WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis announced via social media that a major championship match has been signed for Saturday Night's Main Event. Following the chaotic events of the October 17 edition of SmackDown, Cody Rhodes will defend the WWE Undisputed Championship against Drew McIntyre. The match will take place at Saturday Night's Main Event on November 1, 2025, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The decision stems directly from the unresolved conflict that closed last week's SmackDown. That show was scheduled to feature a match between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu. However, before the match could begin, cameras cut backstage, revealing Fatu had been attacked and was left bloodied on the ground. This was an angle to write Fatu off television to cover for a legitimate injury.
As WWE officials, including Nick Aldis, checked on Fatu, McIntyre's music played, and he proceeded to the ring. McIntyre denied any involvement in the attack and demanded that Aldis give him the number one contender's match he felt he deserved. Before a decision could be made, WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes interrupted.
Rhodes walked to the aisle and directly accused McIntyre of orchestrating the attack on Fatu. Rhodes told McIntyre, "if he wants the title that bad, come and get it." This led to an immediate brawl between the two, which spilled around the ringside area and eventually turned into an official, impromptu match. The contest was chaotic and ended when Rhodes struck McIntyre with his championship title, causing a disqualification.
The fight did not stop after the bell. Rhodes cleared the announce table, but McIntyre raked his eyes. Rhodes slammed McIntyre's head on the table and attempted a Cross Rhodes. Referees rushed to the ring to separate the two, but Rhodes broke free and dove over the top rope onto McIntyre and the officials to end the show. Aldis's announcement makes this matchup official, adding it to a card that already includes CM Punk versus Jey Uso for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship.