The American Nightmare is officially back at the top of the mountain, but the reception from the digital audience has been surprisingly polarized. Cody Rhodes became the Undisputed WWE Champion for the third time in the main event of the March 6 episode of Friday Night SmackDown. He defeated Drew McIntyre in a physical encounter to reclaim the gold he lost earlier this year.
While the title change was a major moment for the Portland crowd, it has faced a significant amount of negativity online. As of today, the official YouTube video of the championship win has received approximately 196,000 dislikes compared to just 38,000 likes. Many fans appear frustrated by the sudden pivot away from the McIntyre reign heading into the spring stadium show.
However, this digital negativity has reportedly not extended to the locker room. According to a recent WrestleVotes Live Q&A, the atmosphere backstage remains very positive regarding the change. The performers and staff are said to be “not displeased” with Rhodes being back in the top position, citing his leadership and work ethic over the last several years.
“No real backlash that we’ve heard. People backstage aren’t displeased that Cody Rhodes is back on top, the guy who’s led the company for the last couple of years,” WrestleVotes shared during the broadcast. The roster views him as a reliable “workhorse” who is well-suited to carry the brand into a massive WrestleMania season.
The original plan for the Las Vegas event would have seen Rhodes entering as the challenger in a violent Hell in a Cell match against Drew McIntyre. However, management chose to pivot toward a legendary confrontation between Rhodes and his former mentor, Randy Orton. The decision was reportedly influenced by the historical significance of Orton’s quest to break John Cena’s championship record.
As the road to WrestleMania 42 in the Nevada desert reaches its final stages, Rhodes is focused on his upcoming contract signing with “The Apex Predator” this Friday in Phoenix. The two-night event at Allegiant Stadium is scheduled for April 18 and 19, 2026. Despite the online debate, the company is confident that the deep-rooted story between the two stars will deliver a main event that lives up to the grandest stage of them all.
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