Cody Rhodes reclaimed the Undisputed WWE Championship on the March 6, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown, held at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, defeating Drew McIntyre in the main event. The YouTube upload of this match quickly amassed an overwhelming number of dislikes compared to likes, sparking widespread debate about fan dissatisfaction with the outcome and the booking decisions behind the event. The massive and one-sided negative reaction drew attention well beyond typical wrestling controversy.
Evidence Suggests Dislike Numbers May Have Been Artificially Inflated
As of the afternoon of March 7, 2026, the official SmackDown highlight video had nearly one million views with about 28,000 likes but more than 119,000 dislikes, an unusually skewed ratio for WWE content. New information emerged revealing that some of the dislikes may not be genuine fan responses. A Twitter user known as @rawaftermania40 openly admitted to purchasing bot-generated dislikes for the video, boasting about ordering tens of thousands artificially to provoke reactions.
“Yes I botted 65k and I’m not a Roman or Drew fan, i jsut wanted to see how everyone would react lol.”
The same user indicated plans to amplify the campaign the following day.
“You’re welcome. Already paid for a 100k more tomorrow.”
The posts included screenshots showing an apparent purchase of 65,000 YouTube dislikes targeting the SmackDown clip. After backlash and skepticism spread online, the account was deleted, but the claims triggered discussions on how much of the online negativity was authentic fan anger versus orchestrated manipulation.
Details of the Title Change Match and Its Aftermath
The title transition featured a chaotic sequence late in the match, as multiple referee bumps caused confusion. Drew McIntyre attempted to use a steel chair, but Jacob Fatu intervened, preventing the attack. This allowed Cody Rhodes to land his signature moves—the Cody Cutter followed by the Cross Rhodes—securing the championship victory. Despite the controversy over the video’s reception, this outcome remains official heading into WrestleMania 42.
Rhodes is slated to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in Las Vegas, following Orton’s victory in the 2026 Men’s Elimination Chamber and his subsequent attack on Rhodes with an RKO. This storyline was set before the dislike controversy and will likely continue to be a major focus for WWE fans.
Implications of Bot Activity on Online Wrestling Fandom
The discovery of purchased dislikes adds complexity to the public’s perception of the Cody Rhodes title win. It raises important questions about how external interference through bots may distort online engagement metrics and fan sentiment in major wrestling events. For fans and observers, discerning genuine reactions from fabricated ones will be crucial in evaluating the community’s true response to WWE storylines.
Whether the harsh backlash reflects real fan disappointment or is significantly exaggerated by artificial means remains a debated issue, influencing how promotions and audiences interpret digital feedback across platforms like YouTube.
