Drew McIntyre’s WWE reign came to an unexpected and disappointing end when he lost the WWE championship to Cody Rhodes on SmackDown. The title change happened less than two months after McIntyre initially won the belt, abruptly ending his time at the top. This defeat also removes McIntyre from the WrestleMania 42 main event, altering the event’s landscape significantly. The Drew McIntyre WWE reign so far has failed to build the momentum fans might have hoped for, leaving many disappointed in the outcome.
Failings and Fallout During McIntyre’s Title Run
Throughout his short reign as WWE champion, McIntyre managed just one successful title defense, a match in Saudi Arabia against Sami Zayn that failed to impress the audience. Rather than dominating his competition, McIntyre spent much of his reign interfering in other wrestlers’ matches, acting more as a disruptive figure than a legitimate champion. This approach damaged his credibility, causing frustration among fans who expected a stronger presence from him. As a result, industry figures like Roman Reigns and CM Punk have openly questioned McIntyre’s status, labeling him as a lesser star compared to themselves, which now appears to be reflected in the booking decisions.
Winners and Losers in WWE After a Turbulent Week
Other Superstars also saw their fortunes shift during this chaotic week in WWE. The Wyatt Sicks failed to advance beyond the initial five-team gauntlet match on SmackDown, effectively removing them from the WWE tag team title race and possibly jeopardizing their presence at WrestleMania 42. Although their act may be more effective outside title contention, missing out on the championship picture diminishes their visibility.
Meanwhile, Giulia’s attempt to gain attention by entering the women’s tag team title contest on SmackDown ended with her being pinned by Charlotte Flair’s move, the Natural Selection. This outcome also devalued Giulia’s own United States women’s championship, especially as WWE seemed intent on protecting Kiana James over her, signaling a lack of confidence in Giulia’s role as a champion or challenger moving forward.
Rising Stars and Renewed Opportunities in WWE
Despite these setbacks, some performers managed to improve their standing dramatically. Damian Priest, previously overlooked during WrestleMania buildup, formed a new team with Ron Cena and quickly became the number one contenders for the MFTs’ WWE tag team championship. Priest’s past success alongside partners like R-Truth and Rhea Ripley suggests this pairing could generate much-needed momentum on SmackDown.
Another surprising rise came from Danhausen, who bounced back from a poor debut involving a mystery crate by making memorable appearances on both Raw and SmackDown. Known for his comedic flair, Danhausen’s interactions, including an alliance with The Miz as a reluctant mentor, have started to build a unique niche that brings humor to WWE programming, potentially increasing his popularity.
Cody Rhodes himself has solidified his status by recapturing the WWE championship and returning to WrestleMania’s main event for the fourth straight year. This accomplishment is historically significant, reinforcing Rhodes as a top babyface and dispelling doubts about his position as WWE’s leading hero.
Implications for WrestleMania and WWE’s Future Trajectory
The conclusion of Drew McIntyre’s WWE championship run signals a shift in WWE’s direction heading into WrestleMania 42. With McIntyre removed from the headline match, the focus now sharpens on Rhodes and other main event players, potentially changing storytelling dynamics and fan expectations. The setbacks for performers like the Wyatt Sicks and Giulia highlight WWE’s complex booking decisions and the fragile nature of championship status, while the rise of Priest, Danhausen, and Rhodes underlines the potential for new narratives to unfold.
As WrestleMania approaches, these developments will continue to shape WWE’s programming and audience engagement, with fans eagerly watching to see if these shifts revive excitement or deepen frustrations about booking choices and superstar pushes.
