Storylines to watch on WWE SmackDown tonight: Wrestlepalooza aftermath; Women's title clash & more (September 26, 2025)

Tonight’s episode of SmackDown will feature a high-stakes title match!

Tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown is set to air live from the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. The show will feature the aftermath of Wrestlepalooza PLE, while kicking off the build-up to the upcoming Crown Jewel show.

Multiple stars, including Cody Rhodes, Tiffany Stratton, Randy Orton, Charlotte Flair, Drew McIntyre, and Sami Zayn, are being advertised for the show. The WWE Women’s title will also be contested in a triple-threat match tonight.

Ahead of tonight’s show in Orlando, Florida, let us take a look at the top five storylines that will be in play on this week’s WWE SmackDown.

5. What’s next for Drew McIntyre?

Despite his best efforts, Drew McIntyre failed in his attempt to pin Cody Rhodes and capture the Undisputed title in the main event of Wrestleplaooza. McIntyre has been unable to capture the World title since last year’s WrestleMania, when his title reign was cut short by Damian Priest.

Cody Rhodes is currently busy feuding with Seth Rollins ahead of their Crown Jewel title clash at the namesake PLE. It would be interesting to see what WWE decides to do with McIntyre.

Also Read: WWE SmackDown after Wrestlepalooza 2025: Preview, match card, news, timings & where to watch

4. Wrestlepalooza aftermath

WWE kicked off the ESPN era for its PLE last weekend with the inaugural edition of Wrestlepalooza, which emanated from Indianapolis. The show featured two title clashes along with a tag team match, a mixed-tag team match, and a singles clash between John Cena and Brock Lesnar.

As mentioned, tonight’s episode of SmackDown will serve as the fallout show from the PLE and will feature the developments that transpired during the show last weekend.

3. U.S title open challenge

United States Champion Sami Zayn kicked off the United States title open challenge on the September 5 episode of SmackDown, and to pay homage to the original creator of the challenge, Zayn offered a title shot to John Cena.

Zayn last week defended the title successfully against Carmelo Hayes. However, he is yet to give Solo Sikoa his rematch. Solo has been cutting eerie promos in recent weeks and might decide to act upon his hopes of regaining the title.

2. Women’s title clash

WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton is set to defend the title in a triple-threat match against Nia Jax and Jade Cargill. The match was made official last week and was originally scheduled for Wrestlepalooza, but was postponed due to Stratton not being cleared to compete.

Despite many fans expressing frustration over WWE’s decision to give Nia Jax another shot against Stratton and the lack of a solid storyline for Stratton, the triple-threat match is still expected to deliver in terms of in-ring action and intensity.

Also Read: All superstars confirmed for WWE SmackDown after Wrestlepalooza 2025: Tiffany Stratton; Sami Zayn; Jade Cargill & more

1. Crown Jewel 2025

As mentioned, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes is set to battle World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins in a Champion vs Champion match for the men’s Crown Jewel title.

On the other hand, the winner of the triple-threat match tonight will battle Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer in a ‘Champion vs Champion’ match for the WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Championship. WWE will also likely start building new matches and feuds, which would culminate at the PLE.

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