Drew McIntyre achieved a significant career milestone by winning the WWE Championship on the January 9th edition of WWE SmackDown. The victory took place in front of a live audience during an intense Three Stages of Hell match against Cody Rhodes, marking McIntyre’s first world title win with fans in attendance.
The finish was chaotic when Jacob Fatu unexpectedly returned, attacking both competitors. Amid the turmoil, McIntyre managed to escape through the cage door, securing the championship and ending the match in dramatic fashion.
McIntyre Reflects on the Emotional Impact of His Win
Speaking about the moment, McIntyre described the win as almost unbelievable, given the setbacks he had faced in previous years. He shared,
“Amazing. It felt absolutely unbelievable. I think a lot of people had got to the point where they thought Drew McIntyre wasn’t going to be World Champion ever again, and was never going to hold the title in front of a live crowd was the amount of times I’ve been screwed over over the past few years.”
?Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
Defeating Cody Rhodes, a central figure in WWE, was particularly meaningful for McIntyre. He said,
“But I always believed I just needed the right opportunity, and Shakespeare couldn’t have written it any better the way it all went down. I beat Cody Rhodes, the face of the company, in Berlin, which makes me the new face of the company.”
?Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
Title Defense in Glasgow Brings Personal Significance
McIntyre’s first championship defense occurred the following night in Glasgow, Scotland, adding a deep personal connection to his success. He reflected,
“And my first title defense the next night was in Glasgow, Scotland, where it all began, where I first started wrestling at 15 years old. And I was able to walk out there with the WWE Championship, and fulfill the promise I made many years ago where I told everybody back home in Scotland, ‘I’m going to return one day as champion.”
?Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
Previous Title Runs and Challenges Faced by McIntyre
McIntyre originally captured the WWE title in 2020 during the pandemic, but those reigns occurred without live fans present. Although he won the championship multiple times, he had never been able to celebrate in front of a crowd until this recent victory. His later title win at WrestleMania 40 was disrupted when CM Punk attacked, allowing Damian Priest to cash in his Money in the Bank contract and seize the title.
Importance of McIntyre’s Win for WWE’s Present and Future
This championship victory not only marks a breakthrough moment in Drew McIntyre’s career but also signals a renewal for WWE as it returns to live events. By defeating top talent like Cody Rhodes and defending the title in Scotland, McIntyre reaffirms his status as a leading figure in the promotion amid a period of transition and uncertainty. His journey from early beginnings in Glasgow to becoming world champion highlights both personal perseverance and the evolving landscape of WWE.
