The upcoming Undisputed WWE Championship match on SmackDown between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes is shaping up to be one of the most important matches on the road to WrestleMania 42.
After the dramatic ending to the 2026 Men’s Elimination Chamber match—where Randy Orton took advantage of McIntyre’s interference and pinned Rhodes—the rivalry between these top stars has become even more intense. Now, with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis granting Rhodes another title opportunity, several outcomes could reshape WWE’s biggest event of the year.
Below are the three most likely scenarios for how the match could end.
1. Jacob Fatu Interferes and Costs Drew McIntyre
One of the most logical outcomes involves Jacob Fatu interfering in the match.
Last week on SmackDown, McIntyre interfered in Fatu’s match with Logan Paul, costing him a chance to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match. Because of that, Fatu returning the favor by interfering in the championship match would make perfect storyline sense.
Possible outcomes if this happens:
- Rhodes wins the Undisputed WWE Championship.
- McIntyre demands a rematch.
- Fatu enters the title picture due to his involvement.
This scenario could easily lead to a Fatal 4-Way title match at WrestleMania featuring:
- Rhodes
- McIntyre
- Orton
- Fatu
That kind of match would instantly raise the stakes for WWE’s biggest show.
2. Cody Rhodes Wins Clean
Another possibility is that Rhodes simply wins the match without interference.
Reports suggest that WWE is strongly considering a match between Rhodes and Orton at WrestleMania. If that is the plan, Rhodes would likely need to regain the championship first.
A clean win would:
- Reestablish Rhodes as champion.
- Set up the long-teased feud between Rhodes and Orton.
- Give fans a major main event for WrestleMania.
The story between Rhodes and Orton has been building slowly for months. Since Orton capitalized on McIntyre’s interference at Elimination Chamber to eliminate Rhodes, tensions between the two longtime allies are clearly growing.
The downside of this scenario is that McIntyre would be pushed out of the title picture despite winning the championship recently.
3. Drew McIntyre Retains with a Twist
The third possibility is that McIntyre keeps the title—but not in a simple way.
Several wild-card superstars could influence the outcome:
- Randy Orton accidentally costing Rhodes
- Sami Zayn getting involved after recent tensions
- Jacob Fatu unintentionally affecting the result
Another classic WWE option is a non-finish, such as:
- Disqualification
- Double count-out
- Double pin
If the match ends this way, WWE could easily book a multi-man championship match at WrestleMania.
The Most Likely Outcome
Based on current storylines, the most likely finish is Cody Rhodes winning the championship—possibly due to interference from Jacob Fatu.
That result would accomplish several things:
- Continue McIntyre’s feud with Fatu
- Set up Rhodes vs. Orton at WrestleMania
- Keep multiple stars involved in the title picture
However, WWE often adds surprises on the road to WrestleMania, so a shocking twist involving Orton or Zayn cannot be ruled out.
FAQs
Who is challenging for the Undisputed WWE Championship on SmackDown?
Cody Rhodes is challenging Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship on SmackDown.
Why is Cody Rhodes getting another title opportunity?
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis granted Rhodes another chance ahead of WrestleMania 42.
How did Randy Orton earn his WrestleMania title shot?
Randy Orton won the Men’s Elimination Chamber match to secure his spot at WrestleMania.
Could Jacob Fatu interfere in the match?
Yes, interference from Jacob Fatu is possible after McIntyre previously cost him a spot in the Elimination Chamber match.
What could happen at WrestleMania 42 after this match?
Possible matches include Rhodes vs Orton, McIntyre vs Fatu, or even a Fatal 4-Way championship match.
