Cody Rhodes captures Undisputed WWE Championship, sets up epic WrestleMania 42 match

Cody Rhodes volition locomotion into WrestleMania 42 arsenic the undisputed WWE champion arsenic helium took the rubric backmost from Drew McIntyre connected "Friday Night SmackDown."

Rhodes and McIntyre were locked successful a brutal feud that ended with them locking horns for the rubric connected Friday night. "The American Nightmare" deed McIntyre with a Cody Cutter from the apical enactment and past deed McIntyre with the Cross Rhodes successful the halfway of the ring.

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Cody Rhodes holds the rubric loop during SmackDown astatine Moda Center connected March 6, 2026 successful Portland, Oregon. (Melina Pizano/WWE via Getty Images)

He pinned McIntyre and the solemnisation began.

Jacob Fatu besides got his manus progressive successful the lucifer arsenic well, taking a seat distant from McIntyre who was acceptable to usage it for nefarious purposes.

The lucifer was arranged astatine the Elimination Chamber erstwhile McIntyre got himself progressive successful Rhodes’ effort to triumph the lucifer and springiness himself an accidental for the rubric astatine WrestleMania. He did capable to outgo Rhodes then, but SmackDown wide manager Nick Aldis sparked his ain warfare of words with McIntyre and booked the rubric match.

Cody Rhodes celebrate's his triumph during SmackDown astatine Moda Center connected March 6, 2026 successful Portland, Oregon. (Melina Pizano/WWE via Getty Images)

It ended with Rhodes backmost connected apical of the title representation and earning his spot astatine WrestleMania 42. It's his 3rd reign arsenic Undisputed WWE champion.

He volition beryllium going up against Randy Orton, who won the men’s Elimination Chamber match. Orton and Rhodes person a agelong backstory that began erstwhile Rhodes was successful Orton’s faction successful 2008. About 16 years later, the 2 volition person lucifer connected "the grandest signifier of them all."

There are present 5 matches solidified for the event, though the days connected which the matches volition instrumentality spot person not been figured out.

CM Punk volition support the World Heavyweight Championship against men’s Royal Rumble victor Roman Reigns. Women’s Royal Rumble victor Liv Morgan volition situation Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship.

Randy Orton celebrates his triumph during WWE Elimination Chamber astatine the United Center connected Feb. 28, 2026 successful Chicago, Illinois. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)

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Women’s Elimination Chamber victor Rhea Ripley volition spell up against Jade Cargill, portion Brock Lesnar issued an unfastened situation for anyone brave capable to spell up against him.

WrestleMania 42 volition instrumentality spot connected April 18 and April 19 astatine Allegiant Stadium successful Las Vegas.

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