The eagerly anticipated Drew McIntyre Cody Rhodes match delay is confirmed, as the bout will not take place at the upcoming Clash in Paris event. Following a brutal Claymore from McIntyre, Cody Rhodes has been absent from <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE television, with the Scottish Warrior seeking updates on Rhodes’ medical condition but unable to obtain solid information. Though the Undisputed WWE Championship match is guaranteed, the date for this high-profile confrontation remains uncertain.
Reasons Behind the Match’s Absence from Clash in Paris 2025
The Clash in Paris card already features several major matches, including Roman Reigns versus Bronson Reed, Nikki Bella taking on Becky Lynch, a Fatal Four-Way match led by Seth Rollins, and John Cena facing Logan Paul. Given this stacked lineup, WWE appears to have opted to delay the Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes match to preserve its impact for a subsequent premium live event. This strategic move allows the promotion to focus on other blockbuster contests at Clash in Paris while building anticipation for the McIntyre-Rhodes showdown.
According to analysis from Sam Roberts on Notsam Wrestling, Drew McIntyre’s recent attitude suggests he is not rushing this match. Instead of explaining his attack on Cody Rhodes, McIntyre has been reveling in his decisive victory over the Undisputed WWE Champion. Roberts predicts that the match will be saved for a later big event rather than being hastily added to Clash in Paris.
“He’s kind of over all of it and is almost just taking a victory lap, where he says that first, he says Cody should enjoy his title as much as humanly possible. He said he should throw his wife out of bed and sleep with the belt. He said because he’s pinned Cody Rhodes before, and the next time Drew pins Cody Rhodes, Drew says it’ll be for the WWE Championship. Drew says hold the title tight. I’m letting you hold on to it for a little while longer, but just know, as soon as you’re back, that title is as good as mine.So right there in that moment, I’m going, you know, we’re not getting Drew versus Cody at Clash in Paris. And I think a lot of people assumed that we would get there immediately, but it doesn’t seem like that’s what we’re doing. I don’t get that feeling whatsoever. I don’t think this is a match that gets announced the night before Clash of Paris and then boom, here we go. You promote this match, you know, and there’s a big PLE coming up that I think they’ll want to promote this match for.”
—Sam Roberts, Wrestling Analyst
Potential Rescheduling for Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes
The global wrestling promotion may schedule the match for WrestlePalooza in September 2025, a future premium live event that could also feature the anticipated John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar bout. Holding McIntyre versus Rhodes for a major event like WrestlePalooza could offer the attention the contest deserves and provide ample time for Rhodes to recover fully. This delay also ensures the storyline buildup between the Scottish Warrior and The American Nightmare reaches its proper climax.
Additional Major Announcements for WWE Clash in Paris
While the Drew McIntyre Cody Rhodes match delay is disappointing for some fans, Clash in Paris will still present several marquee championship matches. Roman Reigns faces Bronson Reed in a high-stakes bout, while the women’s division showdown features Nikki Bella against Becky Lynch. Seth Rollins leads a Fatal Four-Way match, and John Cena’s encounter with Logan Paul adds further star power. These matchups maintain the pay-per-view’s status as a must-watch event despite the absence of the McIntyre-Rhodes rivalry.
Recent WWE Injury and Roster Updates
Besides the schedule changes, WWE is managing injury situations that impact its roster’s dynamics. A younger star recently suffered a facial injury during a live event, requiring medical treatment and causing concern about his return timeline. Meanwhile, in other wrestling promotions, some injured wrestlers are returning or being written off, reflecting ongoing shifts in competitive storytelling and performer availability.
Context on AEW and WWE Rivalries and Collaborations
Though WWE and AEW continue their competitive wrestling narrative, there have been moments of unexpected camaraderie, such as WWE and AEW stars being spotted together at a football match between Newcastle and Liverpool. This indicates that while the in-ring competition is fierce, cordial relations exist outside the ring.
Recent Developments in AEW Rules and Wrestler Retirements
Alongside WWE updates, AEW has altered a major rule concerning Casino Gauntlet cash-ins, reflecting its evolving match formats. Additionally, a former WWE Champion has officially retired a notorious brutal gimmick match, while another top AEW star has hinted at an impending retirement, adding further drama to the wrestling world’s future landscape.
Tag Team Championship Changes Highlight Cross-Promotion Events
During the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event, the AEW Tag Team Championship changed hands after a contentious finish, showcasing the ongoing dynamic and sometimes controversial nature of wrestling storylines that engage fans worldwide.
Significance and Future Outlook of the Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes Match Delay
The postponement of the Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes match marks a significant development in WWE’s storytelling approach, emphasizing thoughtful pacing over immediate payoff. By shelving the contest until a later premium event, WWE aims to maximize its narrative impact, maintain Rhodes’ health, and allow McIntyre to build further momentum. Fans can expect heightened anticipation as the promotion prepares an explosive showdown, which will likely become a central storyline in late 2025 wrestling programming.
This delay also underscores the challenges WWE faces in balancing star power, event card depth, and performer availability amid injuries and scheduling constraints. How WWE leverages this time to deepen the rivalry between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes will be critical to delivering a memorable championship encounter.
