All articles tagged with #drew mcintyre
WWE reportedly explored a plan to have Drew McIntyre substitute for Jacob Fatu if he wasn’t cleared after an injury scare at a UK live event, ahead of Clash in Italy 2026.
Night One of WrestleMania 42 unfolded at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas with host John Cena; marquee matchups included Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed Men’s Championship, high-stakes women’s bouts, an unsanctioned clash between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu, and a Trios bout where LA Knight & the Usos defeated IShowSpeed & the Vision, with Fatu and Knight/Usos securing the announced wins.
Orton opened SmackDown with a fiery promo and a dominant win over Matt Cardona, setting the stage for his WrestleMania clash while Cody Rhodes watched from ringside. Sami Zayn captured the United States Championship from Carmelo Hayes after Trick Williams’ miscue, hinting at a Zayn–Williams program at Mania. Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu were booked in an Unsanctioned WrestleMania match, and Jade Cargill’s trio continued to target Rhea Ripley to keep their feud alive. Jelly Roll defeated Kit Wilson in a crowd-pleasing segment, and a post‑match confrontation saw Cody Rhodes confront Orton as the show closed with Orton’s ominous grin.
WWE SmackDown from Pittsburgh set the WrestleMania pace with Randy Orton looming backstage and threatening more chaos, Cody Rhodes set to return to address him, and a major injury tease for Drew McIntyre. The night also featured Jelly Roll’s surprise win over Kit Wilson, interruptions and new alliances involving Jade Cargill, plus injury updates for Nikki Bella and hints of title drama including a possible United States Title defense, all shaping the Road to WrestleMania.
Drew McIntyre quit SmackDown after losing to Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship, challenging the result on-air before Jacob Fatu interrupted and suggested McIntyre was blaming the wrong people.
Drew McIntyre quit WWE at the start of SmackDown after losing the title, but resurfaced later to cost Jacob Fatu his match and book a McIntyre–Fatu clash for next week.
Drew McIntyre announced he had quit WWE during Friday Night SmackDown, venting his frustrations at management and fans; he later returned to cost Jacob Fatu his match, with a next-week bout teased. The piece notes the quit is a storyline, not a real departure, amid WrestleMania plans.
Drew McIntyre briefly captured the Undisputed WWE Championship before Cody Rhodes reclaimed it weeks later, a move reportedly intended to refresh the main event scene ahead of WrestleMania. McIntyre anticipated a short reign; the switch followed concerns about a stale title picture, fan backlash to Rhodes vs. Reigns, and Bron Breakker’s injury, with Road Dogg cited as a creative influencer behind the pivot.
PWInsider reports WWE floated a Hell in a Cell match between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes for WrestleMania 42, but the company proceeded with Rhodes vs. Randy Orton as the Mania title bout, with McIntyre potentially facing Jacob Fatu. Orton earned his title shot at Elimination Chamber, Rhodes won the title back on SmackDown, and the Rhodes-vs-Orton plan remains the likely Mania match for now.
Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre on SmackDown to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship, with Jacob Fatu interfering earlier to aid McIntyre; Rhodes will defend the title against Randy Orton at WrestleMania.
Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre on SmackDown to win the WWE Championship for the third time, in a chaotic finish involving a second referee and interference by Jacob Fatu, then pinned McIntyre with a crossroads to secure the title and set up a WrestleMania 42 match against Randy Orton. A contract signing for WrestleMania 42 was also announced for next week’s SmackDown.
Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre to win back the Undisputed WWE Championship on SmackDown in Portland, but fans immediately criticized the finish as a controversial booking move and lamented McIntyre’s abrupt title exit, with memes and sharp critiques aimed at Triple H as WrestleMania approaches.
Cody Rhodes captured the WWE Championship on SmackDown after a chaotic finish involving Jacob Fatu, defeating Drew McIntyre and setting up a WrestleMania 42 title defense against Randy Orton in Las Vegas.
Backstage chatter suggests a new opponent for Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania, with no official opponent announced yet and speculation swirling around potential matchups.
Rumors suggest WrestleMania 42's WWE Championship match will be Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton, a change from the previously discussed Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes or a multi-person bout. The plan, backed by Cody's camp and PWInsider, reflects ongoing creative flux during the build to WrestleMania.