On Mar. 6, during WWE SmackDown’s main event, Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre to win the WWE Championship after unexpected outside interference from Jacob Fatu. The bout—marked by broken tables, multiple referee bumps and both men using each other’s finishers—ended with Rhodes pinning McIntyre following a Super Cody Cutter and Cross Rhodes. Two referees were involved in the chaotic finish: Charles Robinson was incapacitated early and Dan Engler briefly entered to officiate before being taken out. With the victory Rhodes is now booked to defend the title at WrestleMania 42 next month in Las Vegas against Randy Orton.
Key Takeaways
- Match date and show: The championship change took place on the Mar. 6 episode of WWE SmackDown, in the program’s advertised main event.
- Winner and consequence: Cody Rhodes pinned Drew McIntyre to capture the WWE Championship and is set to defend the title at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas against Randy Orton.
- Interference: Jacob Fatu appeared ringside and removed a chair McIntyre intended to use, directly influencing the outcome.
- Referee situation: Charles Robinson was knocked out early after being pulled into the path of a Disaster Kick; Dan Engler entered to officiate but was later incapacitated.
- Finish sequence: Rhodes hit a Super Cody Cutter and Cross Rhodes for the pin after Fatu prevented McIntyre from finishing him with a chair.
- Match spot details: The contest featured broken tables, multiple referee bumps, and both competitors briefly executing the other’s finishers.
Background
Cody Rhodes’ pursuit of the WWE Championship has been a central storyline since he returned to WWE’s top ranks. Earlier encounters with Drew McIntyre left Rhodes frustrated: McIntyre was directly responsible for depriving Rhodes of victories in both the Royal Rumble and the Elimination Chamber, fueling a heated rivalry. That history set the stage for a high-stakes SmackDown main event designed to settle the score and shape WrestleMania’s headline picture.
Drew McIntyre entered the match as the defending WWE Champion, carrying the momentum and storyline advantage of having denied Rhodes recent opportunities. WWE’s creative direction built the match as a decisive moment before WrestleMania 42, where the promotion already advertised Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for the title. The sudden involvement of an outside figure—Jacob Fatu—altered that planned trajectory in a single segment.
Main Event
The match opened as a physical, back-and-forth encounter with both stars showcasing finishers and high-impact offense. At a pivotal moment, McIntyre pulled referee Charles Robinson into the path of his Disaster Kick, knocking the official down and creating the first ref bump. Rhodes capitalized, hitting Cross Rhodes shortly after—but with Robinson out, there was no immediate count.
Rhodes summoned Dan Engler to replace Robinson, but as Engler entered the ring McIntyre connected with a Claymore Kick on Rhodes. Despite the Claymore, Rhodes rose and refused to be finished, signaling the resilience that has defined his recent run. McIntyre then struck Engler with a headbutt after disputing a count, taking out the substitute referee and further deepening the chaos in the ring.
With a chair in hand and intent to finish Rhodes, McIntyre was interrupted when Jacob Fatu unexpectedly appeared and yanked the weapon away. Once the original official recovered, Rhodes quickly hit a Super Cody Cutter and then Cross Rhodes, covering McIntyre for the pin and the championship win. The finish left the ring area in disarray and the WrestleMania main event reshaped in one decisive sequence.
Analysis & Implications
From a booking perspective, the finish serves multiple functions: it returns Rhodes to the top of the card, injects unpredictability into the WrestleMania build, and positions Jacob Fatu as a potential new factor in WWE storylines. Using outside interference to change a title picture is a long-standing wrestling trope that can generate heat and storyline momentum if followed by coherent narrative development.
However, interference-driven title changes carry risks. Fans who prefer decisive, one-on-one resolutions may view this finish as unsatisfying, and the creative team will need to quickly craft motivations and follow-ups for Fatu’s involvement. If Fatu is aligned with Rhodes, WWE must explain that alliance in a way that enhances both characters rather than undercutting Rhodes’ championship legitimacy.
For Drew McIntyre, the loss complicates his position as a top-tier heel (or babyface, depending on creative direction). A clean rematch scenario would restore clarity, but repeated interference without narrative payoff can harm long-term audience investment. Conversely, the new dynamic could lead to a multi-person program or a feud specifically targeting Fatu, giving WWE multiple creative options heading into WrestleMania.
Comparison & Data
| Moment | Ring Action |
|---|---|
| Early | McIntyre pulls Charles Robinson into Disaster Kick path (ref bump) |
| Mid | Rhodes hits Cross Rhodes; no count due to referee down |
| Later | Dan Engler enters; McIntyre hits Claymore; Engler taken out by headbutt |
| Finish | Jacob Fatu removes chair; Rhodes hits Super Cody Cutter and Cross Rhodes for the pin |
The above table isolates the pivotal beats that produced the title change. Breaking the finish into discrete actions clarifies where the match shifted from competitive contest to narrative pivot, and highlights how referee bumps and outside interference directly affected the outcome.
Reactions & Quotes
This result dramatically alters the WrestleMania map and introduces a wild-card element in Jacob Fatu’s appearance.
Cain A. Knight / Cageside Seats
Commentary on the broadcast repeatedly framed the situation as “unbelievable,” underscoring the shock value of the interference.
SmackDown commentators (broadcast)
Unconfirmed
- Whether Jacob Fatu’s appearance signals a formal alliance with Cody Rhodes is not confirmed and has not been announced by WWE.
- It is not yet official if WWE plans to book a rematch between Rhodes and McIntyre prior to WrestleMania, or how the promotion will integrate Fatu into the ongoing title storyline.
Bottom Line
Cody Rhodes’ pinfall win on SmackDown rewrites the immediate WrestleMania headline: he will carry the WWE Championship into WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas with Randy Orton scheduled as his advertised opponent. The sudden involvement of Jacob Fatu turns a straightforward title match into a broader storyline question that WWE must answer in the coming weeks to maintain credibility and fan interest.
The success of this booking turn will depend on coherent follow-up storytelling. If WWE explains Fatu’s motives and builds meaningful stakes around the new dynamics, the angle can elevate the WrestleMania card; if not, it risks leaving fans frustrated by an interference-heavy finish. For now, the title change accomplishes its immediate goal—putting Rhodes back at the top—but the long-term payoff remains to be written.