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Wrestlepalooza _Sep 20, 2025 - Cody Rhodes Vs Drew McIntyre _ WWE Undisputed Championship Match
Wrestlepalooza _Sep 20, 2025 - Cody Rhodes Vs Drew McIntyre _ WWE Undisputed Championship Match
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00:00It is our main event, Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, battle the undisputed WWE Championship.
00:15The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, who has vowed to carry this company as its quarterback, is once again WWE Champion.
00:30I am not the bad guy, but if you provoke me, I'm the real nightmare.
00:42We have a major incident here, Cody isn't in by the way.
00:48You gotta get yours while you can.
00:51I want that WWE title, I've been screwed out more times than I can count.
00:56The Wrestle Palooza, Cody Rhodes, the undisputed WWE Champion, will put the gold on the line against Drew McIntyre.
01:05Drew McIntyre!
01:08I understand who you are.
01:11You've been WWE Champion.
01:14At Wrestle Palooza, your legacy becomes the man who lost to me for the WWE Championship.
01:23And McIntyre with a cheap shot.
01:26I'm taking that bloody title.
01:28I deserve it.
01:30I have earned it.
01:32McIntyre's gonna do what he did to Rhodes five weeks ago.
01:36I'm not gonna kick your head through the announce table again.
01:39This match is happening and I'm taking the one thing that means the most to you.
01:43I am not the bad guy, but if you provoke me, I'm the real nightmare.
02:13You are the grappler.
02:14You are the right man.
02:155.
02:17These gambler will be your не calculation.
02:18I am not the bad guy, but you are not Japan.
02:24You are the slash Japan.
02:25This isprochenار2114.
02:28Are you un separatual or lance gold?
02:33For more as можно for corporate and luck, it's good!
02:35You are the only three years I thought.
02:37The power is not much better.
02:38Director of the badass consoleGuys should die in preparation.
02:41An extremely bitter Drew McIntyre claims that Cody Rhodes has become obsessed with
02:59being WWE Champion and that a paranoia has started to creep into Cody Rhodes' life as
03:06he tries to please everyone from company officials to WWE fans,
03:11this incessant need to be champion.
03:14And Drew McIntyre says he's out here tonight, Wade, to save Cody Rhodes,
03:19to take the championship from him, to save Cody from himself.
03:23Well, I take umbrage of your use of the word bitter to describe Drew McIntyre.
03:28There is not a man in this industry who could have been put through what Drew has
03:33been put through over the past three years who would not inevitably become bitter.
03:39Time and time again, Drew McIntyre has had his fingertips on the world championships,
03:45only to be screwed over by the likes of CM Punk, The Bloodline, Damian Priest, and we could go on.
03:53Tonight is what Drew McIntyre has always wanted.
03:57A clear one-on-one shot against the champ, no interference.
04:02Drew wins.
04:03The Dark Clouds lead this evening.
04:06Listen, some of that Drew McIntyre brought upon himself.
04:12In what way?
04:13And this match is presented by Minute Maid.
04:37Bring the juice.
04:39And that's what McIntyre is expected to do here tonight against the undisputed WWE Champion.
04:47The title.
05:01McIntyre getting booed out of the building when he carried this company on his shoulders
05:07during the darkest era in COVID.
05:10Where's the gratitude?
05:12Where's the respect?
05:13You gotta give respect to show it, Wade.
05:15McIntyre gave respect when he put the company on his back in 2020.
05:20Bled for this company.
05:22How long is he gonna do that song and dance?
05:25My name is above Gloria Golders in the world.
05:32I thank you for the day.
05:33We mane it all, I'm sorry, we're in our lives, we didn't want to.
05:35You're dépend of the stars before you're sm 되면'
05:36What happened to be in a fight?
05:39I am though, please don't attack me back.
05:41I will vaccinate you to get rid of you in a military zone.
05:44All right.
05:45raulic family.
05:46And I'll sex in a movie on Sunday.
05:48All right。
05:49A dream in my soul
05:52Every fight out of control
05:55Do it all to get them off their feet
06:00Crowd is here, about to blow
06:04Waiting for me to start the show
06:07Out the cut, the lights go up a hole
06:12Whoa!
06:13I'm out!
06:19Oh God!
06:20I don't breathe in the land
06:25But look at all the way, I give it away
06:29To take my freedom
06:32Even change again, I've ever made a thing
06:36I've built my kingdom
06:38You, you built me
06:41It's a great time.
06:43I'm right.
06:44You're all on me.
06:46It's you here.
06:48I am my king.
06:50Lights go down.
06:51I'm ready now.
06:53Tear this roof off for the town.
06:56Gonna give them what they came to see.
07:02Hear the crowd on the show.
07:05Ready for me to start the show.
07:08Out the curtain lights go up.
07:12Whoa!
07:15I'm the same.
07:18We're all together.
07:21Hot times we better lay.
07:26Took it all away.
07:28I give it all away.
07:30Can't take my freedom.
07:32Can't change the game.
07:34A better man to play.
07:36I built my kingdom.
07:38Now you bow to me.
07:41My dreams are not my name.
07:44You'll follow me until the end.
07:48I am my kingdom.
07:50The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
08:00One fall.
08:02And is for the undisputed WWE Championship.
08:12Introducing first, the challenger.
08:22From Air Scotland.
08:26Weighing in at 275 pounds, Drew McIntyre.
08:40And his opponent.
08:52From Atlanta, Georgia.
08:57Weighing in at 222 pounds.
09:02He is the undisputed WWE Champion.
09:12The American Nightmare.
09:16Cody Rhodes.
09:21The tremendous Alicia Taylor with a ring announcement.
09:25For our main event tonight.
09:27For the undisputed WWE Championship.
09:29It has been quite the ride for Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre.
09:33The first time they shared a ring together was back in 2010.
09:37Later on that year they would become tag team partners.
09:45They go on to win tag team championship gold together.
09:49In fact they defended the tag title successfully in this town of Indianapolis.
10:07Cody run the tag titles with Jay Uso here in Indianapolis.
10:19He beat Kevin Owens in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble earlier this year here.
10:23And tonight his first title defense since winning back the world title from John Cena at SummerSlam.
10:30Rhodes and McIntyre one-on-one for the title.
10:40Now nice waist lock by Cody Rhodes.
10:56Remember what McIntyre said coming into this matchup Wade.
10:58He wanted to do this the right way.
11:00He certainly started out that way and that is a clean break.
11:04A clean break, the official Ryan Tran asking Cody to come out of the corner.
11:08Now McIntyre with that high elbow.
11:11Cody who came out the aggressor in this one which really isn't in his nature.
11:15He's a technician.
11:17He's a mover.
11:18You don't wanna go blow for blow with someone bigger and stronger than you like McIntyre.
11:23But let's not forget what McIntyre did and the Claymore through the announce table
11:26cost Cody Rhodes five weeks of his career.
11:29Nice drop down and there's the right hand by Cody Rhodes.
11:31Aggressive out of the gate and a nice takedown, headlock takedown by McIntyre.
11:36Well that's Cody's mistake and Drew has completely suckered a bit into that.
11:41It's one thing being angry.
11:42It's one thing trying to get vengeance but it's another thing to step out of what you
11:46are good at and into the world that your opponent specializes in.
11:51Wade you were brought up with these two.
11:54Training of course down at FCW.
11:56What went wrong between Cody and Drew?
11:58The truth is what went wrong is far more recent than any of that.
12:03They are both former punchlines in this industry.
12:06Jokes ten years ago who both had to go away into obscurity and
12:11climb the mountain from the very bottom.
12:13They've both done that but in McIntyre's eyes he had the more arduous climb
12:19whereas Cody has been propped up thanks to his last name and
12:23the WWE machine being behind him.
12:26That's one way to look at it but the bionic elbow delivered by the American
12:30Nightmare, homage to his dad the American dream.
12:34And Cody Rhodes fired up here tonight.
12:37Cody Rhodes has earned this.
12:38Cody Rhodes, uh-oh, wait a minute.
12:40I'll tell you something off to Cody.
12:42Cody stumbling out of the box, hit the Cody cutter however.
12:45I saw this a couple of times, I didn't say it, there's something off.
12:49Cover by Rhodes and a kick out by Drew, what do you mean something's off?
12:53Well he's just a half step behind where he normally is.
12:56That wasn't the first time that's happened in the match.
12:58There's been a couple of moments here where Cody wasn't as crisp and
13:02speedy when he's at the upper hand.
13:04I think it has something to do with the,
13:07the announce table by McIntyre.
13:10I mean, there's an element of ring risk.
13:11It is only five weeks though, which for the most part,
13:14a competitor at Cody's level, that isn't a huge deal.
13:18It's something you can normally skip over fairly easily.
13:21But I'm keeping an eye on this now.
13:23McIntyre fighting out of it.
13:25Cody Rhodes still in control though.
13:27McIntyre with authority.
13:31McIntyre sent over the top rope, so agile for a big man.
13:35Cody now.
13:37Well McIntyre simply a cheat code, 208 pounds of rippling muscle that moves like a cruiserweight.
13:44Yeah, that disaster kick by Rhodes and now Cody with a suicide dive to McIntyre.
13:51Driving McIntyre to the floor.
13:53He seems to be shaking off whatever cobwebs were there earlier on and seems back in rare form.
14:00And Cody again, suicide dive McIntyre able to intercept him.
14:06And now driving Cody, spine first to the post.
14:09Cody just underestimating the size and power of Drew McIntyre.
14:13And now tasting it firsthand.
14:15McIntyre just swinging Rhodes over the Spanish announce table.
14:21Practically cleared the table.
14:23That was so effortless on McIntyre and looking for the dark pits of the eyes.
14:28A slight bounce on the table.
14:30Catching the edge which may have caused some real damage to the lower back of Cody Rhodes.
14:36And remember McIntyre understands Rhodes has the champion's advantage.
14:39He's gotta get him in the ring and punish Cody to win the gold.
14:43Right now McIntyre in control of Rhodes who again just collapses to his knees.
14:48You know what?
14:49We saw what happened on SmackDown last night.
14:51There was a boot to the place.
14:52There was a stomp to the head of Rhodes on the ground.
14:56And I think Cody is really showing some effect.
14:59He got his bell rung yesterday.
15:01And it's affecting him in this and we're admiring the power of McIntyre.
15:05But that is not the full story here.
15:07You think that has something to do with it?
15:08What happened last night?
15:09Well, Cody doesn't seem to be playing with his usual full deck.
15:13And now McIntyre again with a belly to belly throw sending Rhodes across the ring.
15:17And Drew McIntyre is having his way for the WWE Champion right now.
15:22Drew predicted this.
15:23He said it was gonna be a bad night for Cody.
15:26Well, Drew has stacked the deck by the attack on Cody last night.
15:29That stomp to the head against the ground I think has left some lingering effects in the brain of Cody Rhodes.
15:36And he's now fighting through the fog to try and get a little clarity and it's a fight he's losing.
15:43But wait, and also McIntyre has made a very clear about the fact that he believes Cody Rhodes has stretched himself very thin.
15:54Between all the media appearances.
15:56God, look at Cody's schedule just this past week.
15:59And post, shoulder to the post for McIntyre and Cody buys himself some time.
16:04And Cody needs time more than anything right now.
16:07I'm looking at him, the guy's wobbly.
16:08He looks like he's had ten pints of beer.
16:10And that is not a good thing in the early goings of a championship matchup against McIntyre.
16:16Cody now with a kick to the face of McIntyre.
16:18Rhodes has not lost the match since WrestleMania as he's bounced face first off the apron.
16:23Yeah, right on the hardest part of the ring, head first.
16:26And if there weren't issues before, there certainly are now.
16:29And McIntyre's about to exacerbate the problem.
16:32Cody Rhodes.
16:35No, no, no.
16:36No, not to the steps.
16:37Not to the steps, Drew.
16:38Alabama slam out of the steel steps.
16:41And this is just a masterclass from McIntyre.
16:45He knows the weakness, he smells it.
16:48Into the cover, smelling the championship, and a kick out at two.
16:52McIntyre doing exactly what he needs to do against the best.
16:59Spot the weakness and attack, attack, attack.
17:02Bob Holly would be proud of that as McIntyre now.
17:05Bounce Rhodes and the big right hands from a Scottish warrior.
17:10Look at Cody trying to cover up now from the attack by McIntyre.
17:14Just trying to protect himself here.
17:17Feeling dangerously now is Cody Rhodes who may, as you said, Cole,
17:21stretched himself far too thinly and completely underestimated the threat of
17:27the Scottish psychopath.
17:29Well, Cody hasn't been able to put together any sustained offense tonight.
17:34He looked good for about two minutes in the early goings and then the cobwebs
17:39came to the fore.
17:41And this right here is the pace that McIntyre wants.
17:44And then goes 6'6", 280 pounds.
17:47Cody Rhodes, though, climbs the robes, hooks McIntyre.
17:51And again, Cody showing some flashes here in this match with a super flash.
17:56No!
17:57And look, even if you execute that move, you take a hell of a landing yourself.
18:01And Cody smashed hit the back of his head against the mat on the landing.
18:06Don't watch Drew.
18:07Drew takes an impact, but watch Cody's head.
18:09That's what hit, and Cody hasn't moved since.
18:13And you're still concerned after the head injury suffered last night at the hands of
18:17McIntyre.
18:18It's 100% it.
18:19Look, I've been in there before.
18:20Normally that happens, you need at least a week off.
18:23Cody didn't get that.
18:24He doesn't have that luxury.
18:2624 hours off.
18:27This is for the world, the WWE Championship, undisputed.
18:34Live at Wrestle Palooza in Indianapolis in front of 15,000 plus at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
18:40And now McIntyre and Rhodes exchanging blues in the middle of the ring.
18:44One, two, three, two, three.
18:51Rhodes showing some fight.
18:52Well, Cody's not thinking here, he's just reacting.
18:56He reacted well there.
18:58Stunning McIntyre.
18:59Now up over the top for Rhodes again.
19:01Went right back to his head, but he was able to deliver a power slam.
19:05Yeah, it's like the worst migraine in history buzzing through the brain of Cody Rhodes,
19:10and somehow he's gotta figure out a path to victory here against one of the absolute best in McIntyre.
19:17And again, slow to his feet.
19:19Cody cutters, second rope caught him with a disaster kick.
19:21Instead, Cody Rhodes is starting to build momentum now against the number one contender.
19:28But it's a slow momentum due to this mental issue that Cody apparently has.
19:34Trying to stack offense is almost impossible in this condition.
19:37Off the second rope, yet again, went for the Cody Cutter, and he was slammed down.
19:41And he took out McIntyre.
19:43What a move by Cody Rhodes, who once again couldn't be closing in on the win in this matchup.
19:49Yeah, you can tell McIntyre tried to power Cody in that one, tried to hold him up.
19:53He just didn't have enough strength.
19:54And Cody was able to capitalize.
19:56And now Rhodes, look at McIntyre fights out of it.
19:59Nice.
20:00Nice knee to the head there again, rocking the brain of Cody.
20:03Kick to the face by Rhodes, second rope now for the champion.
20:07McIntyre with a Glasgow kiss.
20:09Remember, he delivered that last night, the end of the contract signing.
20:14McIntyre knew exactly how to hurt Cody, how to take Cody out of his game.
20:19And it has worked a treat.
20:21High above the ring, McIntyre and Rhodes.
20:25McIntyre pulling out all the stops.
20:31It's not that common that you see McIntyre taking an opponent up top or
20:35maybe a page out of Sheamus' playbook.
20:38It could be white noise time.
20:40Cody high above the ring, white noise by McIntyre.
20:44Cover now to win the WWE Championship and a kick out.
20:49Sheamus just threw his can of Guinness at the TV in anger.
20:53Almost as angry as McIntyre when Cody kicked out of that.
20:59What a massive impact again on the back of the neck and the head of Cody Rhodes.
21:05Over 15,000 here tonight.
21:07This is our main event for the undisputed WWE title to kick up by McIntyre.
21:13Just an incredible athlete.
21:16One man able to shake off the cobwebs, one man not.
21:20And McIntyre could be looking for the Claymore to put Cody Rhodes away.
21:25One.
21:26And win the championship.
21:27Rhodes, though, able to counter, stacking up McIntyre.
21:31Kick out by Drew.
21:32Attempted a power bomb there, didn't get all of it, but enough to get out of the way.
21:36And again, a Glasgow kiss by Drew.
21:39And McIntyre looking for the Claymore.
21:41Cody rolled out of harm's way.
21:43Cody Rhodes now looking for the figure four.
21:45And locked in, McIntyre a long way from any ropes here.
21:53Cody's got the figure four locked in well.
21:56McIntyre, the only thing he can do is perhaps roll on his belly and-
22:00McIntyre close to tapping out here.
22:03Cody's got it locked in, will McIntyre tap?
22:06This is so good for Cody.
22:07Not only is he put through in jeopardy, he's also buying a chance to mentally recover.
22:12Cody screaming at McIntyre.
22:16Cody needs a tap out here in the worst way, and one jab to the jaw.
22:21And it looks like Cody got knocked out cold.
22:24Yeah, McIntyre caught a flush on the jaw.
22:26I mean, normally I think Cody could shrug that off, but he's so beaten up mentally.
22:32He's really, really struggling tonight.
22:34This is not the usual Cody Rhodes.
22:36And the official Ryan Tran checking on the champion.
22:39Cody's eyes are glassy.
22:41Cody.
22:42Can't even defend himself.
22:43That is why the ref may need to step in.
22:45If the ref does step in, then we've got a new champ.
22:48And McIntyre ripping the protective pad off the turnbuckle, exposing the steel.
22:53I gotta put it back on.
22:54Come on.
22:55The official saying, I gotta put it back on.
22:57McIntyre tosses it out into the entrance left.
23:00No respect for authority.
23:02Why should he?
23:03He's on a mission tonight to win gold.
23:05Not friends.
23:06No friends.
23:07Rhodes now hooks McIntyre.
23:08Looking for the crossroads.
23:09Into the corner.
23:10The official rolls out of harm's way.
23:12McIntyre's got Rhodes pinned.
23:14Back into the ring.
23:15And a kick out by Rhodes.
23:17That was a count of eight.
23:19That was a count.
23:20What did the referee get out of the ring for?
23:22He's trying to abort disaster.
23:24And now Cody turns it into crossroads.
23:27Cover by Cody Rhodes.
23:29And a two count and a kick out by McIntyre.
23:32Just got the shoulder up.
23:34McIntyre had this match won.
23:36Let me see this again.
23:37What was this referee doing?
23:38The official had to get out of harm's way, saving himself there.
23:42Well, Drew had the match won.
23:43That's a pin.
23:44The referee should never have got out of the ring.
23:46It's the first rule of refereeing.
23:48You don't get out of the referee if the competitor, you don't get out of the ring unless the competitors do.
23:53And Cody was able to use that exposed turnbuckle.
23:57McIntyre, though, still able to kick out of the crossroads.
24:00Well, if McIntyre does not win this match, he will have a major bone of contention with this official.
24:10Cody off the second rope, and McIntyre slamming Cody to the mat as he went for the Cody Cutter.
24:16That's exactly what McIntyre tried earlier, didn't work back then, did the second time.
24:20McIntyre up at the top, and he caught Cody hard.
24:24Drew McIntyre was never designed to throw that kind of offense, but it worked.
24:28Rhodes back into the ring quickly.
24:30McIntyre looking to put Cody away, putting him in position for a Claymore kick, and connects.
24:35McIntyre falls to the cover.
24:37One, two, three, so close to winning the world title.
24:42God, that Claymore practically knocked Cody Rhodes out of his boots.
24:49How the hell did Cody kick out there?
24:52Looking for his fourth world championship, almost pinned the undisputed WWE champ there.
25:00And now McIntyre in despair, from despair to where, if you're gonna win gold tonight, Drew.
25:09Yeah, but Drew's gotta stay focused now, he's got this match completely under control.
25:13The dark clouds are all forming in the mind of McIntyre, who is convinced the world is against him.
25:20And again, he calls up Rhodes paranoid.
25:25Cody trying to regain himself on the Spanish announce table.
25:28Drew McIntyre now with the right hand, and Cody can hardly stand right.
25:32I do not like the look in the eye of Drew McIntyre.
25:35I don't like this either.
25:36The eyes have narrowed.
25:37Yeah, and he realizes where Cody is.
25:40Remember what happened to Cody Rhodes when he was in this position?
25:44God, God.
25:45Last month, an official Ryan Tran who witnessed that that night.
25:49He's gonna make sure that it doesn't happen again.
25:56Ryan Tran knew the damage that McIntyre did to Cody Rhodes the last time he attempted this.
26:01But wait, it's a legal move.
26:03Oh, no!
26:04Cody rolled out of harm's way, Drew McIntyre kicked out the announce table and injured his right leg.
26:11Why did the referee get in the way?
26:13It was completely legal for Drew to attack.
26:16Human compassion.
26:21Drew may have snapped his shin.
26:23Where's the compassion for Drew?
26:25Drew McIntyre is the one that delivered the offensive move and he can hardly stand now.
26:28And you're right, McIntyre gonna have a broken leg here.
26:31Well, that would have connected with the head of Rhodes if not this damn official once again.
26:35McIntyre could barely stand trying to drag himself into the ring to beat the count.
26:41McIntyre back to his feet.
26:43Cody Rhodes, second rope.
26:44Oh, and a glass go!
26:45Kits caught Rhodes.
26:46McIntyre can barely stand but he's still throwing offense and he's still dreaming of winning that championship.
26:52Looking for the Claymore but his bad leg gave out on him.
26:57Cody Rhodes with a super cutter!
27:00Cody Rhodes does not need a second invite.
27:03Cody fired up!
27:10Crossroads!
27:11One, two, three, three, three-
27:13One, two, three, three!
27:14Cover!
27:15One, two, three!
27:20Cody McCades!
27:22Here is your winner, and still the undisputed WWE Champion!
27:29The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes!
27:38I get your point about McIntyre maybe having the match won.
27:41But at the end of the day, you've got to applaud the fight, the guts,
27:46the resilience of the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes,
27:49retaining the championship tonight.
27:51No doubt about it, maximum respect for Cody Rhodes as always,
27:56QB1 for a reason.
27:59But the post-mortem of this match, there are gonna be major questions for
28:03how Drew McIntyre is not currently holding the goal.
28:07This was brilliant from Cody, kicking out from a claymore.
28:10We know how tough Cody Rhodes is.
28:12That's what McIntyre needs, something else to complain about.
28:15Well, this is the referee getting involved for no reason,
28:18taking a beat that cost McIntyre, almost broke his leg.
28:23Well, McIntyre would still get Cody Rhodes with a Glasgow kiss.
28:28He was going for the kill shot here, but his legs gave out on him.
28:32Gave out because he smashed it through the table moments earlier.
28:37And that window, when it was open, Cody Rhodes' new victory was in sight and
28:42made no mistakes, won, crossed Rhodes later.
28:45And a successful retention against all odds for Cody Rhodes.
28:51Cody Rhodes wins his first title defense since winning back the championship at SummerSlam.
28:57Mike and Ty getting some urgent medical care from our doctor.
29:07Cody Rhodes celebrates a new era, the ESPN era.
29:16What a night, thanks for joining us on ESPN.
29:20It's time for the post show.
29:25And who better to bring us a recap of all the action than the great Joe Testatore.
29:32Take it away.
29:33What a night, Michael Cole.
29:34What a great job you and Wade did.
29:36Wrestle Palooza is in the books.
29:39Everybody's going to be reacting to what we just saw.
29:42The sensational title defense of Cody Rhodes over Drew McIntyre on a night that began with
29:49an absolute beat down of Brock Lesnar defeating John Cena.
29:53We will have live guests, all the analysis coming up on the Wrestle Palooza post show, including
30:00CM Punk and AJ Lee joining us right here.
30:04And the architect of this, Paul, Triple H elect.
30:07Don't go anywhere.
30:08Quick break and we're right back to the post show.
30:10Yeah.
30:11Go!
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