Cody Rhodes becomes new Undisputed WWE Champion on SmackDown; will face Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42

The March 6 episode of Friday Night SmackDown concluded with a high-stakes main event match between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE title. The match was made after McIntyre interfered in the Men's Elimination Chamber last Saturday to cost Rhodes his chance to head to WrestleMania 42. However, as the dust settled on this highly anticipated showdown, it was The American Nightmare who emerged victorious and will now head to The Show of Shows to battle the chamber match winner, Randy Orton.

Cody Rhodes battled Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed title on WWE SmackDown

Cody Rhodes walked into the match knowing that it was his last chance to be a part of a major title showdown at WrestleMania 42. At the same time, Drew McIntyre was laser-focused on putting Rhodes in his rearview for good. As the match started, McIntyre attempted to leave the match, but Rhodes caught up to him, and he began to lay punches. The duo returned to the ring to begin the bout in full force. McIntyre was visibly enraged and ready to inflict major damage in The American Nightmare.

He had the upper hand on Rhodes for a brief while. He began to attack him on the outside of the ring, and Rhodes found it difficult to escape his wrath, as McIntyre inflicted damage on his back. The action returned to the ring, and The Scottish Warrior continued to dominate Rhodes. However, he regained control with his quickness and delivered a Cody Cutter. Rhodes tried to deliver a Cross Rhodes but McIntyre rolled out of the ring and began to overpower him again. After that, the match became a back-and-forth contest with both superstars going up against each other.



As the match approached its end, McIntyre planted Rhodes with a Powerbomb through a table outside the ring and then hit a Cross Rhodes on Cody, but he kicked out of the pin. Cody then hit a Claymore Kick, but Drew survived the pinfall. After that, the referee was accidentally taken out. The bout finally came to an end when Jacob Fatu came and stopped McIntyre from using the chair. This allowed Rhodes to hit a combination of the Cody Cutter and Cross Rhodes to win the Undisputed WWE title.

This victory has setup the epic clash between him and his former mentor, Randy Orton, which will take place in the main event of WrestleMania 41 Night 1. The duo have a storied past as Rhodes came up in the business under Orton's wing, so it will be an epic clash between the former master and his student on The Grandest Stage of Them All. While Rhodes had an unclear path to WrestleMania 42 after the Elimination Chamber, his win over McIntyre has now changed everything on the road to The Show of Shows.

Moreover, things have become even more interesting after the March 13 episode of SmackDown when Orton turned heel and brutally attacked Rhodes after their contract segment.

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