Cody Rhodes secured the Undisputed WWE Championship for a second time at SummerSlam, held recently in New Jersey. Despite the anticipation around his renewed title reign, former WWE insider Tommy Carlucci has voiced his opinion that Rhodes should surrender the championship to Drew McIntyre, his former tag team partner, to refresh the main event scene.
Rhodes’ recent journey includes winning the championship in Philadelphia at WrestleMania XL by defeating Roman Reigns, a victory that marked a significant moment in his career. He maintained the title for over 370 days before eventually losing it to John Cena. After capturing the 2025 King of the Ring Tournament, Rhodes earned another shot at the championship, reclaiming it at the marquee SummerSlam event in New Jersey.
Former Insider’s Perspective on WWE’s Creative Direction
During a discussion on Behind The Turnbuckle Studios’ show The Last Word, host Jonathan Coachman asked Tommy Carlucci for his ideal booking choices. Carlucci expressed a strong preference for Drew McIntyre to become the next Undisputed WWE Champion by defeating Cody Rhodes, suggesting a change would benefit the company’s storytelling and roster dynamic.
“I would’ve had Cody Rhodes lose the title to Drew [McIntyre] big-time, because it’s Drew’s time. Let him run with the ball. I love Cody, but I’m tired of seeing him being champ. Let’s change the box a little bit here and make him [Drew] a champ,” Tommy Carlucci said. — Behind The Turnbuckle Studios
History of Rhodes and McIntyre as a Tag Team
Almost a decade and a half ago, Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre were far from the top-tier superstars they are today. At that time, Rhodes was carving out his path after his departure from Legacy, while McIntyre, once branded “The Chosen One,” was working to regain momentum within WWE.
The two combined forces to form a tag team and made a lasting impression by winning the WWE Tag Team Championship. This occurred at WWE Night of Champions 2010 during a Tag Team Turmoil match, where they defeated The Hart Dynasty. Rhodes and McIntyre held the gold for 35 days before relinquishing it to The Nexus’ David Otunga and John Cena.
Since then, both wrestlers have followed somewhat parallel career trajectories, rising to prominence individually as main-event players. Their history as partners adds intrigue to any potential championship clash, leaving fans eager to see who ultimately emerges with the title.
Implications of a Potential Title Change
If Drew McIntyre defeats Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship, it could signal a shift in WWE’s creative direction, highlighting McIntyre’s status as a major star and injecting fresh energy into the title scene. This move may also deepen the storyline between two former partners, creating new opportunities for engaging rivalries.
WWE fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see whether management embraces this potential change, which would reshape the current championship landscape and potentially usher in a new era for the company’s top title.
