Drew McIntyre has faced some of the toughest competitors in modern wrestling, including Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar, Sami Zayn, Bobby Lashley, and Jey Uso. Throughout his career, many of them have fallen to his devastating Claymore Kick.
But over the past two years, McIntyre’s most memorable rivalries have been with CM Punk and Cody Rhodes. In a recent interview, McIntyre revealed which of the two he considers the tougher opponent.
Drew McIntyre’s Intense Feud With CM Punk
McIntyre and CM Punk shared one of the most heated rivalries in recent WWE history. Their feud lasted nearly a year and featured several major matches.
The rivalry included three high-profile encounters:
- SummerSlam 2024 – McIntyre defeated Punk in a match where Seth Rollins served as special referee.
- Bash in Berlin 2024 – Punk won a brutal Strap Match.
- Bad Blood 2024 – Punk defeated McIntyre in a dramatic Hell in a Cell match to end the feud.
The series of matches created one of WWE’s most intense storylines during that period.
Drew McIntyre vs Cody Rhodes Rivalry
McIntyre also had a major rivalry with Cody Rhodes, which played a key role in the WWE Championship scene.
Their feud included several big matches:
- Wrestlepalooza (September) – Rhodes defeated McIntyre.
- Saturday Night’s Main Event (November) – Rhodes won again.
- January 2026 – 3 Stages of Hell Match – McIntyre defeated Rhodes to win the WWE Championship.
These matches helped establish both stars as central figures in WWE’s main event picture.
McIntyre Says CM Punk Was the Harder Opponent
When asked which rival was tougher, McIntyre chose CM Punk.
In an interview with Complex Graps, McIntyre said Punk pushed him further in their battles. He acknowledged Punk’s toughness, even while criticizing his personality.
McIntyre also referenced the Hell in a Cell match where Punk defeated him, saying the loss came after severe punishment during the brutal contest.
Despite that loss, McIntyre hinted that the rivalry may not be finished and suggested another showdown could happen in the future.
Respect for Cody Rhodes
Although he named Punk as the tougher rival, McIntyre still praised Cody Rhodes’ abilities.
He acknowledged Rhodes’ talent and resilience, saying Rhodes can withstand extreme punishment in the ring. However, McIntyre also criticized what he described as Rhodes’ “golden boy” persona.
Even with those comments, their rivalry continues to shape WWE storylines.
Rhodes Regains the WWE Championship
The feud between McIntyre and Rhodes recently resurfaced on WWE SmackDown.
After McIntyre interfered in the men’s Elimination Chamber match, WWE official Nick Aldis forced McIntyre to defend the WWE Championship against Rhodes.
Rhodes won the match and regained the title.
WrestleMania Championship Match Set
With the championship back around his waist, Cody Rhodes now moves on to a major showdown at WrestleMania.
Rhodes is scheduled to defend the WWE Championship against Randy Orton at WrestleMania.
The event will take place on April 18 and April 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on ESPN Unlimited and Netflix internationally.
FAQs
Who did Drew McIntyre say was his toughest opponent?
Drew McIntyre said CM Punk was the tougher opponent compared to Cody Rhodes.
How many times did Drew McIntyre face CM Punk?
They wrestled three times, including matches at SummerSlam, Bash in Berlin, and Bad Blood in 2024.
Did Drew McIntyre win the WWE Championship recently?
Yes. McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes in a 3 Stages of Hell match in January 2026 to win the title.
Who is Cody Rhodes facing at WrestleMania?
Cody Rhodes is scheduled to defend the WWE Championship against Randy Orton at WrestleMania.
Where will WrestleMania take place?
WrestleMania will be held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18 and April 19.
