Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes opened Saturday Night's Main Event XLII, where he competed against NXT Champion Oba Femi. The bout was a back-and-forth affair, but The American Nightmare seemingly got hurt during the contest.Fans watching live pointed out that Cody Rhodes started bleeding from his ear during the match. The SmackDown star might have busted his eardrum, raising concerns about his condition. At the end of the show, after John Cena's match, Rhodes was seen with medical tape on his ear, which indicated that he had undergone a minor procedure.While the injury doesn't seem serious as of now, Cody Rhodes might walk away from the Stamford-based promotion for a while to recover ahead of the Road to WrestleMania 42. The American Nightmare will likely have a tight schedule during the build-up to The Showcase of the Immortals. Hence, he would aim to be completely fit for events like Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and 'Mania.That said, the scenario proposed above is speculative and based on observation. It will be interesting to see how the company books Rhodes heading into 2026.The Undisputed WWE Champion could punish a top SmackDown starThe bout between Oba Femi and Rhodes ended controversially as Drew McIntyre launched an attack on the 40-year-old, forcing the referee to call off the match with a KO.The Scotsman has been a massive roadblock in The American Nightmare's way for months. Now, the Undisputed WWE Champion could vow to take down McIntyre and finish their feud once and for all.McIntyre and Rhodes could face off in a stipulation bout at the Royal Rumble 2026 Premium Live Event. The show will take place in Saudi Arabia and will kick off the Road to WrestleMania 42.It will be interesting to see what plans Triple H and his creative team have in store for the WWE champion ahead of The Showcase of the Immortals.