On this week’s WWE SmackDown in London, there was a special tension in the air, as this is the first SmackDown since Drew McIntyre became Undisputed WWE Champion. Of course, McIntyre gloated at the beginning of the night. On the other side of the coin, the former champion Cody Rhodes would speak to the WWE Universe for the first time since losing the title, and had news about WWE Royal Rumble 2026.
Rhodes said that he got too comfortable as the QB1 of WWE, saying it became “episodic” and “predictable,” and he didn’t foresee himself losing the championship. Now that he’s no longer champion, and McIntyre made it clear that there will be no rematch clauses invoked, Rhodes wanted to do this the old-fashioned way. Cody Rhodes has declared himself the first official entrant into the 2026 Men’s WWE Royal Rumble Match.
Rhodes spoke of legends, such as Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, saying he belongs in a class with them, being the only stars who won the Royal Rumble match back-to-back. In the 2026 edition of the Rumble, Cody Rhodes vows to become only the 2nd person, after Stone Cold, to become a three-time winner, effectively putting everyone on notice, especially Jacob Fatu, with Rhodes saying he has a “receipt” coming his way, and he better be ready.
The “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes is fired up, and he’s ready to win the Royal Rumble, and maybe, just maybe, headline his third straight WrestleMania!
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