Cody Rhodes regained the Undisputed WWE Championship on the March 6 episode of SmackDown by defeating Drew McIntyre, ending McIntyre’s two-month reign. This victory, however, triggered an unprecedented negative response from fans, contrasting sharply with the reaction to Rhodes’ previous title wins. The video of Rhodes’ win quickly amassed over 58,000 dislikes on WWE’s YouTube channel within 24 hours, making it the most-disliked WWE video of 2026 so far.
Live crowd responses also reflected this discontent, with at least one spectator visibly expressing disapproval as Rhodes celebrated his title victory. The tense atmosphere raises questions about the fans’ current views on Rhodes’ standing as champion, especially given his past celebrated victories.
Upcoming WrestleMania 42 Title Defense Against Randy Orton
Rhodes is scheduled to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42, WWE’s biggest annual event. In recent reports, WWE reportedly stripped Rhodes of the title in January so he could participate in the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches, a strategic move to build fresh storylines heading into WrestleMania. This title win marks Rhodes’ third time holding the undisputed crown, following his acclaimed triumph over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 and his high-profile victory against John Cena at SummerSlam 2025, which remains one of WWE’s most praised matches from last year.
Context on Cody Rhodes’ Championship History and Fan Expectations
Cody Rhodes first captured the Undisputed WWE Championship in an historic moment at WrestleMania 40 by ending Roman Reigns’ 1,316-day reign, a feat that elevated Rhodes’ status among WWE fans and critics alike. His subsequent title win over John Cena was also widely regarded as a career highlight, celebrated for its storytelling and athleticism. Despite these achievements, the current backlash suggests a shift in fan sentiment, fueled by dissatisfaction with recent booking decisions and how Rhodes’ reign is unfolding on WWE programming.
As the build to WrestleMania 42 intensifies, the controversy surrounding Rhodes’ championship reign could influence crowd reactions and broader audience engagement, making his defense against Randy Orton a pivotal moment both for his character and WWE’s creative direction in 2026.
“He is the champion now, but the fans have made their feelings very clear about this reign.” ?Wrestling Analyst
