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Cody Rhodes will enter WrestleMania 42 as the undisputed WWE champion when he took the title from Drew McIntyre on “Friday Night SmackDown.”
Rhodes and McIntyre were locked in a brutal brawl that ended with them facing off for the title on Friday night. “The American Nightmare” hit McIntyre with a Cody Cutter from the top rope and then hit McIntyre with the Cross Rhodes in the center of the ring.
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Cody Rhodes holds the belt during SmackDown at Moda Center on March 6, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Melina Pizano/WWE via Getty Images)
He covered McIntyre and the celebration began.
Jacob Fatu also participated in the match, taking a chair from McIntyre, who was ready to use it for nefarious purposes.
The match was set up at Elimination Chamber when McIntyre became involved in Rhodes’ attempt to win the match and give himself a title shot at WrestleMania. He did enough to cost Rhodes then, but SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis sparked his own war of words with McIntyre and booked the title match.
Cody Rhodes celebrates his victory during SmackDown at Moda Center on March 6, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Melina Pizano/WWE via Getty Images)
It ended with Rhodes back on top of the championship and earning his spot at WrestleMania 42. It is his third reign as WWE Undisputed Champion.
He will face Randy Orton, who won the men’s Elimination Chamber match. Orton and Rhodes have a long history that began when Rhodes was in Orton’s faction in 2008. Approximately 16 years later, the two will face off on “the grandest stage of them all.”
There are now five matches solidified for the event, although the days on which they will take place have not been determined.
CM Punk will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against the winner of the men’s Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns. Women’s Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan will challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship.
Randy Orton celebrates his victory during WWE Elimination Chamber at the United Center on February 28, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)
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Women’s Elimination Chamber winner Rhea Ripley will face Jade Cargill, while Brock Lesnar issued an open challenge to anyone brave enough to take him on.
WrestleMania 42 will take place on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
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