Drew McIntyre says he is ready to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, just not against Cody Rhodes.
With Roman Reigns choosing to challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Title, the focus now shifts to McIntyre’s championship. The next challenger will be decided inside the Elimination Chamber on February 28.
Rhodes is already confirmed for the Chamber match, along with Randy Orton, LA Knight, Je’Von Evans, and two more competitors yet to be announced.
Drew McIntyre Says a WrestleMania 42 Match With Cody Rhodes Isn’t Needed
While speaking on Busted Open Radio with Dave LaGreca and Bully Ray, McIntyre was asked who he would like to face at WrestleMania. His answer was, “Anybody but Cody Rhodes.”
McIntyre said their past matches didn’t sit right with him. He believes referees favored Rhodes in their first two meetings. He also pushed back on fans who said Jacob Fatu helped him win their steel cage match.
“I’m concerned, considering how the first two matches went and the referees bailing him out. For the Cage match, I won. And obviously people lose it ‘because of Jacob’. Was it though? I haven’t said this because I don’t have to, but Jacob said it himself, ‘Wasn’t Drew on his way out of the Cage when I got there?’ I didn’t just overcome Cody, I overcame Cody and Jacob, I can’t let the title back on Cody where he’s protected again and back in the golden boy spot,” McIntyre said.
The WWE champion says he has changed the vibe on SmackDown since winning the championship. Instead of being all smiles and handshakes, he wants the show to feel intense and unpredictable.
“I liberated this title for everybody, but mostly me, because I believe I’m the man that needs to carry it forward into the future. To make SmackDown feel the way it feels right now, not sunshine, lollipops, shaking hands and kissing babies. Unpredictable and dangerous, the way it should be,” he said.
Undisputed WWE Champion @DMcIntyreWWE is down to face ANYONE at #WrestleMania, BUT… pic.twitter.com/R2mw7Yvl3I
— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) February 19, 2026
However, he may not get his wish. If Rhodes wins the Elimination Chamber, McIntyre could be forced to face the one opponent he is trying to avoid.
Read More: WWE’s Joe Hendry Says Drew McIntyre Was ‘Our Undertaker’ During Indie Days
