Less than 24 hours before Wrestlepalooza, WWE presented Friday Night SmackDown from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. The show featured an appearance from Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes. Sami Zayn’s US Title Open Challenge continued with a fresh opponent in Carmelo Hayes. Let’s delve into the details of WWE SmackDown, September 19 Results.
The Beast is unleashed
The show kicked off with Michael Cole and Corey Graves on the commentary. It was revealed that Cole was scheduled to interview Brock Lesnar later tonight, but the Beast Incarnate wanted the interview to happen right now. Cole was ready to go for the interview, but Brock made his entrance. He grabbed Michael and threw him into the ring. Corey came in and begged Lesnar. Brock put down Cole and delivered F-5 to Graves.
Lesnar grabbed the camera and said that he’s coming for John Cena and he’s coming for blood tomorrow. Brock destroyed the Prime hydration center at ringside. The officials tried to stop The Beast. Lesnar came back into the ring and destroyed Graves with another F-5. Lesnar called out Cena on camera before leaving.
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was a chaotic start to SmackDown. Lesnar was advertised for an interview, but WWE planned this shocker to open the show. John Cena was absent. WWE avoided any promo segment between Cena and Lesnar. These two will battle tomorrow night in the opener of Wrestlepalooza.
Backstage
Brock Lesnar walked into the ring with Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed. Lesnar told Heyman that they should have a conversation and walked off. Nick Aldis told The Vision to cause no problems tonight. Additionally, Michael Cole returned to commentary and expressed concern about Cena’s health for tomorrow’s match. He said that the doctors were checking Graves.
Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair (c) vs Chelsea Green & Alba Fyre – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships
Charlotte Flair started with a big boot against Chelsea Green. Alexa Bliss tagged in and landed a rolling senton splash. Flair took out Alba Fyre, and Bliss landed another rolling senton splash. Green and Fyre double-teamed Alexa for a while. They landed a front suplex. Chelsea delivered a clothesline, followed by a snapmare by Alba.
Bliss delivered a DDT to Green. The Miz has joined Michael Cole on the commentary. Charlotte got the hot tag and delivered multiple clotheslines and chops. The Queen hit an exploder suplex on Alba and a big boot on Chelsea. In the end, the champions delivered stereo Natural Selections to retain the titles.
Winners: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss
Grades: B-
Analysis: It was a decent tag team match from the women’s division. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair’s pairing was successful initially, but they have barely done meaningful things as champions. The Secret Hervice of Chelsea Green is an entertaining thing on TV.
Backstage
Street Profits were in the back talking about their situation. B-Fab told Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins to get on the same page to win the tag team titles. Bo Dallas appeared there. Ford told him not to mess with them. Dallas said that they are lost souls, and he’d guide them. In the meantime, Erik Rowan attacked Ford and Dawkins. Elsewhere, R-Truth was promoting the ESPN app.
The Vision vs Fraxiom
Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed attacked Fraxiom during the entrance. Paul Heyman entered the ring and did his usual introduction. Heyman issued a warning to The Usos in the Samoan language. Fraxiom bounced back with stereo missile dropkicks and suicide dives on The Vision. Nick Aldis made the match. The action started after the break, and Bron delivered a belly-to-belly suplex and a vicious clothesline to Axiom. Heyman was talking to Seth Rollins on his phone. Bronson got the tag and landed a senton splash.
Nathan Frazier charged in after the tag and hit a springboard missile dropkick on Reed, followed by a frog splash for a two-count. Reed laid out Frazer with Jagged Edge. Bronson climbed to the top rope, where Axiom attempted a Spanish Fly. Reed used his strength and threw Axiom off the top rope right into a spear from Breakker. Reed crushed Axiom with a Tsunami for the win. The Usos appeared in a video package from the venue of Wrestlepalooza. The twins said that they’re ready for The Vision.
Winners: The Vision (Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed)
Grades: B
Analysis: It was solid stuff from The Vision. Paul Heyman’s presence made the necessary difference and fulfilled what Reed and Breakker were missing in the past few weeks. The mini-interaction between Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar earlier on the show will have a meaning in the future. Fraxiom is a brilliant team and should be used more often. The Usos have reached Indianapolis, and they’re the favourites for WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025 Predictions.
Triple Threat Program for WWE Women’s Championship
Nia Jax made her entrance to explain her attack on Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill on last week’s SmackDown. Jax called Toledo a disgusting town. She said that she’s the Alpha Female of the women’s division. Nia mocked Tiffany’s catchphrase and said that she put the women’s champion in Tiffy timeout last week. Jax made fun of Jade Cargill’s in ring skills and said that she’d annihilate any storm any time.
Tiffany Stratton came out to the stage and said that everyone is sick of Jax running her mouth. Stratton wanted to show her why she’s the champion. The officials ran down to stop her. Jade Cargill rushed to the ring and attacked the security. Nick Aldis appeared to make a triple threat match official for next week.
Grades: C
Analysis: It was a short segment with a dull promo from Nia Jax. This program is not interesting, and the crowd was not much invested. Tiffany Stratton’s run is stale, but WWE has no plans for the WWE Women’s title so far. Next week, it’ll be a triple threat match.
Sami Zayn (c) vs Carmelo Hayes – WWE United States Championship
It was back-and-forth action from the start. Carmelo Hayes landed a dropkick and a springboard leg drop. Zayn responded with a lariat and a double axe handle off the middle rope. The champion delivered punches in the corner, followed by a tornado DDT for a two-count. Sami followed it with a Michinoku Driver for a close fall. Hayes avoided the Vertical Suplex and attempted a frog splash. Zayn got his knees up and prepared for a Helluva Kick.
Hayes responded with a superkick. Zayn delivered a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Hayes bounced back with a DDT and a frog splash for a close fall. Hayes avoided the Blue Thunder Bomb and delivered First 48 and Final Cut for another near fall. Zayn prevented the Nothin’ but Net and landed a Blue Thunder Bomb for the victory.
Winner: Sami Zayn
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was a fantastic match. The best thing about the US Open Challenge is that we get to see fresh and great-quality matches every week. Sami Zayn has the potential to carve his own history with this run. It was good to see Carmelo Hayes getting an opportunity.
Backstage
Kit Wilson wasn’t happy with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis about not getting opportunities on the blue brand. Damian Priest interrupted and asked for Aleister Black. He insisted on facing Black, or everyone else would feel his wrath. Wilson tried to interfere, but Priest sent him through the wall.
Contract Signing for the Undisputed WWE Championship match
In the main event of SmackDown, Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre were scheduled to sign the contract for their match at Wrestlepalooza. Nick Aldis announced that the match for the Undisputed WWE Championship will be the main event of Wrestlepalooza. Drew McIntyre made his entrance. The American Nightmare came out soon after him. Cody Rhodes reminded Drew of their tag team titles’ win 15 years ago today.
Rhodes praised McIntyre and mentioned his accomplishments. However, he said that the Scottish Warrior has turned into a Keyboard Warrior now. Cody asked him to complain online. Drew pulled his phone and hilariously tweeted “Thank You Cody” right there. McIntyre said that he always wanted a clean shot at the world title, and he would get one now. Drew said that Cody’s a company guy and a corporate champion, but the fans would turn on him one day.
Both stars signed the contract. McIntyre delivered a Glasgow Kiss to Rhodes, sending him out of the ring. Drew thought of a Claymore through the table, but didn’t do it to not put tomorrow’s match in jeopardy. Drew posed with the title and left. As he was walking away, Cody landed a suicide dive. Both competitors started a brawl before the officials tried to separate them. McIntyre laid out Rhodes to close out the show.
Grades: B
Analysis: It was a fine segment to close the show. Drew McIntyre is one of the best performers of this era. The contract signings mostly end in chaos, and this one was no different. The hype is enough for Wrestlepalooza, with the opening and closing match being official by WWE. The Undisputed WWE Title match in the main event raises the expectations. Could WWE be planning a title change?
What are your thoughts on WWE SmackDown September 19 Results?
