WWE Scrapped Randy Orton Twist in Cody Rhodes vs Drew McIntyre Match

Cody Rhodes closed out WrestlePalooza with his hand raised high, but that clean victory over Drew McIntyre wasn’t always the planned finish.

According to BodySlam, both Rhodes and McIntyre pitched a different direction behind the scenes. The original idea would have seen Randy Orton accidentally cost Cody the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event. That version would’ve led to Cody chasing the title again, eventually reclaiming it from McIntyre—only for Orton to turn on him afterward.

Instead, WWE chose a more straightforward outcome. Rhodes retained his title without any outside interference or swerve. The match still delivered on intensity, with both men exchanging power moves, near falls, and stiff shots. Cody ultimately put McIntyre away with a Cody Cutter followed by Crossroads to end the night standing tall.

The title match closed the event at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, just after Stephanie McMahon was revealed as the first name entering the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame. With a packed crowd and a big-fight atmosphere, WWE went with a clean finish to cap off the show—leaving potential drama with Orton for another day.

Do you think WWE should’ve pulled the trigger on the Orton twist, or was keeping the ending clean the better call? Drop your thoughts in the comments.