All articles tagged with #wwe championship
A new report says WWE dramatically reshuffled plans, moving Cody Rhodes versus Gunther into the next WWE Championship feud after Gunther attacked Rhodes on SmackDown, redirecting Gunther from a previously planned program with Roman Reigns and signaling a future title bout between Rhodes and Gunther.
Cody Rhodes invaded Pat McAfee's studio with a baseball bat to reclaim the WWE Championship, ensuring he'll head into WrestleMania 42 night one in Las Vegas with the belt, though whether he retains at Mania remains uncertain.
Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton in the main event to win back the WWE Championship on SmackDown and earned a WrestleMania title rematch in Las Vegas; the show also advanced Sami Zayn’s selfish-ambition storyline, teased a Ripley–Cargill showdown, and highlighted Carmelo Hayes’ US title defense along with a new Tag Team Turmoil lineup, finishing with a solid B grade.
Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre on SmackDown to win the WWE Championship for the third time, in a chaotic finish involving a second referee and interference by Jacob Fatu, then pinned McIntyre with a crossroads to secure the title and set up a WrestleMania 42 match against Randy Orton. A contract signing for WrestleMania 42 was also announced for next week’s SmackDown.
Cody Rhodes captured the WWE Championship on SmackDown after a chaotic finish involving Jacob Fatu, defeating Drew McIntyre and setting up a WrestleMania 42 title defense against Randy Orton in Las Vegas.
Rumors suggest WrestleMania 42's WWE Championship match will be Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton, a change from the previously discussed Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes or a multi-person bout. The plan, backed by Cody's camp and PWInsider, reflects ongoing creative flux during the build to WrestleMania.
At WWE's Elimination Chamber, Seth Rollins made a surprise return to the ring, while Randy Orton outlasted competitors to earn a WWE Championship title match, setting up a high-profile showdown for the title.
After Elimination Chamber, Nick Aldis announced on SmackDown that Drew McIntyre will defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes this Friday; Rhodes earned the title shot by winning the Chamber, while Randy Orton earned a Mania title opportunity, setting up further storyline angles (including possible Logan Paul/Paul Heyman involvement).
SmackDown GM Nick Aldis announced that Drew McIntyre will defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes this Friday on SmackDown, setting up a marquee title clash ahead of WrestleMania following the Elimination Chamber event.
Fightful Select reports that Drew McIntyre’s February 6 SmackDown promo critiquing CM Punk and Roman Reigns was written by Cristian Scovell, following earlier attacks by Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu; the segment framed McIntyre as SmackDown’s backbone and the defending Undisputed WWE Champion ahead of WrestleMania season.
Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell on SmackDown, with interference from Jacob Fatu, and is expected to carry the WWE Championship into WrestleMania, with Rhodes as the leading challenger; Sami Zayn has been discussed as a potential world-title contender and is part of a four-way at SNME to decide who faces McIntyre at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, with Zayn as a betting favorite.
On SmackDown, Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell to win the WWE Championship, with the final steel cage stage decided after Jacob Fatu attacked both men. Killer Kross reacted to the title win on Twitter by posting a photo of McIntyre with the belt and the caption “You love to see it.” Kross, a former rival who had returned to WWE, left the company in August 2025 after prior feuds with McIntyre.
CM Punk won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Jey Uso at Saturday Night’s Main Event, prompting Uso to post a fiery Instagram story expressing his heartbreak and frustration, indicating a brewing rivalry.
WWE's Saturday Night's Main Event featured championship matches, with CM Punk winning the vacant World Heavyweight Championship and Jade Cargill capturing her first WWE Women's Championship, amidst other notable results and story developments.
Cody Rhodes was involved in a serious incident at the end of SmackDown where Drew McIntyre attacked him with the WWE Championship belt, leading to concerns about Rhodes's condition and hinting at a future title defense at Clash in Paris.