Drew McIntyre Tries To Screw Cody Rhodes Out Of WWE Elimination Chamber

After coming up short at the Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, and Jacob Fatu got one last chance on the February 13 episode of WWE SmackDown to qualify for the men’s Elimination Chamber match. While Rhodes was giving it all in the ring, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre tried to stop him from even getting that opportunity.

The night kicked off with the champion speaking backstage with Cathy Kelley. He made it clear he doesn’t want Rhodes anywhere near his title. McIntyre even said Jacob Fatu might have the best shot inside the Chamber, joking about Fatu’s past time “behind bars.” Still, he warned that if Fatu won, he would make him wish he were back there.

Before McIntyre could turn his attention to Sami Zayn, Zayn interrupted. Surprisingly, the Scotsman didn’t insult him. Instead, he brought up the night he won the WWE Championship and how Zayn once admitted he partly wanted him to succeed. Now, McIntyre claimed he hoped Zayn would win the Triple Threat qualifier.

The Triple Threat match between Rhodes, Fatu, and Zayn began. Rhodes and Fatu were knocked out of the ring early, giving Zayn the chance to fly over the ropes with a big dive. Fatu later took control and overpowered both opponents. He then hit Zayn with a huge Samoan Drop.

The momentum kept shifting. At one point, Rhodes and Zayn teamed up to hit a double superplex on Fatu, getting rid of him for a few minutes. Rhodes and Zayn fought for a while. The American Nightmare even tried a Cross Rhodes but Zayn reversed it with a pin attempt. After that, when Rhodes attempted a Cody Cutter, Zayn reversed it with a Blue Thunder Bomb and almost pinned Rhodes.

Fatu then returned to the ring and started overpowering both. Near the end, Fatu hit his big moonsault on Zayn and looked primed to win. But just then, the WWE champion suddenly rushed to the ring and hit Fatu with a Claymore Kick to stop the pin on Zayn.

Drew McIntyre Handed Sami Zayn a Win, But Sami Didn’t Want It Like That

He then powerbombed Fatu through the broadcast table and hit Rhodes with another Claymore in the ring. The Scottish Psychopath placed Zayn on top of Rhodes and left, hoping the referee would count the pin.

But Rhodes kicked out just in time. McIntyre returned angrily and attacked Rhodes. However, instead of letting McIntyre ease his work, Zayn hit him with a Helluva Kick.

Amid this chaos, Rhodes took advantage and hit CrossRhodes on Zayn and got the three-count, earning his spot in the Elimination Chamber. The move didn’t look like a true babyface move and could cause some tension between Zayn and Rhodes in the near future.

Drew McIntyre’s plan to stop Cody Rhodes didn’t work. Instead of keeping him away from WrestleMania, he may have just made their rivalry even more intense.