Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre have been locked in a competitive feud for several months, which culminated in Drew defeating Cody to claim the Undisputed WWE Championship in January. This shift marked a significant moment in their storyline, establishing McIntyre as the reigning champion.
Title Defenses and Upcoming Challenges
Recently, Randy Orton secured a title shot by winning the men’s Elimination Chamber match, setting up a high-stakes challenge. Nick Aldis later announced that Drew McIntyre would defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes on the latest episode of SmackDown, raising the possibility of a major title change. According to PWInsider, a match between Rhodes and Orton is currently planned for WrestleMania 42, indicating continued developments for the championship landscape.
Behind-the-Scenes Planning and Strategic Decisions
Reports from Fightful Select reveal that both Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton were informed as early as January about the WrestleMania match plans. One strategic reason for WWE removing the championship from Rhodes was to allow him to compete in the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches, enhancing the appeal of these events. However, the same report notes that plans remain flexible, and the WrestleMania bout could still undergo changes.
