Cody Rhodes was taken out by Drew McIntyre on the August 8 episode of WWE SmackDown.
After the tag-team match between ‘Melo don’t Miz’ and Fraxiom, the commentators Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett addressed last week’s actions. Tessitore informed the audience that there is no medical update on Rhodes on the August 15 episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
Joe Tessitore says there is no medical update on Cody Rhodes after Drew McIntyre's attack last week.#SmackDownpic.twitter.com/CgpErTMr7r
— Tony The Wrestling Nerd (@WrestlingNerd00) August 16, 2025
Following this, the live show featured clips from the August 8 SmackDown, showing McIntyre’s brutality and Rhodes lying helplessly. Just after this segment, McIntyre came out, addressing his actions and justifying why he attacked Rhodes, revealing his future plans.
He claimed he didn’t actually attack Rhodes, insisting that ‘everyone’s eyes are lying to them.’ He did not express any hatred toward Rhodes but rather pity, stating that the champion ‘needs the validation from the fans and management.’
McIntyre reveald that he was in Rhodes’ position five years ago before he ‘evolved’ and realized that fans eventually forget about stars when they’re gone. The Scottish Warrior explained that it has been too long, and he needs to win the WWE title now.
"If you provoke me, I am the real nightmare."@DMcIntyreWWE just sent a hostile warning to @CodyRhodes 😲 pic.twitter.com/obCXu1XHl6
— WWE (@WWE) August 16, 2025
He called himself the real nightmare, claiming that he’s the real bad guy when provoked.
What Happened Between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre on Last Week’s SmackDown?
During the main event tag-team match between Logan Paul-McIntyre and John Cena-Rhodes, Paul hit Cena with a low blow that ended the match in a disqualification. On the ringside, Rhdoes cleared out the announcer’s table, preparing to put McIntyre through it. Just as he was about to attack him, McIntyre unleashed hell on the Undisputed WWE Champion.
DREW MCINTYRE CLAYMORES CODY THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE ANNOUNCE TABLE 🤯🤯🤯#SmackDownpic.twitter.com/3lzJqBzSrL
— The Movement – Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) August 9, 2025
He began by hitting Rhodes with the WWE title on his head, which knocked him out. It looked like the Scottish Warrior was leaving after the officials came out, but he turned back, putting the title down and hitting Rhodes with a Claymore kick through the announcer’s table.
These attacks took a heavy toll on Rhodes as he passed out and was stretchered out of the ringside.