Drew McIntyre set the WWE world abuzz after capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship on Friday Night SmackDown, overcoming Cody Rhodes in a dramatic Three Stages of Hell Match. The unexpected conclusion to the bout, which centered on the Cody Rhodes WWE SmackDown rivalry, has sparked new questions regarding McIntyre’s reign and the future of WWE’s top contenders.
A Hard-Fought Rivalry Reaches Its Breaking Point
Recent weeks have seen Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes locking horns over the Undisputed WWE Championship, battling in multiple live events. Until now, every match between the Scottish Warrior and the American Nightmare had ended with McIntyre suffering defeat. This week’s SmackDown showdown brought their feud to a crescendo as both superstars pushed each other to the limit in a back-and-forth clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The match reached its turning point when Jacob Fatu made a surprise appearance, assaulting Drew McIntyre in apparent retaliation for a storyline injury previously inflicted by McIntyre. As Cody Rhodes attempted to intervene, Fatu unleashed a sudden attack on Rhodes himself. In the chaos inside the steel cage, McIntyre found an opportunity to crawl out, securing both the victory and the Undisputed WWE Championship—a win that marked a major shift for the Scottish Warrior, altering the landscape of Friday Night SmackDown.
Drew McIntyre Breaks Character to Reflect on His Journey
Following his title win, McIntyre addressed fans during a live event in Glasgow, Scotland. He broke from his usual persona, referencing his devastating defeat to Roman Reigns at Clash at the Castle 2022. That loss, he said, was a low point that drove him into a difficult phase, a narrative now reversed after his triumph over Rhodes.
“Remember, Clash at the Castle? The first one. I wrestled Roman [Reigns], but I got scr**ed over by Solo [Sikoa]. That was the worst thing of my career. Sent me on this downward spiral that I knew would end with this title,”
he said.
— Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
McIntyre’s candid remarks shed light on both the personal stakes and the larger emotional weight carried by his new reign as champion, a reminder of how storylines and real-life sentiments often intertwine in WWE’s biggest moments.
The Search for McIntyre’s First Challenger Intensifies
As Triple H and WWE’s creative team prepare to determine Drew McIntyre’s first challenger, a competitive series of matches has been announced. Notable personalities and fan favorites are being considered, promising a fresh direction for the title picture. On his Notsam Wrestling podcast, WWE personality Sam Roberts weighed in, voicing support for Ilja Dragunov to win the tournament and face McIntyre at the Royal Rumble in 2026.
“If it’s me, I mean, just like going off pure emotions and feelings, I’m putting Drew McIntyre and Ilja Dragunov together in that title match. I’m making your Rumble title match Drew McIntyre vs. Ilja Dragunov. It’s like, it’s a sick match. It will make Ilja look like a main eventer. It will really good title win for Drew.”
— Sam Roberts, RAW Personality
Roberts suggested that a matchup between McIntyre and Dragunov could elevate both superstars, giving Dragunov the platform of a main event star while providing McIntyre a formidable first defense of his reign.
What Lies Ahead for Drew McIntyre and the WWE Championship?
With Drew McIntyre now holding the Undisputed WWE Championship, the landscape on Friday Night SmackDown has shifted dramatically. Cody Rhodes, after a series of failed attempts, faces uncertainty about his championship aspirations while the emergence of contenders like Ilja Dragunov adds further intrigue. As creative plans develop in Stamford and tournament matches unfold, all eyes will be on McIntyre’s next challenger and the way his championship run will influence future storylines in WWE. The events that played out in Scotland and the seismic result on SmackDown have ensured that the Cody Rhodes WWE SmackDown rivalry and McIntyre’s journey will remain at the center of the WWE universe in the coming weeks.
I used to dream of a moment like this…
O FLOWER OF SCOTLAND 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/pnfSNqGKCR
— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) January 10, 2026
