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Cody Rhodes Loses Championship: WWE's Future Shifts with McIntyre

1/12/2026

37 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Rhodes Loses Championship

Cody Rhodes (WWE Superstar) lost the Undisputed Championship to Drew McIntyre (WWE Superstar) in a Three Stages of Hell match on SmackDown, with interference from Jacob Fatu (wrestler).
McIntyre's win signals a shift in WWE's direction ahead of WrestleMania 42.
Rhodes, a fan favorite since 2022, faces questions about his future and may shift to a more aggressive persona, while a Royal Rumble appearance and rematch with McIntyre are possible.

Summary

Knight's Title Aspirations

LA Knight (WWE wrestler) is gaining popularity among WWE fans who want him to win a world title.
However, a world title win before WrestleMania 42 seems unlikely.
A potential Intercontinental Championship match against Dominik Mysterio (WWE Superstar) is being suggested.
Mysterio's momentum makes the matchup appealing, promising an entertaining build toward a major event.

History

Historical Context

In 2002, WWE introduced a brand extension, creating separate rosters for Raw and SmackDown, which allowed stars like Brock Lesnar to thrive. Lesnar won the WWE Championship that year, marking a significant shift in WWE's competitive landscape. The evolution continued with Cody Rhodes' recent title loss to Drew McIntyre, highlighting the ongoing significance of WrestleMania events in shaping championship narratives.

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Rhodes Loses Championship

Cody Rhodes (WWE Superstar) lost the Undisputed Championship to Drew McIntyre (WWE Superstar) in a Three Stages of Hell match on SmackDown, with interference from Jacob Fatu (wrestler).
McIntyre's win signals a shift in WWE's direction ahead of WrestleMania 42.
Rhodes, a fan favorite since 2022, faces questions about his future and may shift to a more aggressive persona, while a Royal Rumble appearance and rematch with McIntyre are possible.

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