Newest WWE Rumors on Why Cody Rhodes Lost Title to Drew McIntyre amid WrestleMania, Randy Orton Buzz

Cody Rhodes reportedly lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre in January so he could be available to participate in the men's Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches, per Fightful Select (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News).

"We're also told that one of the reasons the title was taken off of Cody Rhodes, was so that he would be featured in the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches, adding to the draw of those shows," the Fightful Select report read.

Rhodes fell to McIntyre on the Jan. 9 edition of SmackDown in a Three Stages of Hell match after interference from Jacob Fatu.

The rivalry has only grown since, with McIntyre eliminating Rhodes in the Royal Rumble and causing him to lose in the Elimination Chamber even though he didn't directly participate in either event.

After Elimination Chamber, SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis ordered McIntyre to defend his belt against Rhodes due to the champion's interference.

The winner will be set to face Randy Orton, the Elimination Chamber victor, at WrestleMania 42 in April.

The expectation is that Rhodes will win Friday and face Orton, per PWInsider Elite (h/t Wrestle Features).

Regardless of Friday's winner, Orton is striving to become a 15-time world champion, which would put him third alone on the victory list behind John Cena (17) and Ric Flair (16). Orton is currently tied with Triple H at 14 apiece.