Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre to Battle for Undisputed WWE Championship on SmackDown

Three possible finishes as Rhodes seeks another title opportunity ahead of WrestleMania 42

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The highly anticipated Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre is set for this week's SmackDown. After Randy Orton's controversial victory in the Elimination Chamber, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis has granted Rhodes another chance at the title. There are several intriguing possibilities for how the match could unfold, including potential interference from 'The Samoan Werewolf' Jacob Fatu, a possible Fatal 4-Way at WrestleMania, or even a non-finish that keeps the title picture murky heading into the biggest event of the year.

Why it matters

This match is a crucial step on the road to WrestleMania 42, as the winner will likely main event Night 1 of the event for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The ongoing rivalry between Rhodes, McIntyre, Orton, and Fatu adds layers of intrigue, as any of them could play a role in determining who walks away as champion.

The details

After Randy Orton won the 2026 Men's Elimination Chamber Match last weekend, he set his sights on the Undisputed WWE Championship held by Drew McIntyre. However, McIntyre once again targeted Cody Rhodes, hitting him with a Claymore Kick. Orton then capitalized by hitting an RKO on Rhodes to secure the victory. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis has now granted Rhodes another opportunity to challenge McIntyre for the title this week on the blue brand.

  • Randy Orton won the 2026 Men's Elimination Chamber Match last weekend in Chicago.
  • On last week's SmackDown, Drew McIntyre interfered in the match between Jacob Fatu and Logan Paul, costing Fatu his spot in the Elimination Chamber Match.

The players

Cody Rhodes

A former Undisputed WWE Champion who is seeking another opportunity at the title.

Drew McIntyre

The current Undisputed WWE Champion, known as 'The Scottish Warrior'.

Randy Orton

A former Undisputed WWE Champion who won the 2026 Men's Elimination Chamber Match, but his victory was not without controversy.

Jacob Fatu

Also known as 'The Samoan Werewolf', Fatu has a rivalry with Drew McIntyre and could potentially play a role in the outcome of the title match.

Nick Aldis

The SmackDown General Manager who has granted Cody Rhodes another opportunity at the Undisputed WWE Championship.

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What’s next

The winner of the Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre match on SmackDown will likely main event Night 1 of WrestleMania 42 for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated match between Rhodes and McIntyre is a crucial step on the road to WrestleMania, with several potential outcomes that could shape the main event picture for WWE's biggest event of the year. The involvement of other top superstars like Randy Orton and Jacob Fatu adds an extra layer of intrigue to the proceedings.