Sat Oct 25 00:40:00 UTC 2025: ## News Article: WWE SmackDown Preview: Rhodes and McIntyre Face Off, Dragunov’s First Title Defense, and Stratton in Action!
Tempe, AZ – October 24, 2025 – WWE SmackDown emanates live tonight from the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, promising a night of high stakes confrontations and championship action!
The highly anticipated clash between Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and his challenger, Drew McIntyre, takes center stage tonight. This will be their final face-to-face encounter before their title match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1st. Last week’s SmackDown saw McIntyre defeat Rhodes via disqualification after Rhodes used the title belt, leading to a chaotic brawl that required security to break up. The tension between these two titans is palpable and tonight’s confrontation is expected to be explosive.
Fresh off his stunning victory last week, Ilja Dragunov will make his first defense of the United States Championship. Dragunov, returning from injury, shocked the WWE Universe by answering Sami Zayn’s Open Challenge and capturing the title. He’s vowed to continue the Open Challenge, offering an opportunity to any superstar willing to step up and test their mettle against the newly crowned champion.
Adding to the excitement, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton will face Kiana James. The rivalry between Stratton, James, and Women’s United States Champion Giulia has been brewing for weeks, and tonight’s match promises to be a physical and emotional showdown.
Don’t miss tonight’s edition of WWE SmackDown for all the action and drama!
First Piper 