Drew McIntyre is currently facing a significant setback in his WWE career, having lost the Undisputed WWE Championship just weeks before WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. This unexpected change came during a recent SmackDown episode when McIntyre dropped the title to Cody Rhodes, with interference from Jacob Fatu playing a decisive role. The event unfolded after Fatu sought payback for a prior incident when McIntyre prevented him from entering the Men’s Elimination Chamber match.
Despite the disappointment, this turn of events reflects larger creative decisions made by WWE’s leadership, which has left McIntyre without a confirmed spot in WrestleMania’s main event, putting him in a challenging position.
Limited championship options restricted WWE’s storytelling
McIntyre’s reign as champion lasted only 56 days, reflecting the difficulties WWE faced in building a compelling WrestleMania main event centered on him. The available matchups as champion were limited, making it difficult to generate fresh, high-profile singles bouts. A rematch with Cody Rhodes was unlikely, as they recently clashed, and repeating that at WrestleMania would lack novelty.
Similarly, a one-on-one match with Randy Orton or Jacob Fatu, while potentially strong, did not meet the expectations for a WrestleMania main event’s grandeur. Sami Zayn, fresh off a title pursuit at the Royal Rumble, is being positioned for a slow-building championship storyline, ruling him out as a direct opponent for McIntyre at this stage.
Theoretically, multi-person matches including McIntyre, Rhodes, Orton, Fatu, and Zayn could have been staged, but WrestleMania settings seldom favor such formats for the top prize. These matches often signal creative hesitation rather than strong storytelling, resulting in less impactful main events.
Why sacrificing McIntyre’s title shot benefits WrestleMania’s main event
Focusing on a singles championship match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton elevates WrestleMania’s prestige more than any potential McIntyre matchup. WWE has been building this rivalry over several years, with history dating back to Rhodes and Orton’s time together in the Legacy faction. Their feud has the makings of a marquee match suitable for the biggest WWE stage.
The current storyline dynamics add to this narrative, with Rhodes receiving mixed reactions from the WWE fanbase. This can create a charged atmosphere, especially in Las Vegas, where Orton aims for his 15th world championship, a milestone that adds further significance to the match.
Though the situation is frustrating for McIntyre and his supporters, this reshuffling prioritizes the WrestleMania main event’s quality and storytelling strength, which WWE deems essential for the event’s success.
Drawing parallels: McIntyre’s setback compared to past WWE moments
Drew McIntyre’s current role is reminiscent of how Edge was positioned before WrestleMania 22 in 2006. Edge was a prominent WWE figure but was left out of the main championship match in favor of other marquee storylines. Instead, Edge participated in a notable hardcore match with Mick Foley, one that remains memorable among fans despite diverging from the event’s headline moments.
Similarly, McIntyre is now set to face Jacob Fatu in a singles match at WrestleMania, which could offer him a spotlight distinct from the main event. This setup provides McIntyre with a chance to deliver a compelling performance, building long-term momentum and allowing Fatu to shine as well.
McIntyre’s impact this year and the path forward
Throughout the year, Drew McIntyre has been a vital presence on SmackDown, often injecting energy and authenticity into a show that has struggled with pacing issues. His role has been crucial, and he is widely regarded as the standout performer on the roster. Nevertheless, the WrestleMania main event lineup is driven by strategic business decisions, rather than simply fan popularity or in-ring excellence.
While missing the championship spotlight at WrestleMania 42 is disappointing, this experience sets the stage for future growth and opportunities within WWE. McIntyre’s upcoming singles match offers a platform to enhance his standing, leaving the door open for future main event runs when storylines and timing are more favorable.
