Drew McIntyre‘s hold on the Undisputed WWE Championship remains uncertain as he suffered a surprising setback during a live event in Lubbock, Texas. The Scottish Warrior, known for his dominance, came up short in a high-stakes match that intensified his ongoing rivalry with Cody Rhodes.
Since claiming the Undisputed WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes on the January 9th SmackDown episode, Drew McIntyre has encountered continuous challenges in maintaining his reign. Despite his efforts to preventing Rhodes from regaining the title, including imposing a strict no-rematch clause through SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, the battles have spilled over into house shows where such restrictions hold less power.
Ongoing Rivalry Escalates at Road to WrestleMania Event
Over the past month, McIntyre and Rhodes have clashed repeatedly at live events, culminating in a tense encounter on WWE’s Road to WrestleMania tour in Lubbock. McIntyre was defending his Undisputed WWE Championship when the match nearly ended prematurely as he attempted to walk out, only to be stopped by Rhodes.
In a desperate move to retain his title, McIntyre deliberately got himself disqualified by hitting Rhodes with a steel chair, forcing the referee to end the match. Although Rhodes officially won, the championship did not change hands due to the disqualification rule. The match heated further as McIntyre launched a post-match attack with the chair, but Rhodes retaliated by putting McIntyre through a table, earning the crowd’s approval.
Cody Rhodes Edges Closer to Another Title Shot
Since losing the championship, Cody Rhodes has steadily fought back toward reclaiming his position. His progress was blocked when McIntyre eliminated him at the Royal Rumble, denying him a third event win. Despite this, Rhodes overcame challenges, including a setback where McIntyre attacked him and competitor Jacob Fatu during SmackDown, aiming to aid Sami Zayn’s chance for the Elimination Chamber Match.
Rhodes defied the odds by qualifying for the Elimination Chamber event in Chicago, positioning himself one victory away from securing a WrestleMania main event spot in Las Vegas. This ongoing battle raises questions about whether McIntyre will continue to stand in Rhodes’s path or if the American Nightmare will reclaim the coveted Undisputed WWE Championship soon.
