Drew McIntyre’s Royal Rumble opponent may come as a major surprise, with WWE analysts suggesting the company will avoid predictable matchups for the upcoming event. After McIntyre’s dramatic Undisputed WWE Championship win on SmackDown, speculation is intensifying over who will face him on such a grand stage, stirring debate among wrestlers and fans about the next challenger for the title.
McIntyre Seizes the Undisputed WWE Championship Amidst Chaos
On the latest SmackDown, Drew McIntyre captured the Undisputed WWE Championship in a turbulent Three Stages of Hell match against Cody Rhodes. The contest saw Rhodes and McIntyre each claim a victory in the first two segments. In the decisive stage, McIntyre tried to escape the steel cage, only for Jacob Fatu, referred to as the Samoan Werewolf, to suddenly appear and disrupt the match. Fatu attacked the Scottish Warrior and got into a fight with Rhodes, creating an opening for McIntyre to crawl out of the cage and become champion. This wild finish left both participants and viewers stunned, highlighting the unpredictability in WWE storylines.
Who Might Face McIntyre at the 2026 Royal Rumble?
Following McIntyre’s victory, attention has shifted to his potential challenger at the Royal Rumble. Sam Roberts, known for his podcast NotSam Wrestling, believes that the obvious choices—Cody Rhodes or Jacob Fatu—will not be McIntyre’s opponents. This view is reinforced by SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis’s decision to establish a tournament, with the winner earning a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship at the next Premium Live Event.
Roberts outlined his thinking on the scenario, stating,
“In my head I am going to the [Royal] Rumble and you do Cody [Rhodes] vs Jacob [Fatu] vs Drew [McIntyre]. And that’s your ‘Rumble match. But that ain’t gonna be your ‘Rumble match, no it isn’t. Because instead, you’re gonna have Drew McIntyre versus somebody completely different, who’s gonna win one of these matches next week and then win the fatal four way. Could be Matt Cardona, could be Trick Williams. If it’s me, I mean just like going off pure emotions and feelings, I am putting Drew McIntyre and Ilja Dragunov together in that title match,”
Roberts said. – Sam Roberts, NotSam Wrestling
This perspective suggests WWE may select a competitor not yet at the forefront of championship storylines, with Matt Cardona, Trick Williams, or Ilja Dragunov all being floated as exciting, less-expected options. Such a move could create new rivalries and reinvigorate the main event scene.
Tournament Structure Offers Opportunities for New Contenders
The upcoming tournament, announced by Nick Aldis, will be crucial in determining McIntyre’s championship challenger. With several emerging talents and established names involved, each match in the series will have significant stakes. The tournament winner will face Drew McIntyre in a title match at the Royal Rumble, offering the potential for an unexpected contender to seize the spotlight on one of WWE’s biggest stages.
The process, which includes a fatal four-way finale, ensures that no single wrestler has an obvious advantage. Fans and insiders alike are now speculating about who can advance through the tournament and deliver a memorable title challenge at the Royal Rumble.
The Emotional Weight of McIntyre’s Victory and Next Steps
For Drew McIntyre, finally winning the Undisputed WWE Championship marks the culmination of years of perseverance and ambition, following a longing that dates back to 2021. Now holding the title, McIntyre faces the unique pressure of defending it against an opponent who could emerge from the shadows. The sense of emotional tension—heightened by unpredictable challengers and unresolved rivalries—adds depth to WWE’s ongoing narrative.
As speculation swirls and anticipation builds, the identity of Drew McIntyre’s Royal Rumble opponent is set to remain a closely-guarded mystery until the tournament concludes. Regardless of who emerges to challenge him, the event promises to deliver both surprise and intensity, keeping WWE fans invested in McIntyre’s next chapter as champion.
