Drew McIntyre suffered another defeat in a world title match at Wrestlepalooza, falling short against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Wrestling veteran Konnan expressed concerns that WWE is mishandling McIntyre by having him lose too frequently, potentially undermining his status. The ongoing Drew McIntyre title losses have sparked debate about how the company is positioning the Scottish star.
McIntyre originally reached the pinnacle of WWE success at WrestleMania 36 by defeating Brock Lesnar to claim the WWE Championship. He briefly held the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40, but his reign ended within minutes when Damian Priest cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. Since then, McIntyre’s pursuit of world titles has been marked by repeated setbacks.
During a recent episode of the Keepin’ It 100 podcast, Konnan and Disco Inferno reviewed the Wrestlepalooza event. While Konnan praised the main event between McIntyre and Rhodes as solid, he criticized the decision to have McIntyre lose yet again in a title match.
“I just think he loses too much when he’s going for the title. They need to give it to him and give him a good run. I mean, he deserves it. He’s great on the mic. He’s great in the ring,” Konnan said.
Following his loss at WrestleMania 40, McIntyre has had three additional opportunities to capture world championships. He was defeated by Damian Priest in their rematch at Clash at the Castle in Scotland. McIntyre also secured the Money in the Bank contract last year but was denied a title win on the same night due to interference from CM Punk. His latest title shot ended at Wrestlepalooza against Cody Rhodes, prolonging his string of near-misses.
Emerging Rivalry Develops on SmackDown
On the most recent SmackDown episode, Drew McIntyre made a notable appearance sporting a walking boot on an injured foot. Visibly frustrated, he blamed both Cody Rhodes and referee Ryan Tran for his defeat at Wrestlepalooza. The tense atmosphere escalated when Jacob Fatu returned to television after nearly a month away. Fatu confronted McIntyre, who struck first with a Glasgow Kiss headbutt. Yet Fatu remained unfazed and countered with a superkick.
After the exchange, Fatu removed McIntyre’s walking boot and used it as a weapon before exiting the ring. This confrontation hints at a possible extended feud between McIntyre and Fatu, adding new intrigue to WWE’s storylines. Meanwhile, McIntyre is balancing his wrestling career with acting, having been cast as Angus McLeod in the upcoming Highlander reboot featuring Henry Cavill, Russell Crowe, Karen Gillan, and WWE legend Dave Bautista, according to Deadline.
The Impact of Repeated Title Losses on McIntyre’s Career
The pattern of Drew McIntyre’s frequent title match losses raises questions about WWE’s long-term plans for him. Despite McIntyre’s proven in-ring skills and charisma on the mic, his inability to secure sustained championship runs could limit his visibility and momentum. Konnan’s remarks highlight a shared frustration within the wrestling community that McIntyre deserves a more consistent push to capitalize on his talents.
This ongoing situation places McIntyre at a crossroads, as WWE must decide whether to reinvest in him as a top-tier champion or continue using him in transitional roles. The recent confrontations on SmackDown and his cross-industry ventures suggest McIntyre’s profile remains significant, but uncertainty surrounds his future championship prospects.
With WWE facing intense competition and evolving audience expectations, how the company handles Drew McIntyre’s booking will be pivotal. Long-term success requires not only title victories but also a narrative that elevates the wrestler’s connection with fans. As McIntyre prepares for upcoming storylines, his trajectory will likely influence WWE’s broader strategy in presenting world champions amid a crowded field.
