The September 19, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown served as the go-home show before Wrestlepalooza, packing intense moments, shocking segments, and hard-hitting matches. While the night delivered memorable highlights, there were also aspects that left fans wishing for more. Here’s an in-depth look at three things we loved and three things we hated from SmackDown, live from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.
Three Things We Loved
1. Brock Lesnar’s Intense Opening Segment
The show opened with an electric and chaotic Brock Lesnar moment that set the tone for the evening. Originally scheduled for an interview backstage with Michael Cole, Lesnar instead ambushed Cole on the ramp, carrying him back to the ring. After releasing Cole, Lesnar unleashed an F5 on commentator Corey Graves when he tried to intervene. Lesnar then proceeded to trash the ringside setup, including destroying the PRIME Hydration Station, while declaring with ferocity, “John, I’m coming for you. It’s D-Day tomorrow, I’m coming for blood!” This raw display of dominance not only thrilled fans but also heightened the anticipation for his Wrestlepalooza showdown with John Cena[1][2][4][6].
2. WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
The tag team champions Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair successfully defended their titles against Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre. After a hard-fought battle, Flair secured the win with her signature Natural Selection on Green. This match was a strong reminder of the depth and athleticism in the women’s tag division, featuring crisp teamwork and intense offense from both teams. The successful defense by Flair and Bliss continues to build momentum for their reign and sets the stage for future challengers[2][3][5].
3. Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes Contract Signing and Brawl
The high-stakes contract signing for the Undisputed WWE Championship match at Wrestlepalooza between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes stole the show later in the evening. The segment was charged with tension as both superstars cut sharp promos. The fireworks culminated in a physical altercation after they signed the contract, escalating their rivalry right before the big event. This confrontation added emotional weight and excitement to the upcoming title bout, energizing the crowd and fans watching at home[2][4][7].
Three Things We Hated
1. Overly Chaotic Lesnar Segment Overshadowed Other Storylines
While Brock Lesnar’s opening was entertaining, its extreme chaos had a downside. The segment’s destruction and repeated F5 moves on announcers, although spectacular, dominated the early show and somewhat overshadowed other storylines and matches that needed more focus. Some fans and critics felt the segment was too over-the-top, distracting from the buildup to Wrestlepalooza’s other key matches[1][4].
2. Lack of Development for Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes US Title Match
Although Carmelo Hayes accepted Sami Zayn’s open challenge for the United States Championship, the match and buildup lacked compelling storytelling on this episode. The segment did not adequately convey the stakes or showcase strategic depth, making their encounter feel more like a placeholder on the card rather than a must-watch main event contender fight. Future SmackDown episodes will need to add more layers to this rivalry to enhance interest[2][3].
3. Missed Opportunity to Highlight NXT and Next-Gen Talent
Despite Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre’s involvement in the Women’s Tag Title match—and the mention of their Secret Hervice faction’s earlier attack on the champions—the show fell short in fully leveraging fresh talent from NXT or future stars. SmackDown’s main roster spotlight dominated the program, leaving little room for developing emerging wrestlers. This imbalance could hinder the growth of younger talents and the long-term product vitality[2][3][5].
Backstage Insights and Future Implications
According to a WWE insider close to the SmackDown creative team, the Lesnar segment was intentionally booked as a “hard-hitting wake-up call” to kick off the Wrestlepalooza weekend, signaling the “serious stakes and unmatched intensity” coming to the grand stage. However, some backstage voices expressed concern over the segment’s length and destructiveness potentially diluting other narratives[4].
Sources close to both Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes revealed that the contract signing brawl was partially improvised, with both superstars wanting to raise the emotional authenticity before their marquee title clash. WWE.com highlighted this moment as a “defining preview” of their Wrestlepalooza conflict, showing “passion and rivalry at its finest”[2].
Fightful reported post-show that Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss are expected to continue their reign as women’s tag champions well into 2026, with plans to elevate Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre’s faction storyline to a major feud, addressing earlier criticisms of underutilized younger talent[3].
What’s Next?
The Wrestlepalooza pay-per-view promises to be explosive following this SmackDown. Fans should expect:
- A heavyweight collision between Brock Lesnar and John Cena with high physicality and personal stakes.
- The Undisputed WWE Championship match between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes to be a fiercely competitive bout fueled by last night’s contract fracas.
- Continued development of the Women’s Tag Team division with new angles involving Chelsea Green’s faction.
- A possible reinvigoration of the United States Title scene depending on Sami Zayn and Carmelo Hayes’s future interactions.
In conclusion, the September 19 episode of WWE SmackDown delivered a mix of adrenaline-pumping segments and matches along with areas needing refinement. Brock Lesnar’s dominating presence and the Rhodes vs. McIntyre contract signing provided the standout moments, while some storytelling and talent promotion felt secondary. With Wrestlepalooza just around the corner, WWE SmackDown is poised to set the stage for a weekend full of unforgettable moments.
For continued coverage, follow WWE.com, Wrestling Inc., Fightful, and trusted wrestling podcasts as Wrestlepalooza unfolds.