Cody Rhodes’ Risky Fight Before the Royal Rumble Could Change Everything
Cody Rhodes’ road back to the Undisputed WWE Championship has hit a dangerous crossroads — and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
On the January 9, 2026 episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown, Rhodes went to war with Drew McIntyre in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match for the Undisputed WWE Championship. After splitting the first two falls, chaos erupted inside the steel cage. Jacob Fatu shocked everyone by interfering and viciously attacking Rhodes, handing McIntyre the victory and ripping the championship away from “The American Nightmare.”
That one moment has now snowballed into a situation that could completely derail Rhodes’ Royal Rumble dreams.
Jacob Fatu Stands Between Cody Rhodes and Momentum
The fallout was immediate. One week later, Rhodes and Fatu came face-to-face in an explosive confrontation that left WWE officials with no choice but to book a match between them at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
The timing is brutal. The Royal Rumble takes place just one week later, and Rhodes has already declared himself as an entrant. Wrestling back-to-back high-stakes matches shows confidence — but it also opens the door to disaster.
Rhodes wants revenge. Fatu believes Rhodes was responsible for an attack months earlier that took him out of action. Personal grudges, lost gold, and raw emotion are fueling this collision, making it far more than just another match on the schedule.
A Big Win Could Supercharge Cody’s Title Chase
If Rhodes defeats Fatu decisively, it could be exactly the spark he needs. Beating the man who cost him the Undisputed WWE Championship would restore momentum and confidence heading into the Royal Rumble.
For Rhodes, this is about more than pride. He thrives on adversity and has proven before that setbacks only push him harder. A dominant win would send a message to the locker room — and to McIntyre — that he’s still the top threat in WWE.
With renewed momentum, Rhodes could roll straight through the Royal Rumble and put McIntyre’s title reign in serious jeopardy.
But One Bad Night Could Ruin Everything
The danger is obvious. If Rhodes barely survives Fatu — or worse, loses — the damage could be devastating.
The Royal Rumble isn’t forgiving. Outlasting 29 other competitors requires peak conditioning and perfect timing. Entering the match battered and worn down, even at number 30, puts Rhodes at a massive disadvantage.
Rhodes has overcome heartbreak before, famously rebounding from his WrestleMania 39 loss to Roman Reigns. But this challenge is different. This time, the road back requires surviving Fatu and winning the most physically demanding match of the year.
Anything less than a clear win on Saturday could turn the Royal Rumble into a nightmare scenario.
The Stakes Have Never Been Higher for Cody Rhodes
Since returning to WWE in 2022, Rhodes has been the company’s most reliable main-event star. But even elite performers have limits.
With only seven days separating his match against Fatu and the Royal Rumble, Rhodes is walking a razor-thin line. If he fails at Saturday Night’s Main Event, his next title opportunity may not come until the Elimination Chamber on February 28 — and even that isn’t guaranteed.
If the Royal Rumble winner chooses McIntyre, Rhodes could be shut out of the championship picture entirely.
That’s what makes this match so dangerous. Beating Jacob Fatu isn’t just important — it may be absolutely necessary. One wrong step, one bad break, and Cody Rhodes’ quest to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship could be delayed far longer than anyone expects.
