Solo Sikoa of The Bloodline alongside Tama Tonga (center) and Tonga Loa (left).

Fantasy Booking Drew McIntyre As Undisputed WWE Champion

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Andre Castillo | Last updated Jan 11, 2026 1:48 PM ET

Drew McIntyre has finally done it again. On Friday’s episode of SmackDown, “The Scottish Psychopath” defeated Cody Rhodes to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship in a Three Stages of Hell Match.

It was not easy by any means. After McIntyre secured the first fall in a regular match, Rhodes tied the score in a Falls Coutn Anywhere match. This set the stage for a heated decider inside a steel cage, which was decided when Jacob Fatu made his return from injury.

“The Samoan Werewolf” initally attacked McIntyre, but when Rhodes tried to separate the two men, he was also attacked. This allowed McIntyre to crawl to the door and escape, ending Rhodes’ reign in the process.

Now, the question looms: what is next for the new champion?

Solo Sikoa: A Ghost Of The Past

Next week’s episode of SmackDown will be dominated by a tournament to crown a no. 1 contender. The four match winners will then meet in a fatal-four way, with the winner challenging for the title at the Royal Rumble.

Given what transpired, here is a bold take: Solo Sikoa should win the thing. McIntyre knows “The New Tribal Chief” very well: he was the man who cost the Scot a title match against Roman Reigns in 2022. That whas where his hatred of the Bloodline began

Heel vs. heel matches seldom work because of the prospect of both men being booed, but the history between the two men works in their favor. Of course, McIntyre will win that match, possibly thanks to the Wyatt Sicks, who are currently feuding with Sikoa’s MFT stable.

Jacob Fatu: Vengeance

Feb 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Jacob Fatu during the Men’s Royal Rumble match during the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Before he was taken off TV for a dental procedure, Fatu was having a feud with McIntyre. Now that he is back, he should enter a hot program.

That starts with Rhodes, who will be unhappy with how his reign ended. He wanted to retain his title decisively, but Fatu had to ruin that. After the Royal Rumble, those two should be among the participants in an Elimination Chamber match.

Here is another bold take: Fatu wins. What comes next is anyone’s guess. Maybe Rhodes invokes his rematch clause and turns the entire thing into a triple threat. Fatu can then get the big win. Rhodes reclaims the title, even possibly by turning heel midmatch. Or McIntyre exploits the enmity between Rhodes and Fatu and steals the win, then holds until SummerSlam.

End Of My Drew McIntyre Rant

Saturday’s result is somewhat surprising, as McIntyre had come up short multiple times against Rhodes. There was genuine worry that the 3 Stages of Hell match would represent his last major title shot in a while.

Yet here he is, sleeping with the belt and imagining himself laughing at the fans. Not bad for someone whose last title reign was more than five years ago…

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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