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Cody Rhodes will enter WrestleMania 42 as the undisputed WWE Champion as he regained the title from Drew McIntyre on “Friday Night SmackDown.”
Rhodes and McIntyre were engaged in a brutal feud that ended in a title showdown on Friday night. “The American Nightmare” hit McIntyre with a Cody Cutter from the top rope, then hit McIntyre with the Cross Rhodes in the center 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 about to use it for nefarious purposes.
The match was set up at the Elimination Chamber when McIntyre became involved in Rhodes’ attempt to win the match and give himself a title opportunity at WrestleMania. He did enough to cost Rhodes, but SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis started 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 returning to the top of the championship 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 part of Orton’s faction in 2008. About 16 years later, the two would face off on “the biggest stage of them all.”
There are now five matches scheduled 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 men’s Royal Rumble winner 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 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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Women’s Elimination Chamber winner Rhea Ripley will face Jade Cargill, while Brock Lesnar has issued an open challenge to anyone brave enough to face him.
WrestleMania 42 will take place April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
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