Cody Rhodes is confirmed to return to WWE in time for Wrestlepalooza on September 20, where he will face Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Rhodes’ return had been uncertain due to his ongoing filming commitments in Australia for the upcoming live-action Street Fighter movie, in which he plays Guile.
His involvement in the movie raised questions regarding whether he would complete filming early enough to participate in the Wrestlepalooza event. Drew McIntyre was initially scheduled to face Rhodes, but WWE prepared for the possibility of Rhodes’ absence by positioning Randy Orton as an alternate opponent for McIntyre.
Changes in WWE Match Lineup and Schedule
Despite plans involving Orton potentially facing McIntyre at Wrestlepalooza, WWE announced that their match will occur on this week’s SmackDown instead. This development aligns with confirmation that Rhodes will finish filming and be available for the pay-per-view event.
Sports journalist Dave Meltzer provided clarity during Wrestling Observer Radio, stating that Rhodes’ participation was previously uncertain due to filming schedules but is now confirmed. Meltzer explained the contingency plan:
“But yeah, it’s Cody and Drew.” —Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Radio
This update confirms that Cody Rhodes will challenge Drew McIntyre at Wrestlepalooza for the championship, maintaining the anticipated main event storyline.
Context on Rhodes’ Filming and WWE’s Planning
The Street Fighter movie, featuring Rhodes as Guile, is slated for release on October 16, 2026, and is part of a production deal with Paramount and Legendary. Rhodes’ commitment to the film understandably impacted the timing of his WWE return, leading to WWE’s preparation of alternate match plans to adapt to his availability.
This flexible approach illustrates WWE’s effort to maintain high-profile championship matches even amid scheduling uncertainties involving top stars like Rhodes.
Implications of Rhodes’ Return for WWE and Wrestlepalooza
Cody Rhodes’ confirmed presence at Wrestlepalooza ensures that the event will feature a major title matchup between two of WWE’s leading competitors. This is likely to strengthen pay-per-view attendance and interest, especially given the anticipation surrounding Rhodes’ return after his Hollywood endeavors.
For fans and stakeholders, Rhodes’ ability to balance his acting career and professional wrestling signals a notable dual trajectory that could influence WWE’s future event planning and promotional strategies.
