Drew Battles Cody for WWE Title; Ripley Meets Cargill, Hayes’ Open Challenge

Jordan Hartwell

Published: March 7, 2026 1:36 AM ET

WWE SmackDown on March 6, 2026, took place at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The event had an attendance of 8,264, out of a potential 20,500 for concerts. It showcased several key matches, including the WWE Title match between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes, alongside a U.S. Title open challenge featuring Carmelo Hayes.

Drew Battles Cody for WWE Title

The main event highlighted Drew McIntyre defending his WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes. Following intense clashes throughout the match, Cody secured victory after executing a Super Cutter and a Crossroads, thus capturing the WWE Title. This victory sets the stage for a WrestleMania clash against Randy Orton, who earned his shot at the title earlier in the event.

Match Highlights

Cody Rhodes entered the match after a dramatic buildup, emphasizing the importance of the title shot.
Drew McIntyre showcased his strength and strategy, utilizing the environment to his advantage.
The officiating became a pivotal point with an inadvertent referee bump affecting the match outcome.
Cody’s perseverance led him to capitalize on Drew’s mistakes, resulting in his championship win.

Ripley Meets Cargill

The women’s division also stood out with Rhea Ripley confronting Jade Cargill. Their exchange hyped up tensions leading to a potential WrestleMania match, as Cargill expressed her discontent with Ripley’s accomplishments. Ripley countered Cargill’s bravado, setting the stage for an intense showdown.

Key Moments from the Segment

Cargill acknowledged Ripley’s hard work but claimed to be more powerful.
Ripley defended her strength, emphasizing that her training supports her fighting capabilities instead of just aesthetics.
Both women displayed confidence as they prepared for their impending match.

Carmelo Hayes’ Open Challenge

Carmelo Hayes issued an open challenge for the U.S. Title against Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. Although the match had its awkward moments, Hayes ultimately capitalized on an opportunity, preserving his title and showcasing sportsmanship by acknowledging Wagner after the bout.

Match Overview

The match began with high expectations but faced execution challenges.
Despite missteps, both athletes displayed moments of strength and agility.
Hayes emerged victorious, reinforcing his position within the roster.

Upcoming Events and Future Matches

As WWE approaches WrestleMania, anticipation builds for further confrontations. Notable developments include Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton and Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill, promising thrilling contests as the road to WrestleMania intensifies.

This episode of SmackDown set the tone for upcoming storylines, reinforcing the stakes involved in every match and the passion from athletes competing for recognition and titles.