Undisputed WWE World Champion Cody Rhodes was attacked by Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed during the September 26 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, live from the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. The two-on-one assault followed a heated confrontation between Rhodes and Paul Heyman about the status of Brock Lesnar, before Randy Orton made a surprise save.
The show opened with Paul Heyman delivering a promo that touched on several subjects, including speculation surrounding Lesnar. Before he could expand, Rhodes’ entrance music cut him off. During his remarks, Heyman also mentioned the injured Roman Reigns and praised Breakker as a future WrestleMania headliner.
Once in the ring, Rhodes asked if he was speaking to an “Advocate, a Wiseman, or an Oracle.” Heyman responded, “You’re talking to The GOAT.” Rhodes pressed him about his ties to Lesnar, displaying an image of the two together at Wrestlepalooza on the arena screen. Heyman answered that whenever Lesnar is in WWE, “everyone is in danger.”
The exchange escalated when Breakker and Reed emerged to surround the ring. Heyman clarified that Lesnar was not in the building but warned Rhodes he was still in immediate jeopardy. Rhodes turned his attention to Breakker, stating he would have “killed to be a Heyman Guy” at that age. Breakker ripped off his shirt, and the two clashed. Despite an early burst of offense, Rhodes was eventually overwhelmed by the numbers.
Randy Orton’s music then hit, bringing the Apex Predator to the ring. Orton dropped Reed with an RKO while Rhodes clotheslined Breakker over the top rope. To close the segment, Orton picked up Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE World Championship, studied it, and handed it back.
The attack adds new tension for Rhodes, who is set to face Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel on October 11 in Perth, Australia. Lesnar’s shadow remains over the brand, as commentary reminded viewers that Corey Graves will miss several weeks after suffering two F5s from him on a previous broadcast.