WWE taped the October 10th episode of WWE SmackDown from RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. and it’s the go-home episode before the Crown Jewel Premium Live Event. The show kicks off at 8:00 AM ET for international fans.
The Men’s Crown Jewel belt is displayed in the ring under a glass case. Cody Rhodes heads to the ring. Cody asks the crowd in Perth, “What do you want to talk about?” He says they could talk about Seth Rollins.
Cody brings up how Seth has been painting their Crown Jewel match as something bigger than just a title defense — as something about the future of the industry. Cody admits he joked about it at first, but after hearing Paul Heyman explain the real stakes, maybe Seth was right. He says Seth’s role now is starting to look a lot like his own role at WrestleMania — the man who has to be sacrificed. Cody adds that maybe he’s Seth’s Achilles heel.
Cody says he doesn’t blame Seth for falling into this trap because when you love WWE, and Seth clearly does, you’re willing to sacrifice everything for it. He says when you start thinking you’re the only one who can carry the company, that’s when things start to shift. That’s when your good intentions can become your downfall. Cody mentions the “QB1” nickname Seth has been given and says while it’s just a label, he understands the pressure that comes with it.
Cody says he loves being a leader, but WWE has so much talent that if he ever can’t carry the weight, others can. He name-drops Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso, and CM Punk—and says he could be talking about Seth too. Then, reacting to the crowd, Cody asks if they really don’t like Seth, based on how they’re responding. He says Seth could be the one to fill that role.
Cody says he’s not out here to reason with Seth Rollins. He turns to Michael Cole and asks what the crowd is chanting. Cole says he’s not sure. Wade Barrett jumps in and says they’re chanting something rude. Cole stays quiet, but Wade says the crowd is chanting, “Seth Rollins is a wanker.”
Wade tosses the mic back to Cody, who catches it effortlessly. Cody jokes that he was trying to have a serious moment. He says no matter how hard he tries to reason with Seth, Seth lives in a world where everything revolves around him. And in that world, Cody can’t just be any wrestler—he has to be the wrestler. He says he’d have to be the guy you wear the gear for at the funeral… the one you bury in his boots. He’s the one, in any era—Seth’s or his own—that Seth simply can’t beat.
Chelsea Green offers Stephanie Vaquer a spot in her Secret Hervice. Tiffany Stratton walks up and Chelsea leaves.
Jacob Fatu confronts Cody Rhodes backstage. After Cody walks off, Drew McIntyre attacks Fatu.
Shinsuke Nakamura answered the WWE United States Title open challenge of Sami Zayn.
WWE United States Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura ended in a DQ when Tama Tonga attacked Nakamura
MFTs (Talla Tonga, JC Mateo, Tama Tonga, & Tonga Loa) attacked Zayn and Nakamura.
Nick Aldis tells McIntyre that he will face Fatu next Friday. Fatu attacks McIntyre. Officials break them up.
