SmackDown was able to confirm a new match for WWE Clash in Paris

WWE held a new SmackDown show last night, an event that took place in Perth, Australia, and did not feature Cody Rhodes, despite being locally announced and promoted by the company's digital media.

Prior to the main event, Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett confirmed that Cody Rhodes would not be at the show because the WWE champion was still out of action due to Drew McIntyre's attack on SmackDown a week ago. McIntyre himself intervened and provided his own update on Rhodes, which basically involved taunting him.

Drew McIntyre entered the ring and urged Cody to enjoy his time off to spend his last days with the WWE Championship because he, one of the few people who has already defeated him, would take it from him. As McIntyre continued speaking, Randy Orton appeared out of nowhere, got into the ring, and delivered an RKO on the Scotsman, thrilling the audience. 

There are rumors that this action could lead to a match at Clash in Paris, an event that currently has four confirmed matches. A few days ago, it was leaked that WWE was considering the possibility of pitting Cody Rhodes against Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, an event where the company aims to go all out as it marks the debut of premium event broadcasting on ESPN.

The battle against Randy Orton would be a detour, and also a way to make up for the defeat against The Viper at the Saturday Night's Main Event held on July 12. If confirmed, WWE is likely not to announce the match until next week on SmackDown.

Dave Meltzer, a Wrestling Observer journalist, mentioned in his latest news bulletin some additional matches for Clash in Paris. However, the match between Solo Sikoa and Sami Zayn will take place on Friday, on SmackDown, while the supposed match between Becky Lynch and Nikki Bella doesn't seem likely to happen, at least after what occurred on the blue brand show.