WWE Smackdown: McIntyre vs. Rhodes, Cargill vs. Ripley, Hayes’s Title Challenge
WWE Smackdown delivered a captivating evening on March 6, 2026, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The show featured high-stakes matches, significant rivalries, and exciting title challenges, culminating in Cody Rhodes’ victory over Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship.
Key Highlights from WWE Smackdown
Main Event Recap: Rhodes vs. McIntyre
The show climaxed with a thrilling WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre. After a hard-fought battle lasting 20 minutes and 40 seconds, Cody executed a stunning CrossRhodes to claim the title. This victory set him up for a match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42.
Carmelo Hayes Retains U.S. Championship
In another notable match, Carmelo Hayes defended his U.S. Championship against Hijo Del Dr. Wagner Jr. Hayes secured his title retention with a pin following the “Nothing But Net” maneuver, concluding the match in just over 10 minutes.
Women’s Division Spotlight
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley, engaged in a fiery exchange. Cargill challenged Ripley’s strength while asserting her own superiority. Their rivalry is expected to escalate leading to WrestleMania.
Tag Team Turmoil Overview
During the Tag Team Turmoil match, Damian Priest and R-Truth triumphed over “Los Garza,” earning a title shot in the process. The match highlighted the often chaotic nature of tag team competitions and showcased the strategic gameplay necessary for success.
Statistics and Venue Details
- Venue Capacity: 20,500
- Tickets Distributed: 8,264
- Attendance Setup: 8,751
- Match Duration: Rhodes vs. McIntyre – 20 minutes and 40 seconds
- Hayes vs. Wagner Jr. – 10 minutes and 20 seconds
Future Matches and Storylines
Looking ahead, next week’s Smackdown will feature a non-title match between Jade Cargill and Michin. Additionally, the contract signing for the WWE Championship match will occur, heightening anticipation for the WrestleMania event.
This episode of WWE Smackdown effectively set the stage for key matchups leading into WrestleMania 42, keeping fans excited and engaged with dramatic confrontations and title implications.
