Spoiler: Jacob Fatu’s Replacement for Drew McIntyre on October 17 WWE SmackDown Revealed

WWE SmackDown just took a sharp turn — and it looks like Cody Rhodes is stepping up for more than just a mic segment.

According to PWInsider, Rhodes will now face Drew McIntyre in the main event of tonight’s October 17 edition of SmackDown, a major update that may confirm what many suspected: Jacob Fatu is likely off the card.

This comes just after WWE tweeted a promotional graphic hyping the originally advertised match between McIntyre and Fatu. At 5 PM ET, the official WWE account posted:

“.@jacobfatu_wwe and @DMcIntyreWWE collide TONIGHT on #SmackDown in San Jose!”

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But behind the scenes, the story seems to have changed. As BodySlam.net reported earlier, Fatu is dealing with a serious, non-wrestling-related health issue that could sideline him well into 2026. The report follows weeks of speculation, especially after insider CodyWhodes posted a GIF of Fatu with the cryptic caption: “The bug strikes another.”

While WWE has yet to make any official statement about Fatu’s condition, this pivot to a Rhodes vs. McIntyre main event feels like the company’s way of quietly adjusting plans without pulling the match entirely from promotional materials.

Cody was originally slated to address his controversial Crown Jewel loss to Seth Rollins, but it now appears his SmackDown spotlight will be even bigger — closing the show in the ring against McIntyre, one of WWE’s top stars. Whether this change is permanent or just a one-night shakeup remains to be seen.

Updated lineup for SmackDown tonight from the SAP Center in San Jose:

• Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria
• Cody Rhodes’ original segment addressing his Crown Jewel loss (status unclear)

With this new direction, SmackDown is shaping up to deliver one of the most unpredictable nights in recent memory.

Do you think WWE made the right move by replacing Fatu with Cody Rhodes in the main event? And should they have addressed the injury news more directly? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know what you expect to see tonight.