On this week’s WWE SmackDown, Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre were scheduled to fight over the Undisputed WWE Championship in a Three Stages of Hell match. There weren’t many people who hoped to see McIntyre win. After all, the title defense was happening on a weekly show, and the World Title hadn’t changed hands on a non-PPV event for a long time.
When Jacob Fatu returned during the main event and attacked McIntyre, everyone just assumed this was it for The Scottish Warrior. But then McIntyre found an opportunity to slip out of the ring when Fatu attacked Rhodes and won the match. A new report now says this was actually Cody and Drew’s idea.
Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre Pitched The Title Change On Friday Night SmackDown
Bodyslam+ is reporting that Cody Rhodes losing to Drew McIntyre was pushed for by both wrestlers behind the scenes. This wasn’t the first time The American Nightmare wanted to drop his title to McIntyre, as Bodyslam had previously reported he wanted to lose to McIntyre during their Wrestlepalooza match as well.
“Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre once again reportedly pitched for the Undisputed Championship to change hands this week on SmackDown, as was the case for Wrestlepalooza.
WWE decided now was the right time and pulled the trigger to crown Drew as the new Undisputed Champion.”
This is Drew McIntyre’s fourth World Championship reign in WWE. His last title reign came in 2024, when he defeated Seth Rollins at WrestleMania for the World Heavyweight Title. However, his reign was cut short by Damian Priest, who cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.
Following his victory, McIntyre posted a message on social media saying he’s no longer bored at work (a reference to one of his previous posts).
No longer bored at work pic.twitter.com/GMt3pqzgNg
— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) January 10, 2026
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