Tag: undisputed wwe championship

Cody Rhodes addresses dealing with ‘outside forces’ ahead of WrestleMania 42

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Cody Rhodes is no stranger to outsiders getting involved in his WrestleMania feuds. The past two years have been evident with The Rock and Travis Scott’s interference. 

Rhodes discussed the external factors involved in his WrestleMania feud this year on The Rich Eisen Show. He remarked how being a fan of his during the PLE season is challenging due to the frequent external influences affecting his matches. 

“You can look at this year and say ‘hey, here’s Pat McAfee’, you could look at the year before and say ‘here’s Travis Scott’, you can look at the year before and say ‘here’s The Rock.’”

“If you’re a Cody Rhodes fan during WrestleMania season, it’s a choice. We deal with outside forces, we deal with ‘hey, they want to be part’, we’re about it, and I can say this, it’s a spot I always wanted. If you’re gonna be in the big moments you have to be ready for the big jobs.”

“Pat being part of ESPN and WWE WrestleMania is on ESPN for the first time ever, it’s actually a natural fit. Does it fit in a 20 year wrestler-wrestler student-teacher mentor, all that, does it fit in there? No, but Pat sure thinks it does, and now Pat has the title, so we can tell that story another time. That story’s also already been told, lets figure out how this unfolds.”

“Listen, Pat McAfee, Randy Orton, that’s one thing, but we’re getting to this point now where you go through so much as a wrestler, I mentioned the previous  WrestleManias, maybe it’s time for me to change. That’s a new layer of paint for Randy Orton, he’s associated with Pat, he doesn’t need that by any means, but that’s what he’s doing. Maybe I change? Maybe you walk that other side.”

“I’ve been saying for so long I don’t think I can do heel stuff. After a while it feels like it’s almost expected that I’m gonna lose it at some point, he’s gonna snap, and how does that look?”

McAfee was revealed to be Randy Orton’s mystery caller on the April 3 edition of SmackDown. He joined Orton in attacking and verbally provoking the Undisputed WWE Champion. On last week’s show, McAfee walked away with the WWE title after a confrontation with Rhodes, which culminated in Orton ambushing his WrestleMania opponent. Jelly Roll sided with Rhodes in the feud but ended up getting attacked by Orton too. 

Orton and Rhodes will headline Night One of WrestleMania 42 this weekend for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

WWE seemingly confirms WrestleMania 42 main events

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

WrestleMania 42 is about a month away — and it looks like we now know the main events for each night.

On WWE’s official ticketing website, it’s indicated that Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton’s WWE Championship match will be taking place on night one of WrestleMania 42 on Saturday, April 18. A graphic for that match is used for night one of Mania on the WWE.com schedule. Subsequently, CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship is the graphic displayed for night two on Sunday, April 19.

These would be the expected main events for both nights of WrestleMania, though WWE has not officially announced the match order yet.

Punk vs. Reigns was confirmed for WrestleMania shortly after Reigns’ Royal Rumble victory. During the build, issues between the two have been heightened with Punk bringing up Reigns’ late father Sika Anoa’i. That then led to a confrontation between Punk and The Usos taking place on Raw last week.

The Rhodes vs. Orton match was confirmed when Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre on the March 6 episode of SmackDown to regain the WWE Championship. Orton had already earned a WrestleMania title shot through his win at Elimination Chamber — and he turned heel last Friday by bloodying Rhodes ahead of Mania.

WrestleMania 42 is being held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. On the WrestleMania page of WWE’s website, the graphics for Punk vs. Reigns and Jade Cargill vs. Rhea Ripley both have a blue color scheme. The Rhodes vs. Orton and Stepanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan graphics have an orange color scheme. It’s not known if that means those matches will be taking place on the same night.

There are five matches officially announced as of now:

WWE WrestleMania 42 card — 

  • World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk defends against Roman Reigns
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against Randy Orton 
  • WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill defends against Rhea Ripley 
  • Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer defends against Liv Morgan 
  • Brock Lesnar open challenge (opponent TBA)

WWE Hall of Famer voices support for Drew McIntyre after title loss

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has offered some words of encouragement for Drew McIntyre after his recent title loss.

Speaking on his Hall of Fame Podcast, Booker T sympathized with McIntyre after suddenly dropping the WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes on the road to WrestleMania. Booker T said McIntyre has always been one of his favorites — and he believes McIntyre was a hell of a champion for WWE.

“Drew McIntyre was always in my fav five. Always. I think he had a residency in my fav five. I definitely feel for him right now,” Booker T said. “Just because I feel like no matter what role you give Drew McIntyre, he’s gonna take it and he’s gonna knock it out of the park, and I thought he was a hell of a champion.

“It’s gotta be tough. I wouldn’t wanna be in that position. No one does. But that’s the business, that’s just part of the business. Play the cards that you’re dealt.”

Booker T is also of the belief that the situation will improve for McIntyre despite the unfortunate timing of the incident.

“I’m sure the time is gonna come back around for Drew McIntyre. If not, I’m not gonna worry about Drew McIntyre or anything like that, because he can do whatever he wants in this business,” Booker T said.

“I’m sure it’s disappointing to him to have to drop that strap so close to WrestleMania, because that’s every wrestler’s ultimate dream, I would imagine – walking out (at) WrestleMania as champion, or walking into WrestleMania the challenger, and you win the championship. I’m sure he’s feeling it.”

Rhodes dethroned McIntyre on the March 6 episode of SmackDown, immediately altering the landscape for WrestleMania 42. Rhodes will now defend the WWE Championship against a longtime ally, Randy Orton, who is looking to win his 15th World title.

As for McIntyre, his WrestleMania plans have yet to be announced, though a match against Jacob Fatu would make sense given their ongoing feud.

CM Punk wrestling John Cena for WWE Championship in Saudi Arabia

Posted on by Ethan Renner

One of the greatest rivalries in WWE history will be renewed at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia on June 28.

As announced on Monday’s WWE Raw, CM Punk will challenge John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, June 28. The bout was set up with an in-ring promo between the two:

It will be the first time that Punk has wrestled in Saudi Arabia after being an outspoken critic of WWE’s relationship with the Saudi government before he returned to the company in 2023, including a 2020 social media exchange with The Miz where he referenced “blood money” in reference to the WWE-Saudi relationship. Miz and Punk have since patched up their differences.

The Punk vs. Cena match will be the first singles match between the two since a February 2013 number one contender’s bout on Raw in the build to WrestleMania 29, memorable for Punk using a piledriver.

Night of Champions will also feature the finals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, with the winners earning title shots at SummerSlam.

WWE Night of Champions, Saturday, June 28 —

  • Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena defends against CM Punk
  • King of the Ring tournament finals
  • Queen of the Ring tournament finals

Solo Sikoa wants another shot at Undisputed WWE Championship

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Despite his loss at SummerSlam, Solo Sikoa may be sticking around the Undisputed WWE Championship picture.

A promo aired during Friday’s SmackDown where Sikoa declared that — no matter who leaves Bash in Berlin with the title — he’s coming after the Undisputed WWE Championship. Cody Rhodes is defending the belt against Kevin Owens at Saturday’s PLE.

“Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens — I don’t give a damn which one of you wins,” Sikoa said. “Because whoever is the champion after tomorrow, the Tribal Chief is coming for you.”

The main event of SummerSlam on August 3 was Rhodes retaining his title against Sikoa. Roman Reigns returned during the match, laying out Sikoa with a Superman punch and spear. It was Reigns’ first appearance since dropping the Undisputed WWE Championship to Rhodes at WrestleMania.

While Reigns was off TV, Sikoa made himself the new Tribal Chief and reshaped The Bloodline with the additions of Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu. There was an angle on SmackDown two weeks ago where Sikoa’s Bloodline laid waste to Reigns and powerbombed him through the announce table.

Cody Rhodes to defend WWE title against Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Cody Rhodes agreed to a title defense against Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam in a chaotic closing sequence on Friday’s SmackDown.

Jacob Fatu of Sikoa’s Bloodline faction attacked Tag Team Champions Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano following their title defense over A-Town Down Under in the SmackDown main event, setting the stage for a promo from Sikoa.

As Sikoa spoke surrounded by Fatu, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa, Rhodes entered and announced that he wanted to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sikoa at SummerSlam, pending official approval from GM Nick Aldis.

Rhodes then offered not to wait until SummerSlam, and squared up to The Bloodline. Rhodes quickly fell victim to a four-on-one attack. Randy Orton ran in for the save, but was put through the announce table by The Bloodline.

The Bloodline also tied Rhodes up in the ropes and forced him to watch as his ally Orton was put through the table. Video of the show-closing angle is embedded below.