Drew McIntyre’s aspirations for the Drew McIntyre WWE Championship could be under threat as new developments have emerged ahead of his highly anticipated title match on the upcoming episode of SmackDown. Recent reports indicate that plans for the WWE Championship picture may not be in McIntyre’s favor, despite the buildup to his showdown with Cody Rhodes.
Major Changes in WWE Championship Plans Emerge
This week’s SmackDown, now extended to three hours, was marked by several notable returns and surprises, most prominently Randy Orton’s comeback. Orton, known as “The Viper,” returned after a three-month absence and quickly made his presence felt by interrupting The Miz in the opening segment. WWE appears to have significant plans for Orton going forward, with rumors swirling about his future involvement in the championship storyline.
According to an update shared by Andrew Baydala on social media platform X (Twitter), the current trajectory points towards a headline bout between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship at an upcoming premium live event in Saudi Arabia. This potential matchup could reshape the immediate future of the championship.
“Randy and Cody at the #RoyalRumble for the WWE Championship will be big business,”
he noted.—Andrew Baydala
Implications for Drew McIntyre’s Title Pursuit
While news of Orton’s possible clash with Rhodes at the Royal Rumble excites fans of the former World Champion, it casts uncertainty over Drew McIntyre’s current title chase. McIntyre, often called the “Scottish Warrior,” is scheduled to face Rhodes for the WWE Title next week on SmackDown in a high-stakes “Three Stages of Hell” match. Despite his persistent pursuit over the past several months, these latest developments suggest that McIntyre may not secure victory, as plans favor Rhodes retaining the championship—at least through the Berlin event.
SmackDown Escalates Ahead of Three Stages of Hell Match
On the most recent episode of SmackDown, McIntyre revealed the grueling stipulations for his impending contest with Rhodes. The opening stage will be a standard wrestling match, followed by a Falls Count Anywhere encounter, with a potential final round inside a Steel Cage if needed. Throughout the segment, McIntyre attempted to provoke Cody Rhodes by pushing him emotionally, seemingly hoping Rhodes would respond in a way that might result in him being stripped of his title.
In a particularly heated moment, McIntyre referenced Cody’s late father, Dusty Rhodes, igniting emotional tension. The encounter escalated further when McIntyre burned a photo of Dusty and Cody Rhodes together, throwing the ashes into a trash bin—an act that visibly angered Cody and raised the personal stakes for their upcoming showdown.
Looking Ahead to WWE Championship Developments
With the reported championship plans now in the spotlight, Drew McIntyre’s immediate future remains uncertain. If the rumored Orton vs. Rhodes match for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble comes to fruition, it could mean McIntyre’s quest for regaining the coveted title might be further delayed, maintaining Cody Rhodes’ reign as champion. Fans and industry watchers will be closely monitoring the outcome of the Three Stages of Hell match on SmackDown, as it is set to determine the short-term direction of the Drew McIntyre WWE Championship scene within WWE’s rapidly evolving landscape.
He is ON the board. Ari the chairman has been with Rock for years at the agency. So if there even was discussion it would go to about 3 people. And my guess is noone is calling a dirtsheet writer. It’s just comical. I am also reading these reports “the rock is ruled out of a… https://t.co/oi0B549ca0
— The Coach (@Thecoachrules) January 2, 2026
