On the evening of March 6, WWE’s SmackDown broadcast took place live from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, marking the start of the critical seven-week lead-up to WrestleMania 42 scheduled for April 18 and 19. The episode caught many off guard as Cody Rhodes, after falling short in both the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches, was suddenly thrust into a WWE Championship match against Drew McIntyre. This unexpected title bout offers Rhodes a chance to claim the championship ahead of WrestleMania 42, where Randy Orton awaits as the Elimination Chamber winner set to challenge the champion.
Controversy Surrounds Unexpected Match Booking and Title Implications
The decision to pit Rhodes against McIntyre tonight comes from WWE General Manager Nick Aldis, who is deliberately penalizing McIntyre for repeatedly interfering in Rhodes’ recent matches. Aldis appears intent on giving Rhodes an immediate path to the title despite his losses, rather than forcing him to wait for WrestleMania. This booking has stirred confusion and criticism, particularly since another competitor, Jacob Fatu, who has been consistently obstructed by McIntyre backstage and denied Chamber qualification, has yet to receive a similar opportunity.
Aldis has promised Fatu eventual retribution against McIntyre, but in the meantime, Rhodes was instead granted the championship match, suggesting a potentially manufactured storyline to push Rhodes into WrestleMania’s prime main event spot. Rhodes entered the match as a favorite to reclaim the title, though there remains skepticism that outside interference, possibly involving Fatu or other wrestlers, could lead to a disqualification finish.
Drew McIntyre’s Legal Maneuvers and Strategy for Title Retention
Before the match, Drew McIntyre revealed that his legal team was attempting to have the contest canceled, which fans interpreted as a last-ditch effort to avoid battling Rhodes tonight. Nevertheless, McIntyre confirmed he had a plan to retain the championship through cunning and resilience, promising to remain
“the smartest guy in the room”
in order to keep hold of the title.
The winner of this bout will enter WrestleMania 42 as the reigning WWE Champion, tasked with defending the gold against Randy Orton, who earned his place by winning the Elimination Chamber match.
Additional Developments and Title Contention on SmackDown
Last week’s SmackDown saw Uncle Howdy defeat Solo Sikoa but fail to claim the Wyatt family lantern due to an assault from MFT, the WWE tag team champions. Tonight, Aldis plans to determine the new number one contenders for MFT’s titles, though details of the competitors or match format remain unannounced. Speculation is rife that a notable figure like Royce Keys could dominate the tag team scene, making current challengers irrelevant.
Complementing the male title scenes, Rhea Ripley, fresh off her Elimination Chamber victory, arrived on SmackDown aiming for a WrestleMania title match against WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill. Observers are curious whether Ripley and Cargill will engage in a promotional feud on tonight’s show, potentially continuing recent online disputes that some view as scripted while others believe to be genuine tensions.
Women’s Tag Team Champions Prepare to Face Potential Challenges
On the women’s tag team front, Lash Legend and Nia Jax celebrated their recent championship win during the episode. However, the festivities could be interrupted if Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss choose to challenge the newly crowned champions, Irresistible Forces, for their titles at WrestleMania. Additionally, fans have voiced frustration over the noticeable absence of the Bella Twins in recent programming, wondering about their status heading into WWE’s biggest event.
Other Storylines and WrestleMania Prospects Unfolding on SmackDown
Tiffany Stratton, who fell short in her Elimination Chamber effort, faces uncertainty regarding her path to WrestleMania. Tonight, she might create opportunities by inserting herself into storylines surrounding United States Champion Giulia. Meanwhile, Randy Orton, after his victory over Cody Rhodes in the Elimination Chamber, may have to settle unfinished business with Aleister Black and Zelina Vega before preparing for the WrestleMania title defense.
Sami Zayn continues to struggle with frustration, swinging between blaming fellow babyfaces and issuing weak apologies, most recently targeting Rhodes and Fatu. Fans are watching to see which babyface will be the next recipient of his outburst, and whether Trick Williams will be conveniently positioned to mock Zayn afterward.
Despite Oba Femi now engaging with Rusev on Raw, there is still speculation about whether he plans to make disruptive appearances on SmackDown, perhaps targeting lower-tier wrestlers like The Miz or Kit Wilson. A separate mystery concerns the assailant who attacked Jey Uso last week; it remains unclear if this figure has followed Uso to Raw or remains lurking on SmackDown seeking another victim.
United States Champion Carmelo Hayes has issued open challenges following Ilja Dragunov’s recent momentum loss, with Tama Tonga anticipated to potentially step forward. Jordynne Grace rebounded last week with a victory over Candice LeRae, despite Johnny Gargano’s poor support at ringside, raising questions about how LeRae might inspire Gargano to break out of his slump.
Returning to SmackDown, Michin aims to confront Jade Cargill directly to demand a title match, possibly interrupting Jade’s segment with Rhea Ripley tonight. There is also buzz about Danhausen making his debut on the blue brand and delivering his trademark curses. Meanwhile, fans continue to express their puzzlement over the prolonged absence of the Street Profits.
Upcoming Stakes and Expectations for SmackDown’s Impact on WrestleMania
Tonight’s episode of SmackDown carries significant weight, particularly due to the highly unexpected WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre. The sudden elevation of Rhodes into this spotlight not only reshapes WrestleMania 42’s main event but reflects WWE’s evolving storylines and booking strategies amidst growing skepticism among the fanbase. The outcomes and developments will influence multiple titles and character arcs, setting the stage for what promises to be a dramatic build-up to WWE’s premier annual event.
