Drew McIntyre has captured the WWE Championship for a third time thanks to an inadvertent assist from a returning Jacob Fatu.
In the main event of the January 9 SmackDown, which aired live from Berlin, Germany, McIntyre emerged victorious in the 3 stages of hell match against Cody Rhodes, winning the steel cage match to obtain the 2-1 victory.
McIntyre made his way to the door of the cage, but a hooded figure stopped him from making his exit. After the masked figure revealed themselves to be Fatu, The Samoan Werewolf stormed into the cage to attack McInytre. As Rhodes tried to stop the attack, Fatu went after The American Nightmare. Taing advantage of the distraction, McIntyre crawled out of the cage through the door to win the match, escaping up the ramp with the title as the show went off the air.
McIntyre won the first fall after taking advantage of a distracted referee to hit a low blow and a Claymore to win the match. Rhodes evened up the score in the falls count anywhere match, hitting McIntyre with a Cross Rhodes through the announce table to get the pin.
The title change brings Rhodes’ second reign as champion to an end. Rhodes defeated John Cena at SummerSlam 2025 to win back the title.
When Did Drew McIntyre Last Hold The WWE Championship?
McIntyre held the title in 2020 and 2021 while there were no fans in attendance. Since live crowds have been welcomed back, the Scottish wrestler has vowed to win the top prize and celebrate in front of fans. McIntyre did win the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40, but was the victim of a Damian Priest Money in the Bank cash-in, ending his reign at just over 5 minutes.
Featured image: WWE
