Portland, OR – January 10, 2025 – Friday Night SmackDown delivered a chaotic and unforgettable night of action, culminating in a violent brawl between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens that saw both men crash through a table, leaving fans in the Moda Center and around the world stunned. The animosity between the two superstars reached a boiling point in a segment that has ignited the road to the Royal Rumble and beyond.
The tension had been simmering throughout the night. Earlier in the evening, Paul Heyman, the special counsel to Roman Reigns, had invited Cody Rhodes to the ring. Heyman, ever the master manipulator, attempted to sow seeds of doubt in Rhodes’ mind, questioning his recent alliance with The Rock on Monday Night Raw and suggesting that Rhodes was making deals with the devil by associating with him.
Before Rhodes could fully respond, Kevin Owens’ music hit, and the outspoken superstar stormed to the ring. Owens, never one to mince words, accused Rhodes of hypocrisy, pointing out that Rhodes had shaken hands with both The Rock and Heyman, two men Owens considers to be untrustworthy. Owens’ accusations struck a nerve with Rhodes, who has been striving to maintain his integrity and stay true to his values.
The war of words quickly escalated into a physical confrontation. Rhodes, his anger palpable, launched himself at Owens, and the two men began brawling through the arena. The fight spilled outside the ring, through the backstage area, and into the production area, with neither man willing to give an inch.
The climax of the brawl came when Rhodes and Owens found themselves on a raised platform in the production area. After a series of punches and kicks, Rhodes hoisted Owens onto his shoulders and drove him through a nearby table, sending both men crashing to the floor below. The impact was thunderous, and the crowd erupted in a mixture of shock and excitement.
Medical personnel rushed to the scene to attend to Rhodes and Owens, who were both visibly shaken by the fall. The severity of their injuries is not yet known, but WWE officials have confirmed that both men will be evaluated by medical staff.
The brawl between Rhodes and Owens has sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe. The two superstars are now locked in a bitter feud that promises to deliver more intense and unforgettable moments in the weeks and months to come.
The Fallout and the Road to the Royal Rumble
The Rhodes-Owens rivalry has added another layer of intrigue to the upcoming Royal Rumble. Both men are expected to be major players in the 30-man Royal Rumble match, and their animosity could play a significant role in the outcome of the match. Will they eliminate each other? Will they cost each other the match? These are the questions on the minds of WWE fans.
Beyond the Royal Rumble, the feud between Rhodes and Owens has the potential to become one of the defining rivalries of 2025. Both men are incredibly talented performers with a history of delivering memorable matches. Their contrasting styles – Rhodes’ athleticism and charisma versus Owens’ brawling style and intensity – create a compelling dynamic that is sure to produce fireworks.
The WWE Universe is eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this explosive rivalry. Will Rhodes and Owens cross paths again on SmackDown? Will they be kept apart until the Royal Rumble? Only time will tell.
Other Highlights from SmackDown
While the Rhodes-Owens brawl was the main talking point of the night, SmackDown also delivered several other noteworthy moments:
- Tiffany Stratton Addresses the WWE Universe: The new WWE Women’s Champion, Tiffany Stratton, made her first appearance since winning the title. Stratton promised to be a fighting champion and vowed to elevate the women’s division to new heights.
- Shinsuke Nakamura Retains the United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura successfully defended his United States Championship against LA Knight in a hard-hitting match.
- The Bloodline Continues to Dominate: The Bloodline continued their reign of dominance, with Solo Sikoa picking up a dominant victory. The group appears to be unstoppable as they head towards the Royal Rumble.
The Road Ahead
The January 10th edition of SmackDown was a night of intense action and drama that has set the stage for an exciting road to the Royal Rumble. The rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens has the potential to steal the show at the Royal Rumble and beyond. The WWE Universe is eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this explosive feud.
