On the September 12, 2025, edition of WWE SmackDown, Drew McIntyre defeated Randy Orton in the main event. The conclusion of the match saw the return of Cody Rhodes, who issued a challenge to McIntyre for the upcoming Wrestlepalooza event.
The match between Orton and McIntyre featured action both inside and outside the ring. At one point, McIntyre avoided a DDT attempt by moving to the ringside area. Orton followed, delivering two side suplexes to McIntyre onto the announce table before sending him back into the ring. As Orton re-entered the ring, McIntyre connected with a Claymore Kick.
Later in the contest, Orton successfully hit McIntyre with an RKO, but McIntyre rolled out of the ring before a pinfall could be attempted. As McIntyre tried to get back in, Orton caught him with a draping DDT. Orton then signaled for a punt kick, but the referee intervened. As Orton moved to the other side of the ring to attempt the move again, McIntyre moved out of the way. McIntyre then attempted to push Orton into the referee, but Orton stopped his momentum. As Orton turned back towards his opponent, he was struck by a second Claymore Kick from McIntyre, who then secured the pinfall victory.
Following the match, McIntyre removed Orton from the ring. Cody Rhodes then ran to the ring and executed a Cody Cutter on McIntyre. Rhodes took a microphone and stated, “The champ is back. We can do this at Wrestlepalooza.”
Updated WWE Wrestlepalooza Card (September 20, 2025)
- Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
- Vacant Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer
- Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
- CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch
- John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
Cody Rhodes is Drew McIntyre's biggest nightmare! #SmackDown #WWE pic.twitter.com/45cAVa5AU4
— USA Network (@USANetwork) September 13, 2025
