Drew McIntyre is preparing to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, following a controversial interference in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match last Saturday. This title bout was arranged by SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis as a consequence for McIntyre’s disruptive behavior that cost Rhodes his chance at the championship.
Background and Build-Up to the Title Confrontation
Over recent weeks, tensions have escalated between Drew McIntyre and Nick Aldis, the SmackDown GM, creating uncertainty around the future storylines. After McIntyre’s interference led Cody Rhodes to lose an opportunity at the championship, Aldis retaliated by booking them in a championship match. Many fans speculate that if Rhodes defeats McIntyre, he might face Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42, while McIntyre would likely direct his frustration toward Aldis, blaming him for losing the title.
Debate Over Nick Aldis’s Possible WrestleMania Return
Recent discussions on the Notsam Wrestling podcast highlighted the possibility of Nick Aldis stepping back into the ring to face Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42. WWE analyst Sam Roberts expressed a nuanced viewpoint on such a scenario, suggesting that while this match could make sense narratively, it would not be appropriate as a featured bout at WrestleMania.
“I’ve heard that theory bandied about, and I don’t think it’s a bad idea. I don’t think Drew McIntyre versus Nick Aldis is a bad idea. It doesn’t work for me as a WrestleMania match. I don’t think that you can realistically tell me that a guy who finally won the WWE Championship back, who was on a path to go to WrestleMania as the defending WWE champion, is now at WrestleMania fighting the general manager. I don’t think that you can tell me that those things are even remotely equivalent. I would love to see Nick Aldis versus Drew McIntyre. I think that it’s something you could do at a secondary paper PLE down the road. I think that it’s something you could do on an episode of SmackDown.” ?Sam Roberts, WWE Analyst
Roberts emphasized that matching McIntyre against Aldis on WrestleMania would diminish McIntyre’s achievement as WWE Champion and potentially hamper his momentum, given how successful his current run has been.
“I think it puts Drew in a weird spot. I mean, especially at WrestleMania, I don’t think Drew benefits greatly from beating Nick Aldis, nor does SmackDown, because I like Nick Aldis as GM. And I don’t know how Drew McIntyre comes back if he loses to Nick Aldis. So, no. For me, Nick Aldis versus Drew McIntyre is not a WrestleMania match just because I just don’t think in the current story it would serve Drew McIntyre whatsoever, win or lose. But I would love to see that match happen on TV or maybe at another pay-per-view or maybe down the road somewhere, where we’re not darting from Drew is the champion to Drew is fighting the general manager.” ?Sam Roberts, WWE Analyst
Considering Aldis wrestled his final match three years ago in October 2023, his return to active competition remains uncertain, further complicating the proposal of an Aldis vs. McIntyre face-off at WrestleMania 42.
Additional WWE Updates from the Current Week
In other WWE news, several significant developments took place across various shows. Rhea Ripley made an important career announcement during WWE RAW, signaling a new phase for her character.
Dominik Mysterio’s 93-day reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion abruptly ended on RAW, a surprising shift in the title’s lineage. Meanwhile, Seth Rollins made a return to WWE, sparking speculation about his potential WrestleMania opponent.
Dragon Lee experienced a challenging night on RAW, suffering an unmasking and loss that could shape his trajectory moving forward. Additionally, a former WWE star re-entered the wrestling scene merely five months after teasing retirement, signaling continued dynamism in the roster.
Notably, ex-AEW star Danhausen debuted during the Elimination Chamber event, attracting attention from female WWE talent expressing interest in competing against him at WrestleMania 42. Jade Cargill’s originally planned WrestleMania 42 opponent was also revealed, providing new context to ongoing narratives. Furthermore, a prominent WWE heel appears poised to transition to a babyface character following a recent return on RAW.
Implications and What to Expect Next
The upcoming Drew McIntyre WWE Championship defense against Cody Rhodes represents more than just a title match; it’s a pivotal moment in shaping WWE’s story arcs heading toward WrestleMania 42. The rising tension with Nick Aldis adds layers of complexity, though Aldis stepping into the ring at WrestleMania seems unlikely according to expert analysis. Should Rhodes claim the championship, the path toward a marquee WrestleMania bout with Randy Orton could redefine the roster’s landscape.
This week’s developments, including Rhea Ripley’s announcement and Dominik Mysterio’s title loss, highlight WWE’s rapidly evolving ecosystem, presenting fans with fresh rivalries and shifting alliances. As WWE builds momentum toward its flagship event, the outcomes on SmackDown and RAW will significantly influence the storylines leading to WrestleMania.
