The WWE Universe is abuzz as Cody Rhodes prepares to challenge Drew McIntyre for the undisputed WWE Championship on Friday’s SmackDown live event, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown ahead of WrestleMania 42. This anticipated match could determine the trajectory of the title scene, with implications for how the championship picture unfolds on the biggest stage of 2026.
Details Surrounding the Rhodes-McIntyre Title Fight
According to reports from PW Insider, Rhodes is widely expected to defeat McIntyre and become the new undisputed WWE Champion. This move appears to be motivated by WWE’s long-standing plan to deliver a WrestleMania main event featuring Rhodes, also known as the American Nightmare, against Randy Orton, who secured his title opportunity by winning the men’s Elimination Chamber match recently.
Although WWE may change the titleholder this week, the possibility remains that WrestleMania 42 could still feature a multi-competitor contest for the undisputed title. Names such as Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu have been mentioned as potential participants in this high-profile bout. Additionally, WWE might stage a singles contest between McIntyre and Fatu on WrestleMania’s grand stage, adding another layer to the championship landscape.
Despite these developments, there is a sense of uncertainty surrounding this year’s WrestleMania, with some fans and insiders noting a lack of clear direction and diminishing enthusiasm compared to previous years. The Rhodes-Orton rivalry has been teased repeatedly over the past year, making it an expected WrestleMania match, but questions remain about McIntyre’s role, who has been a standout heel character for over two years and deserves a prominent position at the event.
Behind the Scenes Drama Enhances Women’s Title Rivalry
The build-up to the WrestleMania women’s title match between Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill has generated notable buzz, partly fueled by their recent online exchanges. WWE officials are reportedly pleased with the attention stemming from the social media feud, which has effectively amplified hype for their upcoming contest.
Ripley earned her title shot after winning the women’s Elimination Chamber match, and she and Cargill have engaged in heated back-and-forth comments on X (formerly Twitter), a common promotional tactic among WWE talent. However, tensions escalated when Cargill alluded to Ripley having extensive conversations with WWE’s creative team—comments that sparked reactions from other superstars like Chelsea Green and Piper Niven, who defended Ripley.
We would never include a mention of creative as a part of that, it undermines the point,
said a member of WWE’s creative staff, highlighting displeasure at the reference to behind-the-scenes discussions.
Ripley responded on Instagram with a now-deleted post:
Not having fun. Not friends. Learn to work and never lie to defame someone’s real human character by ‘breaking the 4th wall.’
Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer elaborated that much of the online conflict was a storyline, but certain remarks mirrored backstage sentiments about Cargill. Despite this, reports suggest no real backstage animosity between the two competitors, with expectations set that they will deliver strong performances at WrestleMania.
Cargill, who claimed the SmackDown women’s championship from Tiffany Stratton in November, has faced criticism for infrequent title defenses over the last four months. This issue is perceived as creative rather than personal, which has somewhat diminished the impact of her championship run. Nevertheless, the WrestleMania match against Ripley will be a critical moment in Cargill’s career, one that could define her future standing.
Royce Keys’ Status and Future in WWE Programming
Following his Royal Rumble debut, Royce Keys, formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, has yet to make a significant television impact, leaving his WWE tenure’s direction unclear. During a WrestleVotes question and answer session, the consensus was that Keys is likely to join SmackDown eventually, though no concrete timeline has been provided.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. We had speculated for months that SmackDown was the place for him. It certainly does seem like that’s going to be his home. He was backstage Friday night… Don’t know when he’s showing up on TV. Hopefully they have an idea. Hopefully this is part of the plan.
Keys entered the men’s Royal Rumble match at number 14 on January 31, during which he eliminated Damian Priest but was later ousted by Bronson Reed. An anticipated feud between Keys and Bronson Reed seemed plausible, though Reed suffered a torn biceps in a qualifying match that required surgery, leading to an indefinite absence announced by Michael Cole on Raw.
Throughout February, Keys appeared backstage on several occasions and competed in dark matches, scoring victories over Nathan Frazer and Alex Shelley. Given WWE’s traditional approach to debuting new talent after WrestleMania through roster resets and talent promotions from NXT, it’s likely that Keys’ official main roster appearance will be planned post-event.
Considering his impactful Royal Rumble showing, which included eliminating a former world heavyweight champion, WWE seems to have significant plans for Keys in 2026, possibly positioning him as a notable new presence on SmackDown or Raw.
Implications for WrestleMania and WWE’s Future Landscape
The evolving storylines surrounding Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, and Randy Orton suggest WrestleMania 42 will feature compelling championship drama, though some ambiguity about the exact format persists. Rhodes poised to capture the undisputed WWE Championship aligns with WWE’s strategic intent to build a marquee match against Orton, promising a potentially electrifying main event.
Meanwhile, the intensified rivalry between Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill, amplified both online and in-ring prospects, adds substantial intrigue to the women’s division heading into WrestleMania. With challenges such as Cargill’s criticized title reign and Keys’ uncertain debut timetable, WWE faces a critical moment to maintain fan engagement amid rising tensions and uncertainties.
As WWE moves closer to WrestleMania, resolving these narrative threads and delivering impactful performances will be vital in regaining momentum for the company’s flagship event and setting the tone for 2026’s wrestling calendar.
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
Cody Rhodes is scheduled to challenge Drew McIntyre for the title this Friday on Smackdown, and the expectation is that there will likely be a title change there.
One WWE source, citing there could always be changes in the direction, stated it was not a shot at Drew… pic.twitter.com/44vjyiHk2f
— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) March 3, 2026
