Sometimes in wrestling, what happens in the ring isn’t just about the wrestlers it’s about the story WWE wants to tell. At Wrestlepalooza, Drew McIntyre came close to finally toppling Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship, but the finish fans saw wasn’t the one originally pitched.
The Planned Twist That Never Happened
Behind the scenes, both Drew and Cody reportedly agreed on a shocking finish: Randy Orton interfering to cost Rhodes his title. That outcome would’ve crowned McIntyre as champion while planting seeds for a Cody-Orton feud. Imagine the shockwave that would’ve sent through the WWE Universe!
Instead, WWE pulled the plug. They stuck with Cody Rhodes retaining the belt clean, keeping “The American Nightmare” on top.
| Proposed Finish | What Actually Happened |
|---|---|
| Orton interferes, Drew wins title | Cody survives and pins McIntyre |
| Sets up Cody vs. Orton feud | Cody stays champion heading into Crown Jewel |
| McIntyre crowned champ | Drew left frustrated once again |
How the Match Ended
The bout itself was physical and gritty, just like you’d expect from these two. McIntyre nearly sealed the deal with his trademark offense, but things unraveled fast. A referee distraction gave Rhodes a moment to recover. McIntyre crashed into the announce table, and Cody capitalized with a decisive pinfall to retain his championship.
Fans cheered the result, but you could feel the lingering “what if” in the air.
Why WWE Said No
So why deny McIntyre another big moment? Reports suggest WWE wanted to keep Cody strong heading into Crown Jewel, where he’s set to clash with World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. From a business perspective, it makes sense Cody vs. Rollins is a proven money-maker. But for Drew fans, it feels like déjà vu: the Scottish Warrior once again inches away from glory, only to have the rug pulled out.
The Road Ahead
Cody now shifts focus to his blockbuster match with Seth Rollins, while McIntyre is left in limbo. Will WWE finally pull the trigger on his long-awaited redemption story? Or will he continue being the nearly man of the main event scene?
Conclusion
Wrestlepalooza could’ve been Drew McIntyre’s crowning moment, but WWE chose a safer path by keeping the title on Cody Rhodes. The fallout sets the stage for Cody vs. Rollins, but also leaves fans questioning when or if McIntyre will finally get his big championship victory.