Next Week on WWE SmackDown: Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre—A Collision of Power and Pride

The blue brand is heading toward a heavyweight showdown next week, as Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre are officially set to go one-on-one on the October 17 edition of WWE SmackDown, live from San Jose, California.

This matchup has been brewing for weeks, and the tension between the two combustible stars finally reached a boiling point on Friday’s SmackDown from Perth, Australia.

From Words to War

It all started a few weeks back when Fatu returned to WWE television and didn’t waste time making an impact. In a fiery backstage exchange, he accused McIntyre of constantly “blaming others” for his setbacks. McIntyre, never one to hold his tongue—or his headbutt—fired back, literally, by driving his skull into Fatu’s face.

The headbutt sparked a brawl that left officials scrambling to keep them apart. But on this week’s international broadcast, things got even more heated.

During a backstage segment in Perth, Fatu approached Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to respectfully declare his intentions to challenge for the title after Crown Jewel. Before Rhodes could respond, McIntyre stormed in and blindsided Fatu from behind.

Later in the night, Fatu returned the favor, attacking McIntyre while SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis was in the middle of finalizing next week’s match. The two had to be physically separated again, setting the stage for an explosive collision next Friday night.

The Road to California

McIntyre made his feelings clear to Aldis following the chaos. He promised to “beat some respect” into Fatu in front of his home-state fans in California. While next week’s bout takes place in San Jose, it’s also expected to serve as the lead-in to Fatu’s homecoming appearance the following week when SmackDown hits Downtown Sacramento on October 24.

Given how personal this feud has become, fans can expect a fight rather than a wrestling match — one that could reshape SmackDown’s upper card heading into Survivor Series season.

Women’s Tag Team Title Development

Elsewhere on SmackDown, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss appeared in a backstage segment and agreed to defend their titles against NXT’s Sol Ruca & Zaria. While no official date has been announced, sources expect the match to take place within the next two weeks, marking another crossover between WWE’s main roster and NXT talent.

💬 Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre has “big fight feel” written all over it. Both men bring an aura of legitimacy — Fatu with his explosive power and unpredictable aggression, and McIntyre with his veteran intensity and controlled chaos.

This rivalry feels different from the typical WWE fare — it’s raw, rooted in pride, and deeply personal. If WWE leans into that realism, this could easily steal the show next Friday night.

Expect a bruising, physical affair that could mark Fatu’s first defining moment on the main roster — especially if he scores a statement win before returning home to Sacramento.

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