Drew McIntyre, currently holding the Undisputed WWE Championship, may not be entering WrestleMania 42 as champion, according to recent speculation in the wrestling community. The focus keyword, Drew McIntyre WWE Championship, remains central as fans debate the length and significance of his reign amid rumors of major storyline changes ahead of the company’s biggest event.
Drew McIntyre Claims Gold After Years Without Fans
As of January 13, 2026, Drew McIntyre stands atop WWE as the Undisputed Champion after defeating Cody Rhodes in a highly physical Three Stages Of Hell match on January 9. This marked McIntyre’s first championship run in front of a live crowd, something he had sought since the global pandemic forced previous reigns to play out in empty arenas. The Scottish wrestler’s prior victories came without fan attendance, which left his historic accomplishments feeling incomplete to many supporters.
McIntyre’s rise to the championship was anything but straightforward. At WrestleMania 40, he captured the World Heavyweight title by besting Seth Rollins in a celebrated contest, only for Damien Priest to abruptly cash in the Money in the Bank contract — aided by CM Punk — and snatch the championship away within minutes. The sequence underscored how quickly fortunes can shift in WWE and set the stage for his current trajectory.
Cody Rhodes, Fan Favorites, and WWE’s Next Steps
While McIntyre’s return to the title scene has been widely celebrated, not all fans are eager to see Cody Rhodes excluded from the top ranks. The American Nightmare continues to resonate with WWE’s younger audience and remains one of the industry’s leading attractions. His backstage influence within the company is also widely noted. Sam Roberts, known for his coverage and analysis of WWE events, recently suggested that McIntyre might only be serving as a transitional champion, implying the title could change hands again before WrestleMania 42.
WrestleMania 42 Title Landscape and New Contenders
During an appearance on Notsam Wrestling, Roberts detailed how WWE’s creative direction could lead to McIntyre dropping the championship prior to WrestleMania’s main event. According to Roberts, there is significant momentum behind a rumored clash between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed World Title in Las Vegas. To facilitate this, numerous booking options remain viable for WWE’s storytelling, with Jacob Fatu being a key variable.
“I see Drew McIntyre leaving the Royal Rumble with the [WWE] Championship. I think Cody [Rhodes] will have the title before WrestleMania [42]. Whether it’s because we do a Drew McIntyre, Jacob Fatu, and Cody Rhodes Triple Threat … at Elimination Chamber? However you want to do it. There’s a million ways to do it. […] I think Roman Reigns is the match for Cody Rhodes [in Las Vegas],” Sam Roberts said.
Roberts’ remarks reflect ongoing speculation about the direction of the championship. The company has the option to stage a high-stakes Triple Threat match at Elimination Chamber, involving McIntyre, Rhodes, and Fatu, to shift the championship before the marquee event in Las Vegas. Jacob Fatu, known as The Samoan Werewolf, played a critical role in McIntyre’s recent title win and has a renewed rivalry with the Scot, making this scenario plausible.
Jacob Fatu’s Return and Renewed Rivalry
Jacob Fatu had taken a brief hiatus at the end of the previous year due to a dental issue but has now returned, re-igniting his feud with McIntyre. Notably, there is ongoing intrigue regarding whether McIntyre was the shadowy attacker responsible for Fatu’s brutal backstage assault last October, which contributed to the tension between them. The possible continuation of their rivalry could mean that McIntyre’s reign is threatened not only by Rhodes but by Fatu’s quest as well.
With significant names like Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, Jacob Fatu, and Drew McIntyre connected to the current narrative, expectations for WrestleMania 42 are high. If WWE shifts its main event plans toward a Roman Reigns versus Cody Rhodes showdown for the Undisputed World Title, it is unlikely that McIntyre will remain champion by the time the spotlight reaches Las Vegas.
What This Means for the Road to WrestleMania
As WrestleMania approaches, WWE’s storylines are clearly designed to create uncertainty and dramatic momentum around the fate of the Drew McIntyre WWE Championship. Longtime fans are eager to see whether McIntyre’s long-awaited reign in front of a live audience will last, or if he will lose the title in the lead-up to wrestling’s biggest stage. With new alliances, simmering rivalries, and high-profile names in the mix, the coming weeks promise a dynamic and unpredictable championship picture ahead of WrestleMania 42.
