Drew McIntyre will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes this Friday on SmackDown, following a dramatic turn of events at the Elimination Chamber 2026. The match comes after McIntyre previously captured the title from Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell Match back in January, a victory that was shadowed by controversy due to a no-rematch clause inserted into their contract.
In the lead-up to the Elimination Chamber event, McIntyre, known as “The Scottish Psychopath,” consistently thwarted Rhodes’ attempts to regain his title shot. Each time Rhodes seemed poised for another opportunity, McIntyre intervened, ensuring that Rhodes remained on the sidelines. The latest escalation occurred during the Elimination Chamber, where McIntyre’s interference allowed Randy Orton to seize the moment and pin Rhodes, adding further turmoil to the ongoing rivalry.
Backstage, tensions flared between McIntyre and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis after the event. Aldis confronted McIntyre, leading to a heated exchange that required security intervention. In a surprising move, Aldis announced that McIntyre would face Rhodes this week, effectively nullifying the previously agreed upon no-rematch clause.
According to Pwinsider, internal discussions within WWE suggest that a title change could be imminent during the upcoming SmackDown. While one company source cautioned that plans can be fluid, it was emphasized that the potential outcome is not reflective of McIntyre’s performance. Instead, WWE appears focused on building towards a larger narrative involving Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton this year. Orton’s victory at the Elimination Chamber is viewed as a significant step in this storyline.
Looking ahead, McIntyre’s path to WrestleMania 42 remains uncertain. There are discussions of a possible Triple Threat match, and a potential program with Jacob Fatu has also been mentioned. Moreover, an angle involving McIntyre and Aldis could be on the horizon, particularly as Aldis has yet to make his official in-ring debut for WWE.
As the wrestling world anticipates this Friday’s showdown, fans are eager to see how these developments will shape the landscape of WWE heading into WrestleMania. The stakes have never been higher, and the drama continues to unfold.
