Should the question arise as to which WWE superstar has navigated the most volatile path on the road to WrestleMania 42, the answer is undeniably Drew McIntyre. He has spent the better part of the last year walking a razor-thin line between ultimate glory and total devastation, proving that his path to the Grandest Stage of Them All is never a straight line.
“The Scottish Warrior” started the 2026 calendar with a bang, toppling Cody Rhodes in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match on the January 9 episode of SmackDown to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship. He secured the victory by capitalizing on the chaos caused by a returning Jacob Fatu, who, after initially attacking McIntyre, turned his sights on “The American Nightmare,” allowing McIntyre just enough time to escape the cage.
While Rhodes still has a loyal following, many fans were eager for a change with the Undisputed Championship and had grown tired of the prolonged back-and-forth rivalry between him and McIntyre.
It appeared fans were getting their wish when McIntyre moved into a feud with Sami Zayn, following Zayn’s Fatal 4-Way victory at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24 to become the number one contender. The two squared off for the title at the Royal Rumble, but Zayn ultimately fell short of his dream of becoming a World Champion, losing the hard-fought match.
During the Royal Rumble match later that night, McIntyre made a surprise appearance to deliver a devastating Claymore Kick to Rhodes, illegally eliminating him from the bout. The moment signaled to fans that, despite their desire for change, WWE creative was doubling down on the lengthy feud between the two.
The chaos spilled over into the Elimination Chamber match when McIntyre made a late appearance to distract Rhodes. This left the door open for Randy Orton to take full advantage, landing his signature RKO to claim the second Chamber victory of his career.
Immediately after the show, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis announced that McIntyre would defend his title against Rhodes that upcoming Friday on SmackDown. Many fans took issue with this, noting that their previous match agreement stipulated Rhodes could only challenge for the title by winning the Rumble or the Chamber. Despite the backlash, the match went forward on March 6, 2026. McIntyre’s luck took a sharp U-turn as he lost the title back to Rhodes, following interference from Fatu.
Fourteen days after his title loss, Aldis announced that McIntyre would be granted the ultimate opportunity of revenge: he would take on “The Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 42, with the two meeting in a brutal Unsanctioned match.
WrestleMania 42 will mark McIntyre’s eleventh appearance at the “Show of Shows,” where he currently holds a 4–6 record. With another high-stakes battle on the horizon, it is the perfect time to look back at those ten previous outings and rank his five best matches on the grandest stage so far. Ahead of his clash with Fatu, let’s dive into the top five Drew McIntyre matches in WrestleMania history.
5. Drew McIntyre vs. Bobby Lashley: WrestleMania 37
WrestleMania 37 was a landmark event for fans, not only as the “Grandest Stage of Them All” but also as the first time a live crowd returned to the arena following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The card featured several high-quality bouts, including a powerhouse clash that saw Drew McIntyre challenge Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship.
Lashley entered as the dominant champion, accompanied by MVP and The Hurt Business. Meanwhile, McIntyre was seeking revenge for his title loss at Elimination Chamber; there, Lashley had ambushed him, allowing The Miz to cash in his Money in the Bank contract successfully. Lashley eventually reclaimed the gold just a few weeks later after being granted a title shot by The Miz himself.
Hosted at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, WrestleMania 37 saw the match between McIntyre and Lashley briefly delayed by a passing storm. Despite the weather, the two superstars went on to deliver an exceptional contest that earned high praise from fans and critics for its hard-hitting, physical style.
The end came when MVP provided a timely distraction, allowing Lashley to dodge a Claymore and trap McIntyre in the Hurt Lock. McIntyre refused to tap but ultimately passed out, handing Lashley the win. While McIntyre didn’t walk away with the gold, the match helped cement fans’ emotional investment in him, while solidifying Lashley as a top-tier force on the roster.
