Drew McIntyre WWE Championship match hopes have been shaken after a series of losses just days before his highly anticipated bout against Cody Rhodes. On January 9, 2026, these two rivals will battle for the Undisputed WWE Championship in a Three Stages of Hell Match in Berlin, Germany, where the stakes have never felt higher amid McIntyre’s rough patch.
The ongoing rivalry between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes has grown more intense, with their most recent confrontation during the WWE Holiday Tour highlighting the pressure facing McIntyre. In a dramatic segment on SmackDown, McIntyre provoked fans and his opponent by destroying a photo of Cody Rhodes and his late father, Dusty Rhodes, intensifying an already heated storyline.
Despite his tough persona as The Scottish Warrior, McIntyre has suffered defeat after defeat at the hands of The American Nightmare at WWE live events. Their December 26, 2025, clash in a No DQ Match ended with Rhodes victorious and holding onto the Undisputed WWE Championship. The very next night, another fierce contest—a Street Fight—again saw Rhodes come out on top.
The downturn continued for McIntyre, as the rivals met three more times in Street Fights, none breaking Rhodes’ streak. In their latest confrontation inside a Steel Cage in Worcester, McIntyre again failed to score a win. With six straight losses to Cody Rhodes, concern is mounting about his trajectory going into the championship showdown in Berlin.
Creative Team’s Plans and Industry Reaction
Behind the scenes, speculation is growing about McIntyre’s future. Industry analyst Jonathan Coachman recently commented on potential outcomes, suggesting WWE’s creative direction may not favor McIntyre in this critical phase. Coachman indicated that Triple H, who leads the creative team, is expected to orchestrate yet another win for Rhodes—a decision that would extend McIntyre’s losing streak further and potentially set the stage for an even bigger match at WrestleMania 42.
“But that’s exactly what is going to happen. My sources have Cody and Roman at mania. Such a miss the last 18 months. Drew has the “heel chops” to be that nasty heel they need that they see to be positioning Gunther to try and be. But Gunther simply isn’t that kind of a heel. Booking is not write and Drew Is getting the short end of stick,” he wrote. – Jonathan Coachman, analyst
This insider perspective fuels frustration among fans who see McIntyre’s talents as underappreciated. The notion that the Stamford-based promotion is overlooking his capabilities in favor of advancing other storylines is echoed by many, particularly as hints arise that WWE may look toward a Cody Rhodes versus Roman Reigns event for the title on one of its grandest stages.
What Lies Ahead for McIntyre Amid Uncertainty
As anticipation builds for the Drew McIntyre WWE Championship match in Berlin, the atmosphere is thick with disappointment and agitation among his supporters. The series of losses has taken a toll on McIntyre’s momentum, leading to widespread speculation about how he can rebound—or if he will be granted another opportunity to shine at the top level of WWE competition.
The outcome of the Three Stages of Hell Match could dramatically shape the future of both superstars, with WWE fans and key figures like Roman Reigns and Gunther all poised as potential pivots for the next storyline. For now, the wrestling world watches to see whether The Scottish Warrior can reverse his fortunes or if WWE creative will continue to push its current narrative, possibly sidelining McIntyre’s championship aspirations even further.
Cody beat Drew McIntyre in a steel cage match!#WWEWorcester pic.twitter.com/pQKSX4mU99
— MoDawg (@MoDawg81) January 4, 2026
