Drew McIntyre stands as the new WWE Champion after overcoming Cody Rhodes in an intense Three Stages Of Hell match on Friday Night SmackDown, launching his fourth world title reign. With this victory, a wave of fresh anticipation surrounds the main event landscape, prompting speculation on the most likely Drew McIntyre WWE Championship challengers in the months ahead.
For the first time in years, the WWE Championship has shifted away from the likes of Cody Rhodes, John Cena, and Roman Reigns, setting the stage for new rivalries and stories to unfold. Several standout names within WWE’s roster are poised to step up, aiming to dethrone McIntyre at signature events such as the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, WrestleMania 42, or even on future episodes of Friday Night SmackDown.
Oba Femi’s Opportunity to Step into the Main Event
Oba Femi is widely seen as a future main event talent, and his history with Drew McIntyre fuels speculation about a forthcoming showdown. Their paths dramatically crossed late last year at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where McIntyre’s interference in Femi’s bout with Cody Rhodes led to chaos, resulting in Femi getting the upper hand over McIntyre. This unfinished business, along with Femi’s trajectory towards a main roster debut, makes him a logical challenger for the WWE’s biggest prize. With WWE reportedly eager to push Femi into the spotlight, a championship clash could serve as a powerful way to introduce him to the main event scene and elevate both athletes.
Randy Orton Aims to Rekindle Title Pursuit
Randy Orton’s longstanding ambitions for the WWE Championship bring him squarely into focus as one of McIntyre’s top potential opponents. Throughout 2025, Orton and McIntyre were embroiled in a series of high-profile confrontations, with McIntyre ultimately prevailing in their most recent battle. Orton made his desires for the title clear during Cody Rhodes’ reign, and now, with McIntyre at the top, there is little left to deter Orton from resuming his quest. WWE has a proven pattern of capitalizing on marquee matchups at major events, and an Orton-McIntyre collision at the Royal Rumble or even WrestleMania would fit perfectly into this tradition, building on their intensive rivalry from the previous year.
Ilja Dragunov Seeks Redemption on the Grand Stage
Ilja Dragunov distinguished himself throughout 2025, particularly with a series of open challenges as United States Champion, until he was bested by Carmelo Hayes. In the aftermath, Dragunov’s singles run points towards a move up the card, positioning him as a contender for McIntyre’s championship. A fierce match—even if limited to a prominent episode of SmackDown—could serve as a proving ground for Dragunov, helping cement his place among the elite. Should he give McIntyre a significant challenge, Dragunov stands to further solidify his standing on WWE’s blue brand.
Jacob Fatu Returns for Vengeance
Jacob Fatu’s path to the title is charged with animosity, stemming from heated tensions and a controversial attack that sidelined him during the latter half of 2025. Fatu made a statement with his return on SmackDown, launching an assault against McIntyre, whom he holds responsible for his prior absence. The complex dynamic between Fatu and McIntyre is intensified by Fatu’s inadvertent role in McIntyre’s title win, adding further intrigue to their potential bout. As Fatu works to reclaim his spot, a showdown with the reigning champion appears increasingly inevitable, foreshadowing an encounter driven by personal vendetta and the pursuit of WWE’s top championship.
Sami Zayn Presses for His Long-Awaited Title Shot
Sami Zayn has been vocal about his intent to capture the WWE Championship, especially as WWE’s focus turns to the high-profile Royal Rumble event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Zayn and McIntyre share a lengthy history of conflict, setting the scene for a clash that may headline the upcoming premium live event. Zayn’s repeated statements make clear his mission to claim his first WWE world title, and industry watchers anticipate this as the most likely marquee match for the Royal Rumble. While the odds may be against Zayn in his initial attempt, his persistent pursuit could position him as a top contender for a lengthy, dramatic chase towards championship glory.
Cody Rhodes Pursues a Rematch Against McIntyre
Cody Rhodes, the very man McIntyre defeated to claim the championship, remains a central figure in WWE’s world title picture. After months of back-and-forth competition between the two, the idea of Rhodes seeking retribution is hard to ignore. The narrative of Rhodes being robbed of the title provides a compelling reason for a rematch, potentially reigniting their rivalry on the path to WrestleMania 42. Rhodes’ sustained star power and consistent involvement in main events make him a perennial threat, whether he aims to recapture the championship before WrestleMania or remains in the hunt as the road to the biggest show of the year continues.
Roman Reigns Looms as a Pivotal Threat
Roman Reigns, absent from the world championship scene since 2024, sits atop the list of major threats to McIntyre’s reign. Reports indicate that WWE may be building toward a blockbuster Reigns versus Cody Rhodes clash at WrestleMania 42, which could see the title change hands once again. Such plans suggest that Reigns could soon end McIntyre’s reign, potentially reclaiming the championship and delivering his first babyface title run since 2018. The reemergence of Reigns instantly shifts the dynamics of the title hunt and could mark a significant shift in WWE’s storytelling direction.
As these Drew McIntyre WWE Championship challengers line up, the landscape of WWE’s main event scene remains unpredictable and charged with tension. Whether McIntyre can fend off these determined contenders—ranging from fresh breakout stars to established legends—will shape the direction of WWE’s premier storylines, with fans and performers alike anticipating dramatic title battles across 2026’s key events.
