WWE Friday Night SmackDown on the USA Network | September 12th, 2025 — The Episode Recap:

The WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was hammering away at Drew McIntyre as he made his return to get at the man who took him out of action for a month. (Photo by WWE)

The September 12th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — Match Results:

The Opening Match: Sami Zayn (c) defeated Rey Fenix in a WWE United States Title Match | via Pin-Fall — (15:47)

The 2nd Match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill in a WWE Women’s Title Match | via Double Count Out — (11:23)

The Main Event Match: Drew McIntyre defeated Randy Orton in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (17:10)

My Thoughts on the September 12th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:

My Thoughts: This was an excellent episode of SmackDown. I appreciated that the show highlighted matches featuring some of the brand’s top talent, something that has been lacking since Road Dogg took over as showrunner. The WWE United States Open Challenge, led by Sami Zayn, has been successful so far, with Sami Zayn and Rey Fenix delivering an outstanding match. Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton also had an entertaining bout, although it ended in a double count-out. The main event was engaging, as Drew McIntyre secured a win over Randy Orton. WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his return, announcing a match at Wrestlepalooza against Drew McIntyre for the WWE Title. Overall, this was an enjoyable episode, and credit is given where due. However, I still believe Road Dogg’s contributions to Creative continue to hinder the show’s overall quality.

The September 12th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match Ratings:

The Opening Match: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Rey Fenix in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: ****.50 — This was such an amazing match. Sami Zayn having his own WWE US Open Challenge is going to spike the quality of SmackDown upward, as fresh challengers and fun matches can come from this, which we have seen so far with John Cena, and now Rey Fenix. This match was such a hoot. I loved how Rey Fenix was in this match. This was easily his best one-on-one match in WWE since arriving in April of this year. Rey Fenix came out of this match looking like a bigger star, as this match, in my opinion, elevated him even more in WWE, but he's stuck on SmackDown, so I doubt Road Dogg will capitalize on Rey Fenix's performance by keeping him on TV to build up some more. But this was such an amazing match, easily one of WWE's Best TV Matches of the Year. I can't wait for next week as it seems ike Carmelo Hayes is next in line for a shot at Sami Zayn's WWE United States Title.

The 2nd Match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill in a WWE Women’s Title Match | The Match Rating: ***.25 — Shockingly, Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton have some solid chemistry with each other. This match was flowing well in my opinion. I liked how Jade Cargill looked in this match as she looked much better in the ring, or maybe Tiffany Stratton helped her out, I don't know, but this match ended in a Double Count Out to protect both women. Nia Jax has attacked Tiffany Stratton for the thousandth time as she is feuding with her again, which is garbage because they have been on-and-off feuding since January. Please end this, it's awful and not even fun, just garbage creative.

The Main Event Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: **** — A fun TV Main Event Match featuring two of the best superstars from the SmackDown Brand. Please do this more. Having two big-name Main Eventers on the shows weekly actually makes the shows enjoyable, Road Dogg. But this match was good, way better than the Saturday Night Main Event Match. Drew McIntyre got the win with a Claymore, but after the match, he wanted to inflict more damage on Randy Orton. However, the WWE Champion Cody Rhodes returned and attacked Drew McIntyre, announcing at WWE Wrestlepalooza that they'll battle, and the WWE Title will be on the line, which I'm quite excited about.

The September 12th WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match of the Night: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Rey Fenix in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: ****.50

The September 12th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Episode Grade: 7.50/10 (B) — This was a very fine Episode of SmackDown. This is what I liked about this show. I like the fact that the matches on the show were featured with some of the top names of the brand, which SmackDown hasn’t done much of as of late, since Road Dogg took over. Sanu Zatn WWE United States Open Challenge is a success so far, as Sami Zayn and Rey Fenuix had an amazing match with each other. Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton had a very fun match, but it ended in a. Double Count Out. The Main Event was pretty fun as Drew McIntyre got the win over Randy Orton with the WWE Champion Cody Rhodes making his return, announcing a match at Wrestlepalooza against Drew McIntyre for his WWE Title. A fun episode, and I give what credit is due, but please get rid of Road Dogg from Creative; he’s still putrid and dragging the show down a lot.

Next Week WWE Friday Night SmackDown September 19th Episode — The Announced Matches & Segments:

1. Sami Zayn (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes in a WWE United States Title Match.