By Andrew Ravens
Copyright newsweek
The first match for this Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown has been officially announced. It will be a major interpromotional tag team match featuring two top stars from Monday Night Raw.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis revealed the news in a video posted on Tuesday. He has booked Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton to take on Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.
How the WWE SmackDown Match Was Made
In the announcement video, Nick Aldis explained that he worked with his Raw counterpart, Adam Pearce, to make the match happen. He stated that the Raw stars were being brought over for their recent habit of interfering in others’ affairs.
Aldis said, “Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker seem to enjoy getting involved in other people’s business as of late. And having just wrapped up a phone call with my esteemed colleague, Adam Pearce over at Monday Night Raw, we agreed that they can get involved in my business this Friday night on SmackDown.”
SMACKDOWN NEWS 🚨@RealNickAldis has huge news for THIS FRIDAY… @CodyRhodes & @RandyOrton will team up to take on The Vision’s @bronbreakkerwwe & @BRONSONISHERE! pic.twitter.com/zzjN4v3y6x— WWE (@WWE) September 30, 2025
This match is directly tied to the main event of the upcoming Crown Jewel premium live event. Breakker and Reed are members of the Raw faction known as The Vision, led by Seth Rollins.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 24: Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Naomi, Bianca Belair, Nia Jax, Candice LeRae, Tiffany Stratton and Rhea Ripley all think they will win the Royal Rumble during SmackDown at Moody Center on January 24, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Cody Rhodes is scheduled to challenge Rollins for the Men’s Crown Jewel Championship on October 11 in Perth, Australia. This tag team match on SmackDown will serve as a preview of that encounter, with The Vision likely looking to injure or weaken Rhodes just over a week before his title match.
Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes Reunite
Randy Orton’s inclusion in the match sees him once again aligning with his long-time associate, Cody Rhodes. The two have a storied history, dating back to their time together in the Legacy faction.
Orton has recently been aiding Rhodes in his battle against The Vision. While this tag team match serves as a direct preview for the Rhodes vs. Rollins main event at Crown Jewel, the roles for Randy Orton and Bronson Reed at the Perth event remain unconfirmed.
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