Reviews

The John Report: WWE SmackDown 09/19/25 Review

By John Canton • Published Sep 19, 2025 21:55 EDT
WWE Smackdown September 19 Review

This is WWE SmackDown featuring a Cody Rhodes-Drew McIntyre contract signing, Brock Lesnar on the show, Sami Zayn facing Carmelo Hayes, and more.

It’s the night before the first WWE Wrestlepalooza PLE. The card is Raw-heavy at this point, but we’ll see if anything else is officially added and how they build it up. I thought the last two episodes of SmackDown were better than the weeks before, so hopefully it’s the start of some positive momentum for the blue brand.

From the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio, this is SmackDown for episode #1361. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

There was some pre-show walking shown of Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, Chelsea Green with Alba Fyre, Charlotte Flair with Alexa Bliss, Carmelo Hayes, and Sami Zayn.

The commentary team is Michael Cole and Corey Graves, who were there two weeks ago, but not last week, because Graves was doing the AAA show. Cole was off last week. Cole went to the back to interview Brock Lesnar, but Brock walked out into the arena.

Brock Lesnar Causes Chaos

Brock Lesnar walked out with his t-shirt, jeans, and cowboy hat, but he took the cowboy hat off. Lesnar picked up Cole at ringside and walked Cole around the ring. Lesnar shoved Cole into the ring. The fans booed that. The fans chanted “Cena,” but he was not advertised to be there. Corey Graves went into the ring, and he tried to get Lesnar to let Cole go. Lesnar picked up Graves and gave him an F5 in the middle of the ring. The fans popped huge for that as Graves lay out in the middle of the ring. Lesnar spoke into the camera, saying, “John, I’m coming for you tomorrow. It’s D-Day tomorrow. I’m coming for blood!”

Lesnar went to the Prime hydration station and he ruined that. There were WWE Officials and referees in the ring checking on Graves, but Lesnar went into the ring and gave Graves another F5. Lesnar was looking terrifying as he made angry faces, and the fans chanted, “One More Time” for him. Lesnar left, and the fans booed.

Analysis: That’s how you book Brock Lesnar to be a monster, scary heel that will terrify children watching this show. Lesnar looks like a total badass by being downright mean and scary. Corey Graves was a wrestler over a decade ago, but stopped due to concussion issues. It was reported in the last few years that he was cleared to compete again, but he’s content being an announcer. With that said, we haven’t seen Graves take bumps in the ring like that, so it felt like a big deal to see Lesnar kick Corey’s ass like that. Beating announcers like that is cheap heat for sure, but it also works well if you do it once in a while.

(Commercial)

The show returned with WWE Officials and referees trying to help Corey Graves out of the ring. There was nobody on commentary as replays aired showing Lesnar’s attack.

Brock Lesnar was shown walking backstage, where he saw his former advocate, Paul Heyman, along with Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. Lesnar said to Heyman: “We should talk.” Lesnar tapped Heyman on the chest. Heyman nodded. Lesnar left.

Analysis: That could lead to Paul Heyman becoming Brock Lesnar’s advocate again, or at least they will be working together again.

The SmackDown GM Nick Aldis spoke to Heyman, Reed, and Breakker. Aldis said that tonight he intends to get Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre to sign their contract. Heyman said they wanted to know where The Usos were, and Nick said they were in Indianapolis already. Heyman sucked up to Aldis, saying he was the greatest GM ever, so Heyman said they’ll enjoy the show, and his guys left.

Michael Cole spoke on commentary, saying that he has never felt as helpless as he did out there tonight. Cole said if that’s what awaits John Cena tomorrow, then he doesn’t even know if his friend John has the answers. Cole sat down to do commentary.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Chelsea Green & Alba Fyre

Flair knocked down Green to start the match. Bliss tagged in with a splash, Fyre went in the ring, and Flair knocked her down with a shoulder tackle. Fyre tripped up Bliss, and Green hit a dropkick. Fyre swung Bliss so that she hit the ring post. They went on a break for some fans, and I’ll take a break too. The heels isolated Bliss for a few minutes during the break.

During the break, The Miz joined Cole on commentary. Fyre knocked Flair off the apron to prevent Bliss from tagging out, so Green worked over Bliss with a shoulder tackle. Bliss avoided Fyre and then Flair got the tag, leading to a barrage of chops. Flair hit a cartwheel clothesline on Fyre. Flair hit an overhead suplex on Fyre. Flair kicked Green on the apron and Fyre rolled up Flair for two. Flair superkicked Fyre and Flair hit a backbreaker, followed by Flair sending Fyre into the turnbuckle. Green sent Flair’s face into the turnbuckle. Fyre superkicked Flair. Green hit a bulldog on Flair and Fyre jumped off the top with a Swanton Bomb on Flair for two because Bliss made the save. Flair and Bliss hit a double Natural Selection neckbreaker on each opponent and Flair covered Green for the win. It went about 8 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss

Analysis: **3/4 A solid TV match to put over the champions, Flair and Bliss. Green and Fyre worked well together as a heel team with some double-team moves that looked good. Bliss was the face in peril, Flair got the hot ta,g and it ended soon after that. The finish wasn’t that great because the Natural Selection is a weaker finishing move.

The Street Profits were backstage with B-Fab, who said it was normal for them not to see eye to eye sometimes because they are brothers. B-Fab told them to get past what this is. Michin walked up to B-Fab, saying Nick was ready to talk to them about their tag team match. Michin left with B-Fab. Ford and Dawkins spoke. Ford said they’ll always be good. Ford said he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis to figure out how to win back the Tag Team Titles. Ford left. Bo Dallas walked up to Dawkins, saying that your brother doesn’t want to hear what you have to say, but Dallas will listen. Ford grabbed Dallas against the wall. Dallas said that he guides lost souls and takes them on a quest to find the right path. Erick Rowan walked up and hit Dawkins and Ford with strikes to knock them down. Dallas said, “Yeah Yeah Yeah” and left with Rowan.

Analysis: The tease of The Street Profits’ problems continues. Bo Dallas is trying to get in Dawkins’ head to tell him that Ford doesn’t value him. If the Profits keep losing, that could lead to the split.

(Commercial)

R-Truth was backstage looking like he was teaching people how to use the ESPN app to watch Wrestlepalooza tomorrow. Angel and Berto walked up to Truth, who told them how to download the ESPN App. They kept on talking about ways to watch it.

Analysis: It was an entertaining Truth segment to try to inform people o how to watch Wrestlepalooza on ESPN in case they don’t know how to watch it.

The Fraxiom duo of Nathan Frazer & Axiom entered for a match, but they were attacked by Bron Breaker and Bronson Reed.

Paul Heyman went into the ring saying that Fraxiom remind him of The Usos since they were flat on their back. Paul said he had a spoiler for Wrestlepalooza with his guys beating The Usos. Axiom and Frazer knocked the Bron boys out of the ring and Axiom and Frazer each hit two suicide dives.

Nick Aldis, the SmackDown GM, booked a match with The Vision facing Fraxiom right now.

Analysis: There’s a different way to set up a tag team match. Works for me.

Fraxiom – Nathan Frazer & Axiom vs. The Vision – Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed (w/Paul Heyman)

The action started during the break for some fans. Frazer and Axiom hit some strikes on Bron, but then Bron caught a leaping Axiom, and Bron hit a power slam on Axiom. Reed hit a body slam. Heyman was talking on the phone as Reed hit an elbow drop. Bron grounded Axiom with a chinlock.

Bron was in control of Axiom against the turnbuckle. Bron hit an overhead suplex on Axiom. Bron ran the ropes leading into a clothesline. Reed body slammed Axiom and hit a senton splash on Axiom. Bron hit a suplex on Axiom. Bron ran the ropes going for a move and Axiom hit a dropkick. Frazer tagged in with forearms on Reed, along with a neckbreaker on the top rope. Frazer hit a missile dropkick, superkick and Frazer hit a Frog Splash off the top for two because Reed did a power kickout. Frazer went for a twisting attack off the top, but Reed avoided it and Reed hit the Jagged Edge slam off the shoulders. Axiom went after Reed, who shoved Axiom into a Spear by Breakker. Reed hit a Tsunami off the top onto Frazer for the pinfall win after about 7 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Vision – Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed

Analysis: **3/4 It was entertaining for the time given. The Fraxiom boys are so talented and in this case they were there to make Bron & Bronson look dominant, so that’s why Fraxiom got their asses kicked. A predictable outcome considering Bron & Bronson are in a match at Wrestlepalooza.

Paul Heyman said a spoiler for Wrestlepalooza is your winners…and here are The Usos in Indianapolis. Jimmy and Jey Uso told The Vision not to choke. Jimmy said that they are the best team and Jey said they’ll lock it down like the 49er defense. I know they are Niners fans, but there are many better teams, including my Rams. Just saying.

Nia Jax was shown walking backstage for a segment up next.

Cody Rhodes was featured in a video telling people how to tune into Wrestlepalooza on ESPN.

(Commercial)

They showed several WWE superstars doing interviews on various shows promoting Wrestlepalooza on ESPN.

Let’s Hear from Nia Jax

Nia Jax made her entrance for a promo. Jax attacked Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill after their double countout match last week.

Jax said that it’s embarrassing that women in this division call themselves the Alpha Female. Jax said that she’s the Alpha Female of this division. Jax mocked Stratton saying, “It’s Tiffy Time” repeatedly. Jax said that Stratton couldn’t make the NXT Homecoming because Jax put her in a Tiffy Timeout. Jax said that Jade Cargill looks incredible and she trashed Jade’s in-ring ability. Jax said that Jade looks fantastic until she has to get in the ring and then she gets annihilated by Jax. Jax said she’ll annihilate and storm or any time.

Tiffany Stratton showed up with the WWE Women’s Championship. Stratton said that people are sick of Jax coming after her and said that nobody wants her near this title. Stratton said that Jade is not a superhero and she’s not here to save anything. Stratton said that she’s committed to showing why she’s the one and only Women’s Champion. Stratton said there’s nothing you can do or say about it. Tiffany Stratton wanted to go down to the ring, but referees and security stopped her.

Jade Cargill showed up, punched some indy wrestler security guys, and then other security people stopped Jade.

Nick Aldis, the SmackDown GM, showed up to say that next week on SmackDown, the Women’s Title will be on the line in a triple threat match. That was it.

Analysis: There were reports that the Women’s Title triple threat match would be at Wrestlepalooza since it appeared on t-shirts at the Wrestlepalooza store, but instead, it’s on SmackDown next week. The promos from Jax and Stratton were fine.

R-Truth was backstage with The Motor City Machine Guns and Rey Fenix, teaching them how to watch Wrestlepalooza on ESPN. They left. Truth put his phone in a toaster that wasn’t plugged in to end the segment.

Carmelo Hayes made his entrance for the US Title match. The Miz applauded Melo his tag team partner.

(Commercial)

It’s official for next week on SmackDown in Orlando: Tiffany Stratton defends the Women’s Championship against Nia Jax and Jade Cargill.

A replay was shown of Brock Lesnar carrying Michael Cole into the ring. Lesnar also hit Corey Graves with the F5 twice.

United States Championship: Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes

The last two weeks of Sami Zayn matches were outstanding, so let’s see if this one is too. Melo did a leapfrog over Zayn, followed by a dropkick. Zayn sent Melo to the turnbuckle, along with some punches, but Melo had Zayn trapped across the ropes and Melo hit a springboard leg drop to the back of the neck. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Melo worked over Zayn with chops, then Zayn avoided them and Zayn hit a body slam. Melo stomped on Zayn against the turnbuckle. Melo applied an armbar, Zayn hit an armdrag and Melo hit a clothesline to remain in control.

Melo hit an elbow smash, followed by a running leg drop for two. Melo worked over Zayn with strikes, but Zayn jumped over Melo and hit a clothesline. Zayn hit a double axhandle to knock Melo down. Zayn worked over Melo with punches by the turnbuckle. Zayn jumped off the ropes with a Tornado DDT for two. Melo charged, Zayn jumped off the top to go over him and Zayn hit a Michinoku Driver for two. Melo and Zayn exchanged holds, Melo held onto the ropes and Melo hit a knee smash to the face. Melo went up top, jumped off with a Frog Splash and Zayn got the knees up to block. Zayn charged, but Melo was ready with a superkick. They were both down as the show went to another break. Melo did his great move where he ran the ropes, spun around Zayn and slammed him into the mat. Zayn hit some chops, Melo went for a leapfrog, but Zayn caught him and hit a Powerbomb for two. Miz said that Melo asked him not to get involved, so Miz said that he wouldn’t get involved even though he wanted to. Zayn and Melo did a double clothesline spot to knock them both down.

Zayn charged, Melo sent him to the apron, and Melo jumped over the top and hit a DDT on the apron. Melo went up top and hit a Frog Splash for two count because Zayn got his left shoulder up. Zayn blocked a move, but then Melo broke free and Melo hit The First 48 double knees for a two count. Good nearfall for Melo there. Melo hit a springboard off the middle rope and hit a DDT. Melo went up top, jumped off, Zayn avoided it and Zayn hit a boot to the face, plus a Blue Thunder Bomb for the pinfall win after 16 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Sami Zayn

Analysis: ***3/4 It’s rare to see Zayn hitting a Blue Thunder Bomb for the win because usually it’s a move that generates a two count. It was probably a notch below the Zayn/Fenix match from last week that was outstanding, but it was still an awesome match and the best match on this show so far. Melo is a talented guy who can really go in the ring, while Zayn is one of the best, so it’s no surprise that they had chemistry together.

Damian Priest was talking to SD GM Nick Aldis while Kit Wilson was complaining to Aldis about how things are being run on SmackDown. Priest complained to Aldis about the cheap attacks by Aleister Black. Wilson said that Priest is toxic, so Priest tossed Wilson through a fake wall that was set up just for that stunt.

Still to come: A Cody Rhodes-Drew McIntyre contract signing.

(Commercial)

Brock Lesnar-John Cena History Video

There was Part 2 of the Brock Lesnar-John Cena history following last week’s video with Joe Tessitore narrating it. It talked about how John Cena became WWE’s biggest star in the later part of the 2000s while Lesnar became the UFC World Champion. They showed Lesnar returning to WWE on the Raw after WrestleMania in 2012, and he attacked Cena. That set up Cena beating Lesnar at Extreme Rules 2012. It was followed by Cena and Lesnar getting some huge wins over big names like The Rock and The Undertaker. That led to Lesnar beating Cena for the WWE Title at SummerSlam 2014, with Lesnar destroying Cena in the match. A third video will air on the Wrestlepalooza pre-show.

Analysis: Good stuff that I remember fondly. That Lesnar-Cena match at SummerSlam 2014 is memorable because of how dominant Lesnar was in the match.

There was a rundown of the Wrestlepalooza card.

* John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

* CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch

* The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker

* For the Vacant Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Iyo Sky

* WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre

Analysis: I was hoping for a six or seven-match card. Nope. It looks like they are sticking with just five matches.

A replay was shown of last week when Drew McIntyre beat Randy Orton on SmackDown. The WWE Champion Cody Rhodes saved Orton from a post match attack.

The ring was being set up for the contract signing up next.

(Commercial)

Solo Sikoa was featured in a video package talking to Tonga Loa about being a loyal soldier. Solo said you’ve shown me love and sacrificed your body. Solo said you’re the son of Haku and he owes it to him to make him a champion. Solo said that as long as Loa is part of MFT, his loyalty will be rewarded. Loa put his hand on Solo’s shoulder and said he loved him.

Analysis: It is a way to re-establish the Solo Sikoa MFT group by building up the members of the group and putting them over. I assume we’ll see a video about JC Mateo and Talla Tonga each in the next two weeks.

Contract Signing: Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre

The SmackDown GM Nick Aldis was in the ring with a table and two chairs to host the contract signing for the WWE Title match at Wrestlepalooza. Drew McIntyre was up first, followed by the WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, who got a huge ovation from the fans. Drew was in street clothes while Cody was in a suit as usual.

Cody said that before they signed that, he asked Drew what happened on this very day 15 years ago. Cody said they won the Tag Team Titles together. Cody said that nobody was talking about it. Cody said he understands who Drew is. Cody put over Drew as a Royal Rumble winner, he’s been WWE Champion, he’s slayed The Beast, and he’s been a Scottish Warrior. Cody said that lately, Drew has been a keyboard warrior. Cody told Drew to make a social media post. Drew tweeted, “Thank You Cody!”

Drew said that all he wanted was a legit shot at the WWE Championship. Drew said that Cody won’t let Drew get screwed over. Drew said that Cody is a company guy who thinks about what is best for the company. Drew said that Cody is the corporate champion. Drew said that he kicked Cody’s head in and took him out for five weeks. Drew spoke about how they were the main event of Wrestlepalooza. Drew said that the fans are going to turn on Drew because he was in Cody’s spot and they are going to turn on him, so Cody will say Drew is right.

Cody said that your legacy will be that Drew lost to Cody at Wrestlepalooza for the WWE Championship. Cody signed the contract first, and then Drew signed the contract right after. Cody handed Aldis the contract, so Drew headbutted Cody out of the ring.

Drew slammed Cody’s head into the commentary table. Drew set up for a Claymore Kick into the bottom of the table, but Drew said he won’t do it again. Drew said that this match is happening tomorrow and he’s taking the WWE Championship. Drew left with a smirk on his face. As Drew stood on the floor, Cody was back in the ring and hit a suicide dive onto Drew on the floor. Cody punched Drew. Aldis and other WWE officials showed up to break up the fight, but they weren’t able to slow them down. Cody punched Drew a few times, and then Cody was held back. Drew hit a Claymore Kick on the floor. Drew stomped on Cody’s head on the floor. Drew told Cody to sleep with the title because it’s the last night he’ll have it for a long time. End show.

Analysis: I don’t really like contract signings in the main event spot, no matter who the wrestlers are. I understand why they are done to feature main event talent, but it’s not a main event segment, in my opinion. In this case, it was executed well with each man making good points with their promos, followed by Drew doing the cheap attack after the signing and then laying Cody out to end the show. It gives Drew the advantage. Do I think Drew will win at Wrestlepalooza? No, but at least it teases the idea that Drew has had the upper hand in this story and that could mean Drew will win. I’m picking Cody to win.

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I’ll add my final thoughts later in the evening.

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The next WWE PLE is Wrestlepalooza on September 20th. Here’s the lineup so far.

* John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
* CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch
* WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
* For the Vacant Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Iyo Sky
* The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker

You can watch Wrestlepalooza, streaming LIVE Saturday, September 20, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ESPN in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.