Overview
- Drew McIntyre captured the Undisputed WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes on the January 9 SmackDown after Jacob Fatu’s return affected the finish.
- Yahoo Sports reports a tournament begins on SmackDown to crown a challenger who will face McIntyre at the Royal Rumble on January 31 in Riyadh.
- Multiple outlets citing the Wrestling Observer Newsletter say Roman Reigns is the “odd man out” of the title picture for now and is expected to return at the Royal Rumble, where his direction should become clearer.
- Reporting attributes the shift to Triple H’s push for more unpredictability and to concerns over fan fatigue from a third straight Rhodes–Reigns WrestleMania, with Rhodes and McIntyre both said to have backed the title change.
- Current ideas discussed for WrestleMania’s WWE Title match include McIntyre vs. Rhodes or a triple threat adding Jacob Fatu, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.