Drew McIntyre is opening up about losing the Undisputed WWE Championship — and while he’s not hiding his disappointment, he’s also making it clear he understands the bigger picture.
After Cody Rhodes defeated him for the title on the March 6, 2026 episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown, backlash poured in online. Many questioned the booking decision, with some arguing McIntyre was once again positioned as a short-term champion. But speaking to Chris Van Vliet on April 2, McIntyre made it clear he understands both sides of the reaction.
When asked directly about fans feeling disappointed on his behalf and labeling him a “transitional champion,” McIntyre acknowledged the sentiment — while also pointing out that those decisions ultimately aren’t his to make.
“I don’t make those decisions. Triple H is in charge for a reason. But the fans getting disappointed on my behalf — I appreciate it. Sometimes I am equally as personally disappointed.”
He then went deeper into how WWE’s creative process works behind the scenes, explaining that while he voices his opinions, there’s a collaborative structure in place — and he’s consistently kept informed about the direction of his character.
“I hope to see the future and have personal conversations with those in charge and say my feelings, and I’m always told, ‘Drew, here’s what we’re thinking.’ Then I’ll say, ‘Here’s what I’m thinking.’ We go in that direction, and I give my opinion, and that’s where we go.”
McIntyre also directly addressed the “transitional champion” label, pushing back against the idea that his title reign lacked meaning. Instead, he framed it as one chapter in a longer story — even if it didn’t play out the way he personally wanted.
“The ‘transitional’ thing people are saying, I don’t believe that to be the case. I think it’s another part of Drew McIntyre’s story. Personally, it sucks. I would love to walk into WrestleMania with the title. Whatever was supposed to happen, it would have been very cool.”
From there, McIntyre shifted focus to the bigger picture — specifically how WWE structures its biggest show of the year. With WrestleMania 42 set as a two-night event, he explained that the company’s goal is to build multiple high-stakes matches rather than center everything around one title scenario.
“But things happen in the bigger picture. As I say over and over, as a company — with WrestleMania being two days — we need big matches, we need surprises. And this gave us two giant matches.”
He then connected that philosophy directly to his own storyline, explaining how his actions — including targeting Cody — logically set up his next major feud.
“For Drew McIntyre, you know, screwing over Cody — it makes perfect sense to set up the match for Jacob Fatu, and we get this crazy match: Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu. People see it and go, ‘Wow, Drew was screwed… but did he deserve it?’”
Finally, Drew McIntyre addressed fan support head-on, making it clear he values the reaction — but also trusts the direction things are heading unless proven otherwise.
“And Cody and Randy get their match over there. I appreciate the fans, and if anything doesn’t work out and I’m sitting there at one point thinking, ‘Oh my God, no one cares, the story didn’t make sense,’ I’ll be the first one to point it out. But that hasn’t happened so far.”
While debate continues over the title change and WWE’s booking decisions, McIntyre’s comments show he’s not just reacting to the loss — he’s looking at how it fits into the larger WrestleMania landscape. And with Jacob Fatu set to face him in an Unsanctioned match at WrestleMania 42, McIntyre’s next chapter is already in motion.
Do you agree with Drew McIntyre’s take that the bigger picture justifies the title change, or should he have gone into WrestleMania as champion? Drop your thoughts below and leave your feedback.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.