Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, and Randy Orton Set for Wrestlepalooza Showdown

The WWE landscape is shifting as Cody Rhodes prepares to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre at Wrestlepalooza on September 20th. This follows a recent series of events that saw McIntyre defeat Randy Orton on SmackDown on September 12, 2025, and Rhodes subsequently attack McIntyre as seen on SmackDown.

McIntyre’s Victory and Rhodes’ Return

On the September 12th episode of SmackDown, Drew McIntyre secured a victory over Randy Orton in a highly anticipated grudge match. This contest stemmed from McIntyre previously injuring Rhodes on the August 8th episode of SmackDown, sidelining the champion according to Cageside Seats. The match was marked by near falls, with both Orton and McIntyre hitting their respective finishers, but ultimately McIntyre prevailed with a Claymore.

Following the match, McIntyre attempted to inflict further damage on Orton, mirroring his attack on Rhodes. However, Rhodes made a dramatic return, intervening to save Orton and initiating a confrontation with McIntyre as reported by Wrestleview. Rhodes then announced his challenge to McIntyre for a championship match at Wrestlepalooza.

Orton’s Path to a Championship Opportunity

Randy Orton’s recent victory at the Elimination Chamber, aided by interference from Drew McIntyre, has positioned him as a potential challenger for the Undisputed WWE Championship as detailed on WWE.com. This unexpected win has added a new dynamic to the championship picture, suggesting WWE is aiming for a Cody Rhodes versus Randy Orton match in the future.

Future Possibilities for McIntyre

While McIntyre is currently set to face Rhodes at Wrestlepalooza, the long-term direction for his career remains uncertain. Potential storylines include a triple threat match involving Orton, a pairing with Jacob Fatu, or a feud with Nick Aldis, the SmackDown General Manager as noted by Cageside Seats.