WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (October 17, 2025): Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre clash in brutal brawl following attack on Jacob Fatu; Ilja Dragunov returns to capture US title & more
(Courtesy : WWE.com)
MCMG celebrate their WWE anniversary; Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss retain & more!
The October 17 episode of Friday Night SmackDown aired live from the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The episode served as the fallout show from the Crown Jewel PLE, which concluded on October 11 in Perth, Australia.
Multiple top names, including Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Tiffany Stratton, Sami Zayn, Jade Cargill, and Jacob Fatu, among others, were advertised for the show. The show featured a grudge match, a WWE Tag Team title match, and an appearance by Cody Rhodes.
Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winners’ list for the 10/17 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
Cody Rhodes addresses the Crown Jewel loss
General Manager Nick Aldis opened the show in the ring, announcing that the clash between Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre had now been made the #1 Contender match for the Undisputed Title. Aldis then introduced Cody Rhodes, who made his entrance to address his loss at Crown Jewel.
Cody began by acknowledging that Seth Rollins had defeated him for the Crown Jewel title. He reflected on their two-year-long rivalry and stated that after everything they’d been through, they should be in the ring together again. However, he pointed out that that’s not how things work in WWE.
Rhodes then shifted focus, mentioning that Rollins now had both a Vision and an Oracle problem. He assured the fans that while Seth would take care of his business, he’d handle his own on SmackDown. The Champion then hyped the crowd for the upcoming #1 Contender’s match between Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre.
He mentioned Drew, which led to boos from the crowd, before bringing up the Samoan Werewolf, causing a massive pop from the audience. Rhodes concluded by saying that no matter how things shook out, he would be ready, and that the road to Saturday Night’s Main Event would run right through San Jose.
Grade: C
Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Backstage, Solo Sikoa alongside his MFTs stormed up on Rey Fenix, who was in the middle of a photoshoot. Solo demanded that Fenix should he clear the way. Fenix refused to back down and in response the MFTs to attacked, tossing Fenix into a road case.
Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss (c) vs Zaria & Sol Ruca – WWE Tag Team titles match
In the first match of the show, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss defended the titles against NXT’s Sol Ruca and Zaria. The challengers isolated Bliss to control the pace of the match, but a hot tag changed things as Charlotte charged in.
Ruca turned the tide hitting the Sol Snatcher but Alexa broke the pin. Blake Monroe who was sitting in the front row casued the distraction, which helped Flair attack Ruca’s legs and lock in the figure-eight, forcing Ruca to tap and retain the titles.
Winner & Still: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
Grade: B-
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Blake Monroe was in the front row during the match and the commentary continued to hype up her clash against Sol Ruca at NXT’s Halloween Havoc.
- Backstage, Jacob Fatu told Cody Rhodes that he would be coming for him once he was done “dog walking” Drew McIntyre in the main event. After delivering the message, Fatu shook Cody’s hand.
- Aleister Black & Zelina Vega delivered a promo. He said everything he’s done has been carefully planned, and he’s never felt more accomplished than when he reunited with his wife. He called their reunion the inevitable truth, adding that no one is more strategic or dangerous than Zelina. He said they’re not the infection but the reflection of it, and that some might call them a necessary evil. He finished by saying the venom isn’t poison, it’s salvation.
Sami Zayn (c) vs Ilja Dragunov – US title match
Backstage, The Miz was talking with Nick Aldis, saying he wanted something big to happen. Sami Zayn walked in, complaining about not being included on the show. Nick acknowledged Zayn’s support for the US Open Challenge but pointed out that Shinsuke Nakamura deserved a proper rematch, though he was still in Japan.
He also mentioned that the MFTs had already caused enough chaos, and he wasn’t about to hand Sami an easy opportunity. Zayn disagreed, saying it mattered to him, the fans, and the locker room, which was hungry for chances. He apologized but made it clear he was going out there to defend it that night, regardless.
The Miz answered Zayn’s challenge and complained about open challenges treating the championship like a charity, when Carmelo Hayes attacked him. Ilja Dragunov then made his return to answer Zayn’s challenger.
Ilja started hot, but Zayn capitalized, sending Ilja crashing on the floor, allowing him to slow the pace of the match. The two men delivered a thrilling match, pushing each other to the extreme and keeping the fans on the edge of their seats.
In the final moments of the match, Sami was looking for the Helluva Kick, but Solo Sikoa appeared near the entrance ramp to cause the distraction. Dragunov then delivered the Torpedo Moscow followed by the H-bomb to pin Zayn and become the new US Champion.
After the match, the MFTs (Tama Tonga, Talla Tonga, Tonga Loa, and JC Mateo) launched a vicious attack on Sami Zayn and Ilja Dragunov. Solo Sikoa soon joined them, and just as things looked grim, Rey Fenix rushed in to make the save. However, the numbers were too much, and Talla Tonga took Fenix down with a brutal chokeslam.
With the MFTs standing tall, Solo grabbed the mic and reminded everyone that they run SmackDown. He vowed to do whatever it took to bring the title back to his family. Then, the lights went out, and Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erik Rowan, Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, and Dexter Lumis) delivered a chilling promo, questioning if the MFTs were ready for what’s on the other side.
Wyatt Sicks appeared near the apron, and as his faction stepped into the ring, the MFTs decided to retreat, leaving the tension hanging in the air.
Winner & New: Ilja Dragunov
Grade: A
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- This was Sami Zayn’s 7th US title open challenge, while Dragunov had been out of action since September of last year with a significant knee injury.
- Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Tiffany Stratton about her loss at Crown Jewel. Stratton praised Stephanie Vaquer, but emphasized that she was still the WWE Women’s Champion. Kiana James then interrupted, claiming that Stratton’s defeat to Vaquer was the reason she asked Vaquer to join her ranks instead of Stratton. Stratton fired back, floating the idea of a match between the two next week. Kiana accepted the challenge and walked off.
Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs Los Garzas (Angel & Berto) – Tag Team match
In a backstage segment, The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) celebrated their one-year anniversary with WWE when they were suddenly interrupted by Los Garza (Angel & Berto). MCMG then challenged them to a match that very night, declaring that they wanted to make a tradition of beating Los Garza every year, just like they did in their debut match a year ago.
Winner: Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)
Grade: C+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Backstage, Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) were in the locker room when Frazer, eager to make an impact, said he was ready to punch someone in the face. Axiom, on the other hand, wanted to be patient and wait for the right time to go for the titles. #DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) walked in alongside Candice LeRae, poking fun at them for thinking about championships. Ciampa explained that they had stayed out of the spotlight for the last couple of months to avoid being targeted by the Street Profits, but now that they were back, nothing had changed. The duo then tried to snatch off Axiom’s mask, joking it was for Johnny and LeRae’s son, Quill, for Halloween. Axiom didn’t take it lightly and challenged Ciampa to a match and left.
Cody Rhodes (c) vs Drew McIntyre – Undisputed WWE title
The introductions for the main event were about to begin when a commotion broke out. The camera quickly cut backstage, revealing Jacob Fatu lying beneath a scaffolding, blood spitting from his mouth. After the commercial break, the medical team was seen tending to Jacob Fatu, who lay injured backstage, while GM Nick Aldis asked if anyone had seen who attacked him.
Back in the ring, Drew McIntyre grabbed the mic and, with a smirk, said that Fatu was “all gas and no brakes.” He then asked the referee to raise his hand and announce him as the #1 contender for the Undisputed title. GM Nick Aldis appeared, expressing his concern over the attack and warning that if he found out McIntyre had anything to do with it, there would be consequences.
McIntyre quickly denied any involvement and pushed for his spot as the number one contender. Cody Rhodes then rushed in, accusing Drew of being behind the attack. He told Aldis that the fans wanted a number one contender match, and they deserved it.
Rhodes proposed a title match between him and Drew with the championship on the line. McIntyre agreed, and chaos immediately erupted as the two began brawling through the crowd.
Rhodes continued to punish McIntyre in the crowd before bringing the action toward ringside. McIntyre fought back, attempting to slam Cody onto the announce desk, but Rhodes countered, driving him into the desk instead.
The fight escalated as Cody sent Drew crashing face-first into the ring post. Both men made their way back into the ring, where the bell rang to officially start the main event. Drew hit a Future Shock DDT, taking Cody down before delivering heavy chops to break down the Champion.
Cody fought back with his own chops and landed a sharp uppercut, followed by a Cody Cutter. Fired up, Rhodes attempted a dive to the outside, but McIntyre intercepted him with a punch and sent him crashing into the timekeeper’s area.
Rhodes retaliated by dropping Drew with the title belt, leading to a disqualification. The brawl continued after the match, as Rhodes cleared off the announce desk, only for McIntyre to gouge his eyes and lift him up. But Rhodes rolled down and slammed Drew onto the desk.
Cody then attempted a Cross Rhodes on McIntyre up on the announce desk, but security and officials rushed in to separate them. Rhodes managed to break free, climbing to the top rope and delivering a splash that took out everyone on the outside. Cody stood tall in the ring as security escorted McIntyre backstage.
Winner: Drew McIntyre via DQ
Grade: B
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- The injury means Fatu will be out of action and we might get another Rhodes vs Drew clash, likely at the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event.
- While Cody and Drew brawling is nothing new and likely is a storyline change due to Fatu’s injury. Nevertheless, Cody shines as a relentless babyface, unleashing chaos and anger.
- Sami Zayn vs Ilja Dragunov for the United States title, stole the show with Ilja reminding fans of his in-ring skills.
WWE SmackDown 10/17 Results
- Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss (c) defeated Zaria & Sol Ruca – WWE Tag Team titles match
- Ilja Dragunov pinned Sami Zayn (c) – US title match
- Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated Los Garzas (Angel & Berto) – Tag Team match
- Jacob Fatu was laid out, bleeding, before the main event
- Cody Rhodes (c) vs Drew McIntyre – Undisputed WWE title match ended in DQ
Who won in the main event of WWE SmackDown tonight?
Drew McIntyre won in the WWE title main event against Cody Rhodes via disqualification as Rhodes attacked him with the title. The DQ finish means Rhodes will reatin the title.
What is the next main roster PLE after Crown Jewel 2025?
Survivor Series: WarGames is the next and final PLE of 2025 from the main roster.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.
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