Cody Rhodes secured his third Undisputed WWE Championship this week on SmackDown by defeating Drew McIntyre, establishing himself as one of the top competitors in the industry. The American Nightmare is set to headline Night One of WrestleMania 42, where he will defend his title against Randy Orton in a highly anticipated matchup in Las Vegas.
Reaction from Triple H and Cody Rhodes’ Response
Following Rhodes’ victory, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H shared an official poster highlighting Rhodes and Orton for WrestleMania 42 via X (formerly Twitter), confirming the title bout as a main event for the upcoming Show of Shows. Cody Rhodes later reacted by reposting the graphic, accompanied by a heart emoji, signaling his acknowledgment and excitement for the clash ahead.
Contract Signing Set to Build Anticipation in Phoenix
Next week, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton will participate in a contract signing segment in Phoenix to officially promote their WrestleMania match. The encounter could potentially feature shifts in character alignment or intensify tensions, adding further intrigue to their showdown at the event in Las Vegas.
Cody Rhodes Addresses Hostility Faced Online by WWE Performers
In a candid interview on Mighty Sports, Cody discussed the negative feedback WWE Superstars often encounter on social media platforms. He emphasized the reality behind online criticism, pointing out that not all harsh comments are automated or meaningless, and acknowledged the importance of recognizing genuine voices among fans and critics.
“Here’s the mistake people make. There’s no such thing as social media; that’s a lie. Social media is very real, and people are very real. ‘Oh, they’re bots?’ Not all of them. Sure, some of them are real. In the middle, there’s the truth. Is it a massive metric? Not as big as we think, but is it completely non-existent? No. You do have to hear them every now and then. I know when I’m walking into a building that’s going to give me ‘Let’s go, Cody / Cody sucks.’ And I know when I’m going to be walking into a building that’s just great. They’re happy to have me usually because of X, Instagram, and all those places,,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes’ acknowledgment of the complex relationship between performers and online audiences highlights the challenges wrestlers face beyond the ring, underscoring a deeper layer of pressure as he enters WrestleMania 42 holding the WWE Championship.
Upcoming Challenges and the Stakes at WrestleMania 42
With Rhodes carrying the WWE Championship into the biggest event of the year, much attention will focus on whether he can defend his title against Randy Orton, a seasoned veteran known for raising the stakes in high-profile encounters. Their rivalry and the dynamics evolving through the contract signing could shape the narrative dramatically as WrestleMania approaches.
Friends. Rivals. The Main Event.@CodyRhodes vs. @RandyOrton for the Undisputed @WWE Championship at #WrestleMania. @espn in US | @netflix internationally pic.twitter.com/gHozK1fbeo
— Triple H (@TripleH) March 7, 2026
