Friday’s episode of “SmackDown” featured shocking turn after shocking turn, and the fundamental event was no different. After Jacob Fatu was brutally attacked by a currently-unknown assailant ahead of his Number One Contender’s match against Drew McIntyre, WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes stormed the ring to offer Drew McIntyre what he wanted: absolute carnage, only thinly veiled as a shot for “SmackDown’s” world title.
After asking to be named as the brand new Number One Contender, McIntyre got here face-to-face with an irate champion, who berated “The Scottish Psychopath” for cheating the town of San Jose out of their fundamental event. Rhodes took it upon himself to offer the group the match they deserved and, in his three-piece suit and dress shoes, began to slug with McIntyre. San Jose cheered because the violence between the 2 men spilled into the group, and while Rhodes laid on essentially the most punishment during their brawl, McIntyre got just a few selection hits in as the boys returned to the ring to officially start the match.
The bell rang, however the formality didn’t bring an end to Rhodes and McIntyre’s explosive chaos. Rhodes’ chest frolicked of his unbuttoned shirt as McIntyre laid chops onto him, but even after a Cross Rhodes and a Future Shock DDT, each men were left standing. Their violence spilled onto the surface, where Rhodes knocked out McIntyre with the title the Scot so desperately desired. Despite the referee’s disqualification call, the violence continued as Rhodes attempted to place McIntyre through the announce table with a Cross-Rhodes.
WWE’s security forces and Nick Aldis could do nothing to curb Rhodes’ rage, as Rhodes pursued an escaping McIntyre. Rhodes punctuated “SmackDown’s” fundamental event by pummeling his rival (and the accompanying security detail) with a top-rope dive.
As of writing, whether McIntyre might be entitled to a rematch against Rhodes stays unclear.