The 2026 WWE Elimination Chamber concluded with a chaotic main event that saw Randy Orton come out victorious, though not without controversy involving Cody Rhodes and the Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.
During the closing moments of the Men’s Elimination Chamber match, McIntyre—who had earlier interfered to cost Jacob Fatu a qualifying spot—slipped into the structure and attacked Rhodes with the championship belt. While Orton initially helped Rhodes fend off the champion by delivering an RKO to McIntyre, the “Viper” immediately followed up with a second RKO to Rhodes to secure the pinfall and punch his ticket to WrestleMania 42.
Nick Aldis’ Post-Show Announcement
Following the event, the tensions between SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis and Drew McIntyre reached a breaking point during the post-show. Aldis, visibly upset over McIntyre’s constant interference and “self-sabotage,” confronted the champion in a heated segment that nearly turned physical.
As a direct consequence of McIntyre’s actions, Aldis made an announcement for the upcoming episode of Friday Night SmackDown:
- The Match: Drew McIntyre will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes this Friday night.
- The Fallout: McIntyre was upset by the decision, leading to a pull-apart brawl with security as he attempted to get to the General Manager.
The Road to WrestleMania 42
With Randy Orton now confirmed as a challenger for the title in Las Vegas, the landscape of the WrestleMania main event remains in flux. Depending on the outcome of this Friday’s title defense, Orton will face either the “Scottish Psychopath” or the “American Nightmare” on April 19.
.@DMcIntyreWWE vs @CodyRhodes THIS FRIDAY for the Undisputed WWE Championship! đź’Ż@RealNickAldis makes it OFFICIAL! pic.twitter.com/wX9Xne7Sm4
— WWE (@WWE) March 1, 2026
