Cody Rhodes recaptured the WWE Championship from Drew McIntyre during a recent episode of WWE SmackDown, a development that received endorsement from WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray. While Ray praised the outcome favoring Rhodes, he expressed dissatisfaction with the match’s lack of stipulations, which he discussed openly on Busted Open.
Critique of the Match’s Structure and Stipulation Absence
The contest featuring Rhodes and McIntyre unfolded both inside and outside the ring, including moments where Rhodes was even driven through a table. Despite the physical intensity, Ray took issue with the match’s traditional format, emphasizing that the absence of special conditions detracted from the overall presentation.
I was happy with that television world championship match and I was unhappy with that television world championship match. The unhappy does not have anything to do with Cody or Drew. It has to do with the rules, the regulations, and the lack of stipulations. And I have the same problem with Cody and Drew’s match, the stipulations on that match, that I had with Kenny Omega and Okada at Wrestle Kingdom,
he said.
But as far as a television main event is concerned, mission accomplished.
?Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
Backing the Decision to Transition the WWE Championship
Despite criticism directed at McIntyre for losing the title shortly after his own victory over Rhodes, Ray firmly endorsed the creative choice. He regarded the switch as a strategic move for the brand and storyline development.
I have zero problems with this creative decision. I have zero problems with this change of direction. None. I think it was a great idea. Forget about great idea, I think it was a smart idea. I think it was a ‘best for business’ idea. And at the end of the day, it makes for a considerably better story,
he added. ?Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
Future Showdowns and Anticipation for Upcoming Matches
With this victory marking Rhodes’ third reign as WWE world champion, he is now set to face Randy Orton, the winner of the men’s Elimination Chamber match, at the upcoming major event known as The Show of Shows. Ray expressed eagerness not only for the pay-per-view clash but also for their in-ring encounter on SmackDown, drawing parallels to the excitement generated by the meeting of CM Punk and Roman Reigns on Raw.
The renewed focus on these headline matches underlines a growing momentum toward building compelling rivalries that will keep the WWE audience engaged as the storylines progress into the coming weeks.
