Even though he is the WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre is clearly not at peace. In fact, he seems to be fighting with almost everyone on the roster. With WrestleMania coming closer and no confirmed challenger yet, the situation around McIntyre has turned completely chaotic. And honestly, that is exactly how he likes it.
Right now, every top superstar wants a shot at the WWE Championship. From old rivals to new threats, McIntyre has enemies on both SmackDown and Raw. Let’s break down what is happening and why the road to WrestleMania looks so unpredictable.
McIntyre vs Cody Rhodes: Rivalry Far From Over
Even though McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes in January to win back the world title, their rivalry is clearly not finished.
On SmackDown, Rhodes tried to qualify for the men’s Elimination Chamber match. McIntyre attacked him during the show, hoping to stop him. But Rhodes survived the attack and successfully secured his place in the match. That means he could win the Chamber and earn a rematch at WrestleMania.
Things did not calm down after that.
On the February 20 episode of SmackDown, General Manager Nick Aldis claimed he had given McIntyre the night off. However, the champion had other plans. He bought a skybox to watch the show from above. But he did not stay there for long.
During the main event between Randy Orton and Aleister Black, McIntyre suddenly appeared. As Orton was close to winning, McIntyre smashed him in the face with the WWE Championship belt. Rhodes then chased McIntyre away, but the damage was already done. A stunned Orton was hit with Black’s finishing move, Black Mass, giving Black the victory.
After the match, actor and podcaster O’Shea Jackson Jr. questioned online why McIntyre attacked Orton. McIntyre’s response? He said he did it because it was funny.
That one answer perfectly shows his current mindset.
Tension with CM Punk and Roman Reigns
McIntyre’s problems are not limited to SmackDown.
On Raw, he has been dragged into the ongoing tension between CM Punk and Roman Reigns. During a promo segment, both Punk and Reigns dismissed McIntyre and did not treat him like a top champion.
In a later interview, McIntyre admitted that he was “legitimately upset” by their comments. For someone who has worked hard to reach the top again, being disrespected clearly did not sit well with him.
Now the WWE Champion feels targeted from all sides. Instead of one clear challenger, he has multiple superstars questioning his position.
The Men’s Elimination Chamber Match
Cody Rhodes is not the only one chasing McIntyre.
Here is the current lineup for the men’s Elimination Chamber match:
| Confirmed Participants | Brand |
|---|---|
| Cody Rhodes | SmackDown |
| Randy Orton | SmackDown |
| Trick Williams | SmackDown |
| LA Knight | SmackDown |
| Je’Von Evans | SmackDown |
On Raw, Jey Uso, El Grande Americano, and Bronson Reed will fight for the final spot.
Out of all the names, Orton is the only former Elimination Chamber winner. He won the match back in 2014 and went on to WrestleMania XXX as champion before losing to Daniel Bryan.
This year, whoever wins the Chamber will likely challenge McIntyre at WrestleMania. That means the champion must prepare for multiple possible opponents.
The Women’s Side and Liv Morgan’s Big Choice
The women’s division is just as intense.
On Raw, Raquel Rodriguez, Iyo Sky, and Kairi Sane are trying to qualify for the women’s Elimination Chamber match. They hope to join:
- Rhea Ripley
- Alexa Bliss
- Tiffany Stratton
- Kiana James
- Asuka
The winner of that match will earn a world title opportunity. However, the final decision depends on Liv Morgan, who won the Royal Rumble and will choose her WrestleMania opponent.
Many fans expect her to challenge Stephanie Vaquer after their heated confrontation. If that happens, Jade Cargill could end up facing the Elimination Chamber winner.
Why Drew McIntyre Is Loving the Chaos
Right now, Drew McIntyre is surrounded by challengers, critics, and rivals. Cody Rhodes wants redemption. Randy Orton wants revenge. CM Punk and Roman Reigns are questioning his status. And the Elimination Chamber winner could be anyone.
Instead of avoiding the chaos, McIntyre seems to be enjoying it. He attacked Orton simply because he felt like it. He interferes in matches without warning. He reacts strongly when disrespected.
That attitude makes him unpredictable — and dangerous.
