The opening segment of tonight’s Friday Night SmackDown featured a tense confrontation between Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and NXT Champion Oba Femi, alongside major developments regarding Drew McIntyre’s suspension status.
General Manager Nick Aldis opened the show by addressing the McIntyre situation. Aldis revealed that despite his efforts to reinstate the suspended star, McIntyre has refused to return calls or emails. Instead, Aldis disclosed that he received a legal letter from McIntyre’s attorney claiming SmackDown is an “unsafe workplace.” In response, Aldis announced he intends to visit McIntyre’s home next week to resolve the matter personally.
Cody Rhodes interrupted the segment, crumpling up the legal letter before heading to the ring. Rhodes criticized McIntyre for claiming the environment was unsafe only after “nearly snatching him bald,” stating that the real reason McIntyre isn’t doing media or appearances is that he is only “half in.” Rhodes added that if he were McIntyre’s boss, he would fire him, but since he isn’t, he is ready to “whip his ass.”
The segment took a sudden turn when the arena lights turned green and NXT Champion Oba Femi made his entrance. Femi introduced himself to Rhodes as the “ruler, destroyer, and bringer of war.” He challenged Rhodes for tomorrow’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, quoting John Cena by telling Rhodes, “Your time is up, my time is now.”
Rhodes acknowledged the respect for Cena but reminded Femi that he is the man who beat Cena for the title. The segment ended with both champions raising their titles in a stare-down.
Saturday Night’s Main Event: Full Match Card
Tomorrow night, WWE presents Saturday Night’s Main Event from the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., headlined by the final match of John Cena’s career.
- John Cena’s Final Match: John Cena vs. Gunther
- Champion vs. Champion: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi
- World Tag Team Championship: AJ Styles & Dragon Lee (c) vs. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater
- Singles Match: Bayley vs. Sol Ruca
.@CodyRhodes đź‘€ @Obaofwwe
Tensions are running high ahead of Saturday Night's Main Event… pic.twitter.com/1nKU7UQL1h
— WWE (@WWE) December 13, 2025
