Drew McIntyre captured the Undisputed WWE Championship last week on SmackDown in an unexpected finish, aided by Jacob Fatu’s interference. This surprising victory for McIntyre occurred months ahead of WrestleMania 42, signaling that WWE executive Triple H may have significant plans for the title landscape leading into the event.
With the Drew McIntyre WWE title now in his hands well before Mania, speculation is mounting about how Triple H might orchestrate the champion’s journey toward losing the belt. Here are three potential scenarios that could see McIntyre dethroned before or at WrestleMania 42.
Potential Injury Forces McIntyre to Vacate Title Before WrestleMania
One way to strip Drew McIntyre of the Undisputed WWE Championship could be through a storyline injury following another brutal attack by Jacob Fatu. The “Samoan Werewolf” has hinted at an undisclosed backstage assault from two months ago on SmackDown, and suspicion is pointing toward McIntyre.
If Jacob Fatu reveals himself as the assailant in an upcoming SmackDown episode, a vicious attack could write McIntyre off television with a kayfabe injury. This would compel McIntyre to relinquish the WWE title just before WrestleMania.
As a result, the championship might be declared vacant, creating an opportunity for the Royal Rumble 2026 winner—widely expected to be Roman Reigns—to face Cody Rhodes for the world title at WrestleMania 42. Meanwhile, McIntyre could stay out of action until returning to challenge Jacob Fatu in a marquee match on WWE’s biggest stage.
Jacob Fatu Aligns with Roman Reigns to Help Him Claim the Title
Another storyline option is for McIntyre to hold the championship until WrestleMania 42, where he could lose it to Roman Reigns, assuming Reigns wins the Royal Rumble 2026. In this angle, Jacob Fatu could intervene on Reigns’ behalf during their title clash, providing a crucial assist.
This booking would accomplish multiple objectives: it would fuel a heated rivalry between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu, leading to several high-profile pay-per-view matches culminating in a monumental bout at SummerSlam 2026.
Additionally, Fatu’s partnership with Roman Reigns would reignite the original Bloodline faction. This reunion could bring together new members, such as debuting Zilla Fatu and Jacob’s brother Journey Fatu, reinforcing the stable’s dominance within WWE. The Bloodline narrative, which was a major success previously, has the potential to become a highlight of this year’s WrestleMania if Triple H pursues this route.
Triple Threat Main Event at WrestleMania Featuring McIntyre, Reigns, and Rhodes
If Triple H wants the championship to change hands during WrestleMania, a likely scenario involves a triple threat match between Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, and Roman Reigns as the event’s main attraction. Roman Reigns would earn a spot in this showdown by most likely winning the Royal Rumble 2026.
Cody Rhodes is already positioned for a rematch against McIntyre after the Scottish Warrior’s recent title victory on SmackDown, where Rhodes was neither pinned nor decisively defeated. Combining these three top stars into a triple threat bout would deliver a high-stakes, unpredictable main event.
This setup also allows Reigns to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship, potentially marking the fifth time he has held the title in his career, solidifying his legacy as one of WWE’s most dominant champions.
Each of these possibilities demonstrates the creative directions Triple H might take with the Drew McIntyre WWE title in the buildup to WrestleMania 42. Whether through injury, alliances, or a multi-competitor match, the coming months promise intense rivalries and dramatic title changes that WWE audiences will keenly anticipate.
