes.
Cole pleaded with Lesnar, who smiled and then grabbed him by the tie while pulling him to his feet. Graves entered the ring and tried to talk down Lesnar, who responded by giving Graves an F5. Lesnar grabbed a camera and yelled to John Cena that he’s coming for him and will be coming for blood.
Lesnar exited the ring and trashed the stupid hydration station. Lesnar grabbed the top piece of the ring steps and started to return to the ring, causing the referees who were checking on Graves to run away. Lesnar hoisted up Graves and gave him another F5. “Come on, Cena,” Lesnar yelled. The crowd chanted, “One more time.” Lesnar made his exit instead, which drew boos…
Powell’s POV: A hot opening with Lesnar creating the type of chaos that he delivers better than anyone. Unless I’m forgetting something, this was the first time we’ve seen Graves take a bump on television since he was medically cleared back in 2022. I love that Lesnar was a good heel by leaving the fans hanging when they chanted for one more F5.
Coming out of the break, Cole, referees, and producers were tending to Graves, who was still down in the ring. Footage of Lesnar’s attack was shown…
Lesnar was shown walking backstage. Lesnar encountered Paul Heyman, who was standing with Bronson Reed and Bron Breaker. “We should talk,” Lesnar said to Heyman, who said okay and then had a sinister laugh after Lesnar walked away.
Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis approached Heyman, Reed, and Breakker and told them today is not the day. Aldis said he had a contract signing for the main event of Wrestlepalooza. Aldis said he needed two signatures, not more problems. Heyman claimed he was there to broker peace between his men and Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso. Aldis said the Usos were in Indianapolis, and suspected Heyman already knew that. Heyman praised Aldis’s work as a GM and his suit, and claimed they were there to enjoy the show…
Michael Cole walked back to the broadcast table and put this headset on. A flustered Cole said Corey Graves was backstage getting medical attention because he tried to help him. Cole said he’s done this a long time and has gotten in the ring and has been pushed around, but he’s never felt as helpless as he did tonight. He said if that’s what awaits his friend John Cena, he doesn’t even know if Cena has the answer…
1. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. Both entrances were televised. The challengers had Bliss down in their corner heading into a break. [C]
The Miz was on commentary with Cole coming out of the break. Flair tagged in, but Green put her down, and then Fyre hit her with a Swanton Bomb from the top rope. Bliss broke up the pin attempt that followed. Flair and Bliss came right back with stereo Natural Selections, and then Flair pinned Green…
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss beat Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre in 8:00 to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: There wasn’t much to this match, especially with the commercial break early. I’ve never been a fan of the Natural Selection because it used to bend opponents into what looked like a gentle yoga pose, but Flair has tweaked it so that she’s now spiking her opponent’s head.
Backstage, B-Fab told Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins that they needed to get past whatever their issues were and do what’s best for the Street Profits. Michin interrupted to tell B-Fab that Aldis was ready to talk to them about a tag team match for next week’s show. B-Fab told Ford and Dawkins to work things out. After the ladies left, Dawkins was about to speak, but Ford cut him off and said they would always be good. Ford said he would talk to Aldis about a tag title shot. Both men did their handshake bit, and then Ford walked out of the picture.
Bo Dallas showed up and told Dawkins that his brother didn’t want to hear what he had to say, but he wanted to listen. Ford returned and shoved Dallas against a wall. Dallas said he was there to guide lost souls to find the right path. Dallas laughed. Erick Rowan showed up and left Ford and Dawkins lying… [C]
Backstage, R-Truth was at a homemade ESPN booth selling Wrestlepalooza t-shirts. “Los Garza” Angel and Berto showed up. Truth told them his booth was a Genius Bar, and he’s a tech guy. Berto asked where he could find the ESPN app, so Truth gave him several options, including a code that could be scanned. Angel said he already has ESPN with his cable. Truth told him to sign in, and he’d be good to go. Berto said he didn’t have cable, so Truth gave him instructions…
Powell’s POV: Well, not quite. There are going to be some cable and satellite subscribers who have ESPN, yet won’t be able to get the Unlimited app for free. For instance, DirecTV Stream users get ESPN Unlimited. Unless something has changed, DirecTV satellite subscribers will have to wait until later this fall.
“Fraxiom” Axiom and Nathan Frazer were introduced for a match. Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker attacked the duo and cleared them from the ring. Paul Heyman came out and said Fraxiom looked like the Usos. Heyman spoke in what was likely Samoan and then said it was a spoiler for Wrestlepalooza about his team winning.
Axiom and Frazer climbed up top behind the heels and then dropkicked them, and then followed up with suicide dives. Aldis came out and booked them in an impromptu match… [C]
2. Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker (w/Paul Heyman) vs. “Fraxiom” Axiom and Nathan Frazer. The match was joined in progress. Late in the match, Axiom was on the ropes with Reed, who shoved him off the ropes and into a Breakker spear. Reed followed up with a Tsunami and then pinned Frazer.
Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker defeated “Fraxiom” Axiom and Nathan Frazer.
After the match, Heyman called off ring announcer Mark Nash. Heyman said he didn’t need John Cena’s bitch to announce his men as winners. Heyman said that was his job. Heyman tried to deliver his spoiler for Wrestlepalooza by naming Reed and Breakker the winners, but he was interrupted.
Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso appeared on the big screen from Indianapolis at the Wrestlepalooza host venue, Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Usos delivered a brief promo that left Heyman scowling…
Nia Jax was shown walking backstage while Cole said she would appear after a break…
Cody Rhodes walked viewers through the steps to access ESPN Unlimited… [C]
Cole hyped the Wrestlepalooza schedule with a two-hour countdown show, the main show starting at 6CT/7ET, and a post-show… A video package spotlighted appearances that Paul Levesque and WWE wrestlers made on various ESPN shows to promote Wrestlepalooza…
The broadcast team thanked Drake for “Nokia” being the official theme song of Wrestlepalooza…
Cole hyped the contract signing for Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship…
Powell’s POV: I’m a little surprised that Aldis listed the WWE Championship match as the Wrestlepalooza main event. John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar was previously announced as the opening match, but I didn’t know if they’d go with the WWE Championship match last because I suspected we might get a weak finish designed to set up a rematch.
Nia Jax delivered a promo while standing in the ring. She mocked the fans and said she’s sick of the women’s division. She said it’s embarrassing that women continue to call themselves the alpha female when she is the true alpha female. Jax said it’s definitely not Tiffany Stratton. Jax impersonated Stratton, saying, “It’s Tiffy Time,” and then said she’s annoying.
Jax said if she could trade looks with anyone, it would be Jade Cargill. Jax said that if Jade could trade in-ring ability with anyone, it would be her. Jax laughed and said Jade could use it. Jax said she will annihilate any storm or Tiffy Time any damn time.
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton made her entrance and spoke from the stage while saying everyone was sick of Jax running her mouth.
[Hour Two] Stratton said she’s committed to showing Jax that she’s the one and only WWE Women’s Champion. Stratton started to walk toward the ring, but a group of security guards stopped her.
Jade Cargill made her entrance. Jade kicked a security guard and headed to the ring, but another batch of security guards pulled her off the apron. Nick Aldis came out and said that there would be severe consequences if there was another punch thrown. Aldis booked Stratton vs. Jade vs. Jax in a Triple Threat for the WWE Championship on next week’s Smackdown in Orlando…
R-Truth spoke with Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, and Rey Fenix about how to sign up for ESPN Unlimited. Truth said “most big providers” have ESPN Unlimited locked in…
Carmelo Hayes made his entrance for the U.S. Title match. Miz stood up behind the broadcast table and obnoxiously applauded Hayes… [C] Cole hyped the Triple Threat for the WWE Women’s Championship for next week’s show…
Cole recapped footage of the opening segment with Brock Lesnar. Cole said he’d never felt so helpless…
Powell’s POV: I remember a time when Cole seemed even more helpless.
Sami Zayn made his entrance…
3. Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes for the U.S. Championship. Hayes did a springboard from the second rope and hit a backwards leg drop on Zayn, who was draped over the middle rope. [C] Zayn picked up a couple of good near falls. Hayes came back with a knee strike.
Hayes went for a top rope frog splash, but Zayn put his knees up. Zayn went for a Helluva Kick, but Hayes caught him with a kick of his own before a picture-in-picture break. [C]
Hayes hit the First 48 for a good near fall. Hayes followed up with a cutter. Hayes went up top for Nothing But Net, but he rolled through after Zayn avoided him. Zayn caught Hayes with a kick and a Blue Thunder Bomb for the win.
Sami Zayn defeated Carmelo Hayes in 12:10 to retain the U.S. Championship.
Powell’s POV: A nice match. I like that Zayn won the match with a Blue Thunder Bomb. It’s good to have wrestlers occasionally win with a secondary move rather than always having that move result in a near fall.
Kit Wilson was venting to Nick Aldis about the locker room when Damian Priest stormed into the office and demanded to know where he could find Aleister Black. Priest said Black attacked him during his entrance and used a referee as a shield. Priest said that if Aldis doesn’t give him Black, everyone would have to deal with the punisher.
Wilson told Aldis that this is what he was talking about. Wilson spoke about Priest acting out in hyper-masculine and verbally aggressive ways. Wilson said Priest is toxic. Priest grabbed Wilson by the throat and tossed him through a flimsy wall…
Powell’s POV: Here’s hoping that Wilson threatens to sue WWE for an unsafe work environment unless they fund Pretty Deadly: The Musical.
Cole hyped the contract signing for the WWE Championship for later in the show. He said the second part of the video series on the history between John Cena and Brock Lesnar was up next… [C] The clip of Cody walking viewers through signing up for ESPN Unlimited was replayed…
The second part of the video series on the history between Cena and Lesnar aired. The narrator said they would preview the final battle on Saturday. Lesnar was shown saying that Cena is holding a retirement party. “I’m about to f— that up,” Lesnar said…
Cole and Miz ran through the Wrestlepalooza lineup. Cole hyped the contract signing for after the break… [C]
A Solo Sikoa video package aired. Solo sat at a desk and said he had one loyal soldier left. He said this person was with him from the start of the Bloodline and has never betrayed him. Solo mentioned Tonga Loa, who entered the picture. Solo said Loa showed him love and sacrificed his body. He said Loa is the son of Haku, the most dangerous man on the planet, and that makes him dangerous. Solo said Loa brought gold to the family. Solo said he owed it to Loa to make him a champion. Solo said he let him down, but as long as he’s part of his family tree, his loyalty will be rewarded. Loa put his hand on Solo’s shoulder and said, “I love you, Solo”…
Nick Aldis stood in the ring with the contract signing set and introduced Drew McIntyre, who made his entrance. McIntyre took the mic and was about to speak, but Cody Rhodes’ entrance music interrupted him. The WWE Champion made his entrance dressed in a suit. Cody stood on the apron and held up the title belt while looking at McIntyre, who was sitting down.
Cody asked McIntyre if he knew what happened on the same day 15 years ago. Cody said they won the tag team titles. Cody asked McIntyre if he knew who was backstage talking about it. Cody said nobody, because the world doesn’t revolve around the two of them. Cody said the fans just want to watch two men fight.
Cody said McIntyre has been a world champion and has won the Royal Rumble. Cody said he’s the Scottish Warrior, but lately he’s been a keyboard warrior. Cody told McIntyre to take his phone out and go viral on social media at his expense. Cody said it was the last time that McIntyre would get one over on him.
McIntyre held up his phone and showed the message “Thank you, Cody.” McIntyre explained that all he’s wanted was a legitimate shot at the WWE Championship with no one interfering or screwing him over. McIntyre said Cody is a corporate champion, which used to be a bad thing. McIntyre told Cody that the fans will turn on him, and he’ll end up sitting in McIntyre’s chair and will realize that he was right.
Cody said if McIntyre fails, his legacy will be that he’s the man who lost to him on the ESPN debut. Both men signed the contract. As Cody handed it to Aldis, McIntyre shot up and headbutted Cody. McIntyre followed Cody to the floor and worked him over. McIntyre had Cody down in front of the broadcast table and could have kicked him, but he stopped.
McIntyre grabbed Cody’s face and said he wouldn’t kick him through the table because he would take the WWE Championship from him instead. McIntyre walked away and said, “I’m not going to screw it up for myself.” Cody hit McIntyre with a suicide dive.
A pull-apart brawl followed. McIntyre pulled free and dropped Cody with a Claymore Kick. McIntyre stomped Cody’s head while the executive producer credits were shown. McIntyre told Cody to sleep with the title because it would be the last time he has it for a long time…
Powell’s POV: A good angle to close out another strong go-home show. The push for Cody and McIntyre left something to be desired due to Cody taking time off to film a movie, but they did a solid job with the contract signing. They really got it right with Brock Lesnar. I will be back shortly with my weekly same-night audio review of Smackdown, which will be available exclusively for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons), who will also hear audio reviews of WWE Wrestlepalooza and AEW All Out on Saturday night. Let me know what you thought of Smackdown by grading it below.
Make ProWrestling.net your home for live reviews of AEW All Out and WWE Wrestlepalooza on Saturday.