On January 9, 2026, WWE SmackDown in Berlin witnessed a significant shift when Cody Rhodes lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre after an intense Three Stages of Hell match, a move that redirected the path of the Cody Rhodes WWE Championship era. As the dust settled, speculation rose about Triple H’s intentions for altering the main event landscape, a decision that likely stems from long-term narrative strategies.
Addressing the Mixed Reactions from WWE Fans
Leading up to this event, Cody Rhodes, celebrated for his relentless effort and charisma, began to receive a more complicated response from live audiences. The crowd’s energy shifted, with echoes of John Cena’s polarizing reactions surfacing during the 2025 King of the Ring finals, and some fans in Berlin responding with clear dissent. This trend indicated that Rhodes’s portrayal as a steadfast hero was starting to fatigue fans, particularly those loyal to WWE’s edgier side.
Triple H’s history as a decision-maker shows an acute sense for the audience’s pulse, never shying away from shaking up marquee acts before they fall out of favor. Ceding the championship at this pivotal moment positions Cody as an underdog, primed for a journey to re-earn unwavering support, and sidesteps potential backlash reminiscent of the crowd’s previous rejections of over-pushed stars. This move grants The American Nightmare space to refresh his relationship with the WWE audience.
Strategic Build Toward WrestleMania 42
With the Royal Rumble approaching and the Road to WrestleMania about to begin, the title change initiates a fresh creative chapter for WWE. Placing the championship in Drew McIntyre’s hands presents a new “Final Boss” figure for the SmackDown brand, opening up original championship rivalries that were not plausible with Cody holding the belt as a long-term hero. McIntyre’s reign sets the stage for possible feuds with contenders like Sami Zayn or Randy Orton, invigorating the lineup for the upcoming grand event.
Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes is now free to pursue highly personal storylines outside the title picture, potentially culminating in long-awaited payoffs such as a confrontation with Jacob Fatu or a conclusive Bloodline angle. This narrative freedom adds depth to WrestleMania 42’s card, allowing WWE to diversify its main storylines and elevate new stars within the main event scene.
Personal Reasons: Welcoming a New Family Member
A more personal but equally important factor underlying this decision revolves around Cody Rhodes’s family life. In August 2025, Cody and Brandi Rhodes discreetly welcomed their second daughter, Leilani Ella. Despite the joys and demands of family, Cody remained an ever-present figure in WWE, carrying the immense responsibilities that come with being Undisputed Champion—including grueling travel and incessant media obligations.
This latest development gives Cody the chance to step back from the relentless schedule, affording him precious time with Brandi and their daughters, Leilani Ella and her older sibling. Relinquishing the championship doesn’t just benefit his career trajectory but also allows for necessary personal rejuvenation, ensuring that whenever Cody makes his eventual return, he does so reinvigorated and with fresh stories ready to captivate the WWE universe once again.
This combination of fan sentiment, shifting creative direction on the way to WrestleMania, and deeply personal family priorities helps explain why Triple H chose to end the second Cody Rhodes WWE Championship run in Berlin. The decision not only promises new excitement for fans but also underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of professional wrestling’s biggest stage.
