Quick Read
- Randy Orton made a surprise return, saving Cody Rhodes from a two-on-one attack.
- Street Profits became No. 1 contenders for the WWE Tag Team Titles.
- Giulia and Kiana James won in women’s tag action.
- Sami Zayn retained the United States Championship against Je’Von Evans.
- Tiffany Stratton kept her Women’s Championship in a triple threat match.
Randy Orton’s Dramatic Return Ignites SmackDown
The air inside Orlando’s Kia Center on September 26 was electric long before the opening bell. Fans poured in, anticipating fireworks from a stacked card, but few could predict just how quickly the night would erupt. The show kicked off not with Cody Rhodes, but with Paul Heyman—ever the provocateur—stirring the crowd with talk of Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns’ absence, and Brock Lesnar’s looming shadow. The audience’s response was immediate, their energy matching Heyman’s barbs. Yet before he could fan the flames further, the unmistakable theme of Cody Rhodes blared through the speakers.
Cody, the reigning WWE Champion, strode down the ramp to a hero’s ovation. The crowd, swept up in the moment, sang along to his music and chanted his name. Rhodes wasted no time, zeroing in on Heyman and the swirling rumors around Brock Lesnar. He challenged Heyman’s loyalty, asking whether he was the Oracle, the Wiseman, or merely the Advocate. Heyman, never one to shy from a verbal duel, deflected with characteristic bravado—proclaiming himself the GOAT and reminding everyone that Lesnar’s absence didn’t guarantee safety.
Suddenly, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed stormed the ring, tipping the scales. The tension was palpable. Cody, undaunted, squared up against both men—an act of defiance that sent the crowd into a frenzy. But numbers don’t lie. Rhodes was quickly overwhelmed, the odds stacked against him. And then, in a moment that will be replayed for years, Randy Orton’s music hit. The Viper, absent for months, charged to the ring. With surgical precision, Orton unleashed his signature RKO on Reed and cleared Breakker, turning a potential beatdown into a rallying cry. Cody and Orton stood tall, a united front against chaos.
As reported by News18, Orton’s return wasn’t just a rescue—it was a seismic shift in SmackDown’s landscape. The crowd’s roar echoed long after the dust settled, setting the tone for a night of unpredictability and high stakes.
Tag Team Turmoil: Street Profits Seize Opportunity
The momentum from the opening segment carried into the first match of the night, where The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) faced off against Miz and Carmelo Hayes for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Championships. The contest was fast-paced and fiercely competitive, each team desperate for a place at the top. Tensions flared, especially between Miz and Hayes, whose miscommunications opened the door for the Profits. Ultimately, Ford soared with a frog splash on Miz, securing the victory and earning his team the coveted No. 1 contender status.
But celebration was short-lived. The Profits’ triumph was met with an ominous stare-down from the Wyatt Sicks, hinting at future confrontations and new chapters in SmackDown’s tag team saga.
Women’s Division: Power Shifts and New Challenges
The spotlight then shifted to the women’s division, where Giulia and Kiana James clashed with Michin and B-Fab. Giulia’s presence was commanding; her Northern Lights Bomb proved decisive, earning her team the win. Backstage, anticipation mounted for the night’s main event—a triple threat for the WWE Women’s Championship featuring reigning champ Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, and Nia Jax.
Before the showdown, Stephanie Vaquer made her intentions clear: she would challenge the winner at Crown Jewel, raising the stakes even higher. The main event itself was a whirlwind of athleticism and drama. Nia Jax used her power to dominate early, but Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton demonstrated resilience and cunning. The match spilled outside the ring, saw bodies fly, and even a referee miscue that nearly cost Stratton her title. In the end, Stratton executed her Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Jax, pinning her to retain the championship.
As SmackDown drew to a close, Stephanie Vaquer confronted Stratton in the ring—both champions holding their titles aloft, promising a collision at Crown Jewel that could reshape the women’s division.
Rivalries Intensify: McIntyre’s Outburst and Zayn’s Defense
Backstage drama added fuel to the fire throughout the night. Drew McIntyre, still reeling from his Wrestlepalooza defeat, vented his frustrations at referee Ryan Tran and accused Cody Rhodes of corruption. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis intervened, but it was Jacob Fatu who escalated the situation—snatching McIntyre’s mic and trading blows, leaving McIntyre laid out. The segment underscored the volatile emotions simmering beneath the surface as Crown Jewel approaches.
Meanwhile, Sami Zayn stepped up for a United States Championship open challenge, answered by NXT’s rising star Je’Von Evans. The match was a technical showcase, with Evans pushing Zayn to his limits. After a flurry of close calls, Zayn’s experience shone through as he landed the Blue Thunder Bomb, retaining his championship. The sportsmanship on display—Zayn raising Evans’ hand—reminded fans of the respect that still exists amidst fierce competition.
Elsewhere, Chelsea Green tried (unsuccessfully) to recruit Nia Jax to her faction, while Aleister Black attacked Damian Priest backstage, vowing that their rivalry would only end when one was left standing.
The Road to Crown Jewel: Anticipation Builds
Looking ahead, SmackDown laid the groundwork for Crown Jewel, the next premium live event—this year, for the first time, hosted in Perth, Australia. Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes are poised for a high-stakes clash for the men’s Crown Jewel title, while Stephanie Vaquer awaits the winner of Stratton’s championship defense. John Cena’s retirement tour continues, with a blockbuster match against AJ Styles on the horizon.
As Indian Express notes, these shifting alliances and brewing rivalries are a microcosm of WWE’s current landscape. Old heroes return, new contenders emerge, and every segment feels like a prelude to something bigger.
In summary, WWE SmackDown’s September 26 edition was more than just another Friday night—it was a masterclass in storytelling, athleticism, and surprise. With Randy Orton’s return, the rise of new contenders, and the women’s division heating up, fans are left counting the days until Crown Jewel. The journey has only just begun.
Orton’s return wasn’t merely a nostalgic pop—it was a statement that, in WWE, legacies are forged and rewritten in moments of crisis. SmackDown’s blend of chaos and opportunity proves why the blue brand remains the heart of wrestling’s ever-evolving drama.