Most fans, pundits, and observers had Cody Rhodes pencilled in as the winner of tonight’s Men’s Elimination Chamber match at the premium live event of the same name. That would have guaranteed him a main event match at WrestleMania 42 in six weeks, and put one of the company’s biggest stars against his nemesis, reigning WWE champ Drew McIntyre, on a show currently lacking in buzz.
But likely in an effort to generate some excitement in Feb. 28’s main event with an unexpected result, Randy Orton RKO-ed
Rhodes to win after Cody dealt with interference from the WWE champ. And when the show ended, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis was incensed that McIntyre couldn’t mind his own business in Chicago…
Aldis then marches to the Post Show desk and announced that, as punishment for his actions, McIntyre will have to defend against Rhodes THIS FRIDAY on SmackDown. It almost seemed as if the Brit and the Scot might get physical behind Big E, Peter Rosenberg, and Joe Tessitore…
Orton’s Chamber win means Rhodes entering ‘Mania as champ would give us the long-anticipated showdown between 2/3 of Randy’s old Legacy group. While the scene played out on screen, those of us hanging out in the Cageside offices were wondering if Aldis’ aggressive posturing could mean the former NWA and TNA World champion is ready to dust off his boots for a match on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
We’ll see how they play it Friday on SmackDown, and what we hear before then. In the meantime, what do you think of this possibly new-look WrestleMania WWE title scene?
