Drew McIntyre Keeps His Promise as WWE Title Finally Comes Home to Scotland After Cody Rhodes’ Stunning Loss
Drew McIntyre’s shocking Undisputed WWE Championship win over Cody Rhodes was more than just a major title change—it was the emotional payoff to a promise years in the making.
On the January 9 episode of WWE SmackDown, McIntyre stunned fans worldwide by dethroning Cody Rhodes and ending his second championship reign at 159 days. The victory instantly reshaped WWE’s main event picture, but the most powerful moment came after the cameras stopped rolling.
Just one night later, McIntyre returned to Scotland as WWE Champion for the first time, appearing at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro Arena to a thunderous hero’s welcome. The crowd erupted as their hometown star stood before them holding the company’s top prize — a moment that had long felt unfinished.
Addressing the fans, McIntyre reflected on the journey that led him there. For years, he had promised to win the WWE Championship and bring it home to Scotland. While he technically achieved that goal during the pandemic era, those reigns came without live crowds, leaving a lingering sense of disappointment.
McIntyre openly acknowledged the setbacks, controversies, and frustrations that shaped his career. He admitted there were times he felt overlooked or “screwed over,” but credited his relentless belief and trademark “Scottish mentality” for pushing him forward.
This SmackDown victory changed everything. For the first time in his career, McIntyre walked out in front of a packed arena as the undisputed face of WWE—and did it on home soil.
Unlike his previous reigns, which were either held behind closed doors or abruptly ended, this championship moment had no interruptions. No empty arena. No sudden cash-in. Just Drew McIntyre, standing tall as WWE Champion, soaking in the moment with his people.
After years of waiting, Scotland finally saw its promise fulfilled — and Drew McIntyre finally brought the WWE Championship home.
