Here’s a shocking twist that’ll leave you questioning everything: WWE SmackDown just turned the wrestling world upside down with a night of chaos, controversy, and a title match that ended in utter disbelief. But here’s where it gets controversial—was Drew McIntyre really behind Jacob Fatu’s brutal backstage assault, or is there more to this story than meets the eye? Let’s dive in.
On October 17, 2025, WWE SmackDown delivered a rollercoaster of emotions, kicking off with a bombshell announcement from General Manager Nick Aldis. The planned No. 1 contender’s match between Jacob Fatu, dubbed The Samoan Werewolf, and Drew McIntyre was set to determine the next challenger for Cody Rhodes’ undisputed WWE Championship. Rhodes himself hyped the main event, but little did anyone know, the night would take a dark turn.
And this is the part most people miss—when Fatu’s music hit during the main event, he was nowhere to be found. Backstage cameras revealed a gruesome scene: Fatu lay bloodied, beaten, and missing teeth, with WWE personnel rushing to his aid. McIntyre, seemingly unfazed, marched to the ring, demanding to be crowned the default No. 1 contender. Aldis grilled McIntyre about the assault, but the Scotsman denied any involvement, leaving fans divided. Was he telling the truth, or was this a calculated move to seize his shot at the title?
Cody Rhodes, seething with anger and still dressed in a shirt and slacks, stormed the ring to confront McIntyre. In a heated exchange, Rhodes challenged McIntyre to an impromptu title match, and the two erupted into a brawl that spilled into the crowd before returning ringside. The referee officially started the match, but it was short-lived. Rhodes, fueled by rage, struck McIntyre with the title belt, resulting in a disqualification. Here’s the kicker: while Rhodes retained the title (since it can’t change hands via DQ), the match left fans wondering—was this the right moment for WWE to shake things up?
Post-match, the rivalry intensified as Rhodes dove off the corner post onto McIntyre and security guards, proving this feud is far from over. But let’s address the elephant in the room: WWE’s creative choices. Fatu’s sudden disappearance after his return feels rushed, and revisiting Rhodes vs. McIntyre so soon after Wrestlepalooza screams of creative laziness. WWE seems hesitant to pull the trigger on McIntyre’s push, making this storyline feel stale. The impromptu match was the perfect opportunity for a title change, giving McIntyre a brief reign and adding depth to the narrative. Instead, WWE played it safe—again.
Bold statement alert: WWE’s habit of building momentum only to backtrack is becoming a pattern. Aleister Black’s huge win last week was reduced to a vignette, the Wyatt Sicks and MFTs rehashed old feuds, and Sami Zayn continues to be sidelined. Speaking of Zayn, his U.S. Championship loss to Ilja Dragunov—in Dragunov’s first match back after 13 months—was a highlight, but the post-match attack by the MFTs and the Wyatt Sicks’ appearance felt like a rehash of last week’s drama. Grade: C-.
Other notable moments included Solo Sikoa and the MFTs attacking Rey Fenix backstage, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair retaining the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships against Sol Ruca and Zaria, and the Motor City Machine Guns defeating Los Garza. But the night’s biggest question remains: Is WWE afraid to take risks, or are they saving their bold moves for later? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think McIntyre deserves the title shot, or is WWE dropping the ball? One thing’s for sure: SmackDown just set the stage for a fiery debate.
