Drew McIntyre Explains Why He Attacked WWE Rival In Royal Rumble Match
Drew McIntyre had a very successful night at the WWE Royal Rumble in Riyadh.
The Undisputed WWE Championship was on the line at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh as Drew McIntyre defended his coveted championship against Sami Zayn, who won a 4-way match to earn the title shot.
During the WWE Title match, Zayn got some offense going, but then he did a somersault dive onto McIntyre on the floor, and Zayn suffered a back injury. Zayn kept on fighting, but it was an uphill battle as McIntyre targeted the back throughout the match. McIntyre would go on to hit a Powerbomb through the Arabic commentary and two Claymore Kicks followed to give McIntyre the victory.
Later in the night, McIntyre wasn’t in the Men’s Royal Rumble match, but his presence was felt when he hit the former WWE Champion Cody Rhodes with a Claymore Kick while Rhodes was trying to hang on to avoid an elimination. McIntyre’s Claymore Kick is what eliminated Rhodes from the match.
On the WWE Royal Rumble post-show, McIntyre was asked why he decided to cost his rival Rhodes the Men’s Royal Rumble match. McIntyre said he was okay with anybody winning the Men’s Royal Rumble, but he didn’t want Rhodes to win.
“Why not? I’m a good guy. I never lie. Listen to them, they get it. If you don’t wrong me, if you don’t screw me time and time again, I’ll be your best friend. But if you wrong me, if you constantly cost me the championship, get on my bad side, I’ll be the worst enemy you’ve ever had.
I heard someone say that Cody Rhodes is at his absolute best when he’s in chase mode, but I’m at my best when he’s holding the championship. Cody, I will make your life a living hell. I was fine with anyone winning the Rumble, just not you.” (H/T Ringsidenews)
PROBLEM. SOLVED.@DMcIntyreWWE just couldn't help himself… pic.twitter.com/fbVQGtVvvg
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2026
Drew McIntyre Calls Out Royal Rumble Winner Roman Reigns
Cody Rhodes will always be one of the greatest rivals of Drew McIntyre’s WWE career, but he’s not the only one, because the 2026 Royal Rumble winner, Roman Reigns, is also someone McIntyre has had issues with in the past.
As the Royal Rumble winner, Roman Reigns can go after McIntyre’s WWE Title at WrestleMania 42 or the World Heavyweight Title held by CM Punk. A confident McIntyre addressed Reigns on the Royal Rumble post-show by saying he’d welcome a challenge from Reigns at WrestleMania.
“I’m like Dr. Sam Beckett in Quantum Leap, if anyone remembers that. Putting right what once went wrong. The time’s I’ve been screwed, Cody Rhodes, I made it right. Roman Reigns? There’s a big enemy of Drew McIntyre.
His Bloodline made my life a living hell for so long, so if he wants to pick Drew McIntyre…on his own, I would destroy Roman Reigns. Go for it, Roman, pick me. Let’s main event WrestleMania, and I will drop your ass.”
Whether Reigns will choose to face McIntyre yet again or go after CM Punk’s World Heavyweight Title remains to be seen.