Cody Rhodes’ unexpected defeat in the ‘Three Stages of Hell’ match against Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship has set the WWE universe abuzz, causing major uncertainty around the focus keyword: Cody Rhodes title loss. With WrestleMania 42 fast approaching, plans for the main event and several storylines are now unclear, leaving both fans and WWE superstars questioning what comes next.
A Sudden Shift in the WrestleMania Main Event Picture
Entering the blockbuster SmackDown in Berlin as the reigning champion, Cody Rhodes was widely considered the likely headliner for WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. His status as The American Nightmare all but guaranteed him a prominent place on the event’s marquee. However, following his dramatic title loss to Drew McIntyre, Rhodes’ role at the Grandest Stage of Them All is now in jeopardy. The WWE creative team appears unlikely to bring him immediately back into the title picture, breaking a narrative that seemed set for months.
The speculation about who would stand across from Rhodes in the Las Vegas spotlight has now dissipated, replaced by uncertainty around both his potential opponents and even his participation in the main event. Drew McIntyre’s triumph on SmackDown has reset expectations for the flagship premium live event, leaving both wrestlers and fans in a period of intense speculation.
The Championship Landscape Faces Unexpected Changes
Drew McIntyre’s newly earned status as Undisputed WWE Champion shocked viewers, particularly because title switches on regular SmackDown episodes are rare in recent years. His victory also changed the trajectory of the “blue brand” as WWE quickly announced a series to determine the number one contender for his newly claimed championship. In a significant twist, neither Cody Rhodes nor Jacob Fatu—both previously central to storylines around the world championship—are included in this contest to find the next challenger.
Triple H, a key backstage influencer in WWE, is reportedly opting to spotlight a fresh contender rather than reverting to established names. With McIntyre holding the belt heading into the Royal Rumble PLE, the world title scene is more unpredictable than ever, leaving longtime supporters and analysts to wonder who will step up for a shot at McIntyre’s new reign.
Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu Enter a New Rivalry Phase
Before WrestleMania 42, there had been no obvious signs of Cody Rhodes making a villainous turn. However, the closing moments of the ‘Three Stages of Hell’ match shifted the dynamic when Jacob Fatu dramatically interfered, directly impacting Rhodes’ defeat. This action has kindled a fresh animosity between The American Nightmare and The Samoan Werewolf, setting the stage for a possible new feud rather than a title chase.
This twist could see Rhodes tapping into a more ruthless and vengeful side, using Fatu’s interference as justification for embracing darker elements of his character. The involuntary ending to his championship reign may provide the fuel for Rhodes to embark on a major character arc, allowing him to delve into a heel persona that WWE storytelling has only hinted at before.
Roman Reigns’ Road to the Royal Rumble Reconsidered
WWE had been laying groundwork for a third WrestleMania showdown between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns since their clash at Survivor Series. Reigns was considered a favorite to win the upcoming Royal Rumble and challenge Rhodes for the championship at WrestleMania 42, a storyline that excited many fans. Now, with Rhodes having lost his title, the expectation for another high-profile clash between the two has been seriously undermined.
With Rhodes out of the championship spotlight and WrestleMania plans in flux, the logic behind pushing Roman Reigns as the Rumble winner has diminished considerably. WWE appears to have put aside the anticipated Reigns versus Rhodes confrontation, directing attention instead to new challengers and fresh rivalries ahead of WrestleMania and the Royal Rumble in Las Vegas.
The Ripple Effect on the Road to WrestleMania
Cody Rhodes’ title loss not only reshuffles the main event at WrestleMania 42 but also reverberates through multiple ongoing WWE storylines. McIntyre’s championship win, Rhodes’ character transformation, and Roman Reigns’ altered path toward the Royal Rumble all signal a period of turbulence and unpredictability for WWE’s biggest season. Triple H’s move to elevate new contenders injects further suspense into a landscape already transformed by recent events.
All eyes now turn to what WWE will deliver at the Royal Rumble PLE and beyond, particularly as the company crafts its final plans for WrestleMania in Las Vegas. Whether Cody Rhodes can reclaim his status, embrace a darker persona, or pursue new rivalries remains one of the most compelling questions in professional wrestling as 2024’s key events approach.
