Drew McIntyre Pummels Cody Rhodes After Tense Pre-Wrestlepalooza Confrontation on SmackDown

Ahead of their WWE title match at Wrestlepalooza, Cody Rhodes gets taken out by Drew McIntyre on the September 19th segment of SmackDown.

Drew McIntyre Pummels Cody Rhodes After Tense Pre-Wrestlepalooza Confrontation on SmackDown

Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes (via WWE)

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Wrestlepalooza is shaping up to be a must-watch event. On the go-home edition of SmackDown from Ohio, two of the night’s biggest matches delivered intense moments. Brock Lesnar lived up to his reputation, leaving a trail of destruction in his path. Meanwhile, Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes signed their contract for their showdown, with tensions boiling over as the two got physical on their way out.

For those unversed, the upcoming PLE marks WWE’s debut on ESPN after the company signed a historic $1.6 billion deal following the expiration of its Peacock agreement with Clash in Paris. The closing segment began with Nick Aldis in the ring for the Championship contract signing, introducing McIntyre first as the challenger. 

The Scotsman entered and grabbed a mic, but before he could speak, Rhodes interrupted. ‘The American Nightmare’ immediately brought up a moment from fifteen years ago, when he and McIntyre won the tag titles as the Dashing Ones, pointing out that the world doesn’t revolve around them but around the fans. 

He stressed that sometimes fans just want to watch two of the best compete, without knowing the backstory. Acknowledging McIntyre’s accomplishments, including being a former Royal Rumble winner, former WWE Champion, and slayer of Lesnar at WrestleMania 36, Rhodes accused him of recently being more of a keyboard warrior. 

Lately, the Scottish Warrior has been a keyboard warrior. Pull your phone out. Make a post on social media. You’re always bi**hing, moaning, and whining.

Cody Rhodes on SmackDown

McIntyre responded by showing a tweet thanking Rhodes and insisting all he wanted was a fair shot at the title, confident the reigning champion would honor that. He also called out Rhodes as a corporate champion who only cares about the brand image and stock prices, and reminded him that he had previously taken Rhodes out for five weeks by putting him through an announce table. 

Instead of retaliating physically this time, McIntyre said Rhodes chose to talk him to death. Still, he understood the reigning title holder was trying to set up a memorable Wrestlepalooza main event. He added that the fans would turn on Rhodes once he was done with him. ‘The American Nightmare’ countered, saying that if the Scotsman loses tomorrow, his legacy would be defined as the man who lost to him on the first ESPN show.

The tension boiled over as both men signed the contract. As soon as it happened, McIntyre headbutted Rhodes, overturned the table, and they brawled on the floor. He stopped short of putting Rhodes through the desk again, instead getting in his face and vowing to leave him ready for tomorrow’s title match. 

Aldis tried to intervene at the base of the ramp, but Rhodes dove at McIntyre for more brawling. Referees and road agents swarmed the scene, but McIntyre managed to knock the champ out with a boot and stomped him on the forehead. Getting close to the fallen champion, ‘The Scottish Psychopath’ warned Rhodes to sleep with the title, declaring it would be the last time he holds it for a long time.

Cody Rhodes reveals his picks for the wrestlers who had the most chemistry with WWE fans

Cody Rhodes has been the face of WWE since his memorable return at WrestleMania 38 in 2022. Since then, ‘The American Nightmare’ has main-evented every WrestleMania as the company’s top star. He even dethroned John Cena to win his second WWE Championship at SummerSlam, in what many saw as a passing of the torch from Cena, who dominated the era between 2005 and 2014.

A big part of Rhodes’ success comes from the electrifying crowd reactions he receives whenever he enters an arena. As soon as his Kingdom theme hits, fans erupt with full intensity. His promos and in-ring psychology have allowed him to connect with audiences like few others. However, when asked who he thinks had the best chemistry with the fans, Rhodes gave a different answer.

Cody Rhodes, Shawn Michaels and Hulk Hogan
Cody Rhodes, Shawn Michaels, and Hulk Hogan (via WWE)

In an interview with ESPN’s First Take, the reigning WWE Champion named Shawn Michaels and the late Hulk Hogan as the two performers who connected most with the audience. While he set aside his father, Dusty Rhodes, due to their personal bond, he singled out HBK and Hogan for their unparalleled fan connection.

If it’s about the people caring about you when you’re up and when you’re down, who would it be? I’m going to go somewhere between, just in my moment right now, Shawn Michaels and Hulk Hogan.

Cody Rhodes via ESPN’s First Take

He explained that both Michaels and Hogan were able to make fans fully invested in their story. When Michaels was down, fans would scream at the top of their lungs, expecting him to rise and deliver Sweet Chin Music for a spectacular comeback. Additionally, the same held true for Hogan.

And that’s the whole thing—they got to be with you when you’re down, they got to be with you when you’re up. That’s the beauty of it.

Cody Rhodes via ESPN’s First Take

While WWE has seen countless electrifying stars like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Eddie Guerrero, it’s hard to dispute Rhodes’ perspective on fan connection and chemistry.

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