Cody Rhodes has continued his story in a major way, fighting his way to the top of WWE and securing his spot. The former AEW EVP is having a rocky start to his second reign as Undisputed WWE Champion, but now sources are providing updates, rumors, and speculation on what’s next, including a big clash that looks to be taking place for the 11th time.
The American Nightmare is 33 days into his second reign as Undisputed WWE Champion, but his challengers will have to wait. Just days after dethroning John Cena in the main event of the inaugural two-night SummerSlam, Rhodes teamed with Cena on SmackDown for a DQ win over Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre. The finish came when The Maverick hit Cena with a low blow to force the disqualification, which led to Rhodes being decimated at ringside with a Claymore into the side of the announce table.
Rhodes has a good chance of going at least 50 days before making his first title defense on this reign, according to all signs from within WWE right now. WWE’s Creative Writing Team booked the ringside attack by McIntyre to temporarily write Rhodes out of the storylines for Street Fighter filming, which began in Australia just 10 days after the SmackDown angle. The movie is scheduled to be released October 16, 2026, featuring Cody as Guile, Roman Reigns as Akuma, and NJPW’s Hirooki Goto as E. Honda.
Cody and wife Brandi Rhodes recently welcomed their second child. The Rhodes Family has made headlines for several happenings this month, including a significant surgery for Dustin Rhodes, but the hot topic of discussion is Cody’s status as champion, and his first defense.
WWE Wrestlepalooza Plans For Cody Rhodes Up In The Air
Roman Reigns was also written out of the storylines for Street Fighter filming, and sources noted then that Rhodes didn’t need an angle of his own as his part in the movie is smaller, and he’s not needed on-set as much. That may have changed, and while talk from within WWE indicates Cody will likely miss WWE’s inaugural Wrestlepalooza PLE, a new report from The Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that Rhodes’ match with Drew McIntyre has not been decided on.
McIntyre vs. Rhodes with the Undisputed WWE Championship was originally scheduled for Wrestlepalooza on September 20 in Indianapolis. However, The Observer reports that this match is still up in the air for this month, but the Wrestlepalooza match could end up being McIntyre vs. Randy Orton.
The idea behind shift in the storyline is that McIntyre vs. Orton XI must happen before McIntyre vs. Rhodes II. Rhodes was originally advertised for the September 20 PLE, and the title defense against The Scottish Psychopath was then set for Wrestlepalooza after initially being planned for weeks prior. The Apex Predator has now worked multiple feuds with Cody and other heels in the last year.
It’s not clear why the changes were made to Cody Rhodes’ creative direction, past Street Fighter filming. The Observer adds that the second generation Superstar was originally expected to be back in time for Wrestlepalooza, but his status was still unconfirmed as of last word from within WWE.