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Cody Rhodes will enter WrestleMania 42 as the Undisputed WWE Champion as he reclaimed the title from Drew McIntyre on “Friday Night SmackDown.”
Rhodes and McIntyre were locked in a brutal feud that ended with them locking horns 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 middle of the ring.
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Cody Rhodes holds the title belt during SmackDown at the Moda Center on March 6, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Melina Pizano/WWE via Getty Images)
He pinned McIntyre and the celebration began.
Jacob Fatu also got his hand involved in the match, taking a chair away from McIntyre, who was set on using it for nefarious purposes.
The match was set up at Elimination Chamber when McIntyre interfered with 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 unleashed his own war of words with McIntyre and booked the title match.
Cody Rhodes celebrates his victory during SmackDown at the 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 picture and earning his spot at WrestleMania 42. This is his third reign as Undisputed WWE 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. Some 16 years later, the two will match on “the grandest stage of them all.”
There are now five matches solidified for the event, although the days on which the matches will take place have not been worked out.
CM Punk will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Men’s Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns. Women’s Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan will challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the World Women’s Championship.
Randy Orton celebrates his victory during the WWE Elimination Chamber at the United Center on February 28, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)
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The winner of the Women’s Elimination Chamber, Rhea Ripley, will face off against Jade Cargill, while Brock Lesnar issued an open challenge to anyone brave enough to take him on.
WrestleMania 42 takes place on April 18 and April 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
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