Drew McIntyre Ready To Turn On Former WWE Partner

Drew McIntyre set his sights on the Undisputed WWE Championship.

On August 8, 2025 episode of SmackDown, The Scottish Warrior blindsided Cody Rhodes after a tag team main event. He delivered a devastating Claymore kick that sent Rhodes crashing into the announce table, splintering it. The attack was brutal and calculated, leaving Rhodes injured and officials helping him to the back. McIntyre later shared footage, stating he’d always wanted The American Nightmare to win the title, so he could take it from him.

In a new interview on the Huge Pop podcast, The Scottish Psychopath made his motives crystal clear. He acknowledged his history with Cody Rhodes, a former partner and fellow “chosen one,” but insisted his loyalty had its limits. Drew McIntyre said he will not hesitate to turn on Rhodes because his sole focus is regaining the WWE Title, even if it means betraying a former friend.

Their partnership originated in 2010 when they won the Tag Team Championship at Night of Champions. Since then, paths diverged, but the respect and tension have remained.

I’m going to go forward and get myself back on track, finally, to that WWE Championship. You mean, yes, taking off the freaking rails… I just keep going for that title, and then I keep getting taken right off here and off here and off here. All I want is my precious.

To get that title run in front of live fans back on SmackDown where it’s a WWE Championship, the title I helped during the pandemic the entire time, the title I won, the guy that’s got, it’s the one I want to beat for Cody Rhodes, 20 year you know, relationship with him and I former tag team champions as kids, former chosen ones, I guess for the future, John, Chosen Ones had to choose ourselves.

But different destinations we’re at right now, where I open my eyes to the truth about so many things that he’s so desperate to be like, so desperate for attention. I wonder if they want to take the title off him and teach him the hard way the reality of the wrestling world, the reality of the world, because he’s still in the mindset I was in in 2020. So I’m excited possibly getting my hands on him.

Drew McIntyre Addresses His Attack On Cody Rhodes

In his SmackDown promo on August 15, Drew McIntyre accused both WWE and Cody Rhodes of bending the truth regarding the events of the previous week. He claimed WWE was hiding Rhodes’ medical status to manufacture drama. He even insisted Rhodes had provoked the attack and was the real aggressor, defending his heinous actions.

Drew McIntyre positioned himself as a man forced to act in self-defense, arguing that Rhodes wanted to put him through the table first. He was adamant that his response was justified and warned that provocation would lead to violence, making it clear he’s the true “nightmare” Rhodes must now face.

H/T to WrestlingNews.co