Drew McIntyre successfully held on to the Undisputed WWE Championship by defeating Sami Zayn at the Royal Rumble event in Riyadh. Sami Zayn, having earned his chance by winning a Fatal-4-Way match against Randy Orton, Damian Priest, and Trick Williams, stepped up with hopes of capturing the title but was unable to overcome McIntyre’s dominance.
This match marked the 12th one-on-one encounter between McIntyre and Zayn in WWE history. Despite Zayn’s resilience, especially after breaking free from a Claymore kick by placing his foot on the bottom rope, McIntyre sealed the victory with a devastating powerbomb through the reinforced Arabic announce table, leaving Zayn incapacitated.
Impactful Moments and Officials’ Concern for Sami Zayn
The collision through the announce table was severe enough to completely destroy the table, prompting multiple officials to check on Zayn’s condition. However, McIntyre showed no mercy, rolling Zayn back into the ring and delivering additional Claymore kicks before pinning him for the victory. With this win, the dominant Scotsman maintained his status as the Undisputed WWE Champion, while Zayn missed an opportunity to finally claim the title he had long chased.
THROUGH THE TABLE!! 😱Watch Royal Rumble LIVE on the @espn app: https://t.co/jKAIj8nxxt pic.twitter.com/NVguvgl8Ck— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2026
.@DMcIntyreWWE RETAINS! 💪 pic.twitter.com/mDCBZGdcEQ— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2026
McIntyre’s Unexpected Attack on Cody Rhodes During Royal Rumble Match
McIntyre’s night extended beyond defending his title when he appeared in the latter part of the men’s Royal Rumble match to target Cody Rhodes. The former 3MB member eliminated Rhodes by hitting him with a Claymore kick as Rhodes clung to the ropes, shattering Rhodes’s chance at a third consecutive Royal Rumble victory.
In a post-match interview, McIntyre explained his motivations, emphasizing a personal grudge against Rhodes. He stated his loyalty lies only with those who treat him fairly, but if crossed repeatedly, he becomes an adversary, a description fitting his relationship with Rhodes.
Drew McIntyre says he was fine with anyone winning the Royal Rumble… Just not Cody Rhodes, after eliminating Cody from the match with a Claymore: “If you don’t wrong me, if you don’t screw me time and time again I’ll be your best friend, but if you wrong me, constantly cost me… pic.twitter.com/2M6T8GWep5— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) January 31, 2026
The Root of the Feud Between McIntyre and Rhodes
The rivalry between the two wrestlers has simmered since August, with McIntyre repeatedly expressing disdain for Rhodes. He criticized the perception that Rhodes behaves differently when chasing the WWE title compared to when he already holds it, a behavior McIntyre contrasts with his own confidence as a champion.
McIntyre also vowed to make Rhodes’s life difficult for the foreseeable future, underscoring that he would have been comfortable with any competitor winning the Royal Rumble except Rhodes. Meanwhile, both men now face a common enemy in Jacob Fatu, who recently returned during a match on SmackDown and is targeting both McIntyre and Rhodes, setting the stage for an ongoing conflict leading into WrestleMania 42.
Wider WWE Context and Future Developments
Sami Zayn’s defeat by McIntyre leaves him once again searching for a breakthrough in his pursuit of the world championship. Despite the advantage of performing in Riyadh, Zayn fell short of capitalizing on the royal occasion. Interestingly, Zayn did not participate in the Royal Rumble match itself, contrary to some fans’ expectations.
Elsewhere, Liv Morgan secured a historic victory by winning the women’s Royal Rumble match, earning her first WrestleMania title shot. Other storylines, including Ricochet’s confrontation with AJ Styles and speculation regarding moves to AEW, have further shaped the WWE landscape following the event.
THROUGH THE TABLE!! 😱
Watch Royal Rumble LIVE on the @espn app: https://t.co/jKAIj8nxxt pic.twitter.com/NVguvgl8Ck
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2026
.@DMcIntyreWWE RETAINS! 💪 pic.twitter.com/mDCBZGdcEQ
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2026
Drew McIntyre says he was fine with anyone winning the Royal Rumble… Just not Cody Rhodes, after eliminating Cody from the match with a Claymore:
"If you don’t wrong me, if you don’t screw me time and time again I’ll be your best friend, but if you wrong me, constantly cost me… pic.twitter.com/2M6T8GWep5
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) January 31, 2026
