Backstage News on How Drew McIntyre’s WWE Title Win Came Together – As noted, Drew McIntyre captured the WWE Championship for the second time in his career by defeating Cody Rhodes on the January 9 episode of WWE SmackDown from Berlin, Germany. While the title change shocked many fans, new details suggest the decision was finalized much later than expected.

According to BodySlam+, which first reported earlier in the day that there was an internal push for McIntyre to win the championship, the title change was not the original plan heading into the show. Instead, the report states that both McIntyre and Rhodes personally pitched for the championship to change hands, similar to what happened ahead of Wrestlepalooza back in September. At that time, WWE ultimately chose to keep the title on Rhodes. This time, however, the company felt the timing was right to move forward with McIntyre as champion.

One major factor in the decision was the environment in Berlin. McIntyre wrestled in front of a heavily pro-McIntyre crowd, and sources indicate that WWE felt the moment called for a significant payoff. That led to WWE pulling the trigger on the title change during the Three Stages of Hell match, which was further complicated by the shocking return of Jacob Fatu late in the bout.

Following the title change, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis announced that the search for a new number one contender would begin immediately. Four qualifying matches are scheduled for next week’s episode of WWE SmackDown, which will take place in London, England. The winners of those matches will advance to a fatal four-way bout at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24 in Montreal. The winner of that match will go on to challenge Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event in Riyadh on January 31.

The qualifying matches announced for London are Randy Orton vs. The Miz, Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams, Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov.

With McIntyre now firmly positioned as champion, Cody Rhodes finds himself on the outside of the title picture for the time being, marking a significant shift on the SmackDown landscape heading into Royal Rumble season.

Backstage News on How Drew McIntyre’s WWE Title Win Came Together

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