A heated rivalry is unfolding as Drew McIntyre, challenger for the WWE Championship, publicly criticizes current champion Cody Rhodes, accusing him of undermining other rising WWE superstars to maintain his top position. This confrontation intensifies ahead of their Wrestlepalooza main event match, spotlighting the ongoing Cody Rhodes WWE controversy.
Cody Rhodes has dominated WWE as a two-time and current WWE Champion, consistently remaining one of the most popular figures in the promotion for the past three years. McIntyre, who himself served as a leading babyface from 2020 to 2022, argues that Rhodes’ rise to the top came at the expense of other wrestlers’ opportunities. According to McIntyre, Rhodes prioritized his personal success above all else, a claim revealed during a recent WWE interview.
Drew McIntyre Criticizes Cody Rhodes’ Approach Behind the Scenes
In his candid remarks, McIntyre accused Rhodes of being deceptive and manipulative, suggesting that Rhodes openly admits to dishonesty on his podcast. McIntyre described Rhodes mockingly as “a liarbetic” who cannot help but lie. Beyond dishonesty, McIntyre highlighted a ruthless streak in Rhodes, noting their shared dedication to hard work but contrasting their methods. While both followed a “John Cena approach” of relentless effort and sacrifice, McIntyre accused Rhodes of mastering the art of flattery and political maneuvering to undermine competitors who posed a threat to his status.
“Let’s start with the liar thing – he said it himself, Cody Rhodes is a liar. Listen to his podcast, I know there’s a lot of content in WWE, but give it a listen. He’ll admit he lies all the time. He’s a liarbetic, he’s got liarbetes, he can’t help himself. So let’s move that one on. The manipulating aspect – we both have openly said we followed the John Cena approach. ‘Give it my all, sacrifice everything.’ I did. Cody did exactly the same, the big difference between both of us is that he learned to kiss ass just as good as Cena. He managed to cut off legs when people got anywhere close to him.”
— Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
McIntyre further accused Rhodes of having a singular obsession with holding the WWE Championship, suggesting that everything else is secondary to Rhodes’ personal ambitions.
“Cody Rhodes doesn’t care about anything else except that WWE Championship and himself, and everything else comes second.”
— Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
While this interview is part of WWE’s scripted programming and designed to build tension around their upcoming bout, many fans resonate with McIntyre’s blunt assessment of Rhodes’ career trajectory and backstage reputation. This controversy adds a layer of real-life intensity to the on-screen feud between the two former tag team partners.
Contract Signing Event Reveals Tensions Between Rhodes and McIntyre
The buildup reached a critical point during SmackDown on September 19, when WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre participated in a contract signing to officially set their Wrestlepalooza showdown. The encounter quickly turned hostile as McIntyre delivered a surprise headbutt to Rhodes, signaling his villainous role. Despite the attack, McIntyre refrained from delivering his signature Claymore Kick through the commentary table at this moment, though the violence escalated shortly afterward.
Rhodes struck back with a daring dive onto McIntyre outside the ring, but McIntyre eventually landed a Claymore Kick, flooring Rhodes. Before leaving, McIntyre taunted Rhodes, warning him that this would be the last night he holds the WWE Championship.
Wrestlepalooza Card Highlights Major Superstar Showdowns
Wrestlepalooza is set to be a star-studded event with multiple high-profile matches. The night will open with WWE legends John Cena and Brock Lesnar, setting the tone for an intense card. Following their contract signing confrontation, the Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre is expected to headline the event.
The full Wrestlepalooza lineup includes:
- John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
- CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch
- Vacant Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Iyo Sky
- The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker
The event will stream live on September 20 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ESPN in the United States, with Netflix streaming access available globally.
Other Developments on WWE SmackDown Before Wrestlepalooza
A variety of storylines and matches have unfolded on WWE SmackDown leading up to Wrestlepalooza, keeping fans engaged besides the Rhodes-McIntyre feud. Sami Zayn successfully defended his United States Championship against a former WWE Champion, maintaining his momentum on the show.
Meanwhile, former WWE star Torrie Wilson opened up about rejecting a controversial non-safe-for-work (NSFW) proposal made by Vince McMahon, highlighting ongoing tensions inside the company’s backstage environment.
Brock Lesnar asserted his dominance with a brutal attack on a retired WWE star, sending a chilling message to John Cena ahead of their Wrestlepalooza encounter. Additionally, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss overcame significant challenges in recent matches, solidifying their positions heading into the event.
Further backstage stories include Nikki Bella’s extended discussion with Seth Rollins about his knee injury, WWE Hall of Famer admitting to ignoring calls from the promotion post-retirement, and Triple H reflecting on the most important life decisions, amid his executive role as WWE’s Chief Content Officer.
What This Means for WWE and Cody Rhodes’ Position
The escalating conflict between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes crystallizes the ongoing struggles featured in WWE’s landscape where ambition, loyalty, and manipulation often collide. The allegations made by McIntyre evoke a sense of frustration and tension that goes beyond the scripted nature of WWE programming, inviting fans to question the dynamics behind the scenes.
As the Wrestlepalooza event approaches, this controversy surrounding Cody Rhodes WWE controversy heightens anticipation for their main event clash. The outcome could greatly influence the future trajectory of both superstars and potentially reshape the WWE championship scene. For viewers and insiders alike, the event promises a blend of sport, drama, and real emotional stakes.
