After making a fiery return last week to settle the score with Drew McIntyre, the Undisputed WWE Champion isn’t planning on taking more time off.
On this week’s Raw, WWE confirmed that “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes will appear on the September 19 edition of SmackDown. This appearance will officially start the build to his next title defense against McIntyre at the upcoming WrestlePalooza premium live event.
The announcement came after Rhodes’ return on last Friday’s SmackDown. Following Drew McIntyre’s victory over Randy Orton in the main event, the Scottish Warrior tried to launch a post-match attack, but Rhodes hit the ring. “The American Nightmare” dropped McIntyre with a Cody Cutter, grabbed the mic, declared “the champ is back,” and laid down the title challenge.
Last week’s return was Rhodes’ first appearance in over a month. He had been written off television after a brutal attack by McIntyre on the August 8 episode of SmackDown, an absence that also coincided with the birth of his second child.
With the WrestlePalooza title match now set, Rhodes’ presence on SmackDown signals that the road to his next championship defense against his longtime rival is officially underway.