Drew McIntyre’s WWE Return Must Lead To This Major Booking Decision

On the July 4 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Drew McIntyre made his surprising return to WWE programming, after previously being ruled out of action due to injuries. When looking ahead to his upcoming WWE run, there is one key booking decision that the company must make. McIntyre is undoubtedly one of WWE’s most talented and important stars, and it is about time that he gets the recognition he deserves. Despite lots of other big names in the mix right now, it is high time that WWE makes this one important decision to boost the career and legacy of McIntyre. It’s time for Drew McIntyre to become the Undisputed WWE Champion.

Drew McIntyre Returned On WWE SmackDown

McIntyre Confronted Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton

• McIntyre interrupted a segment involving Rhodes and Orton
• He insulted both men on SmackDown
• Orton hit him with an RKO

Following on from their King of the Ring finals match at Night of Champions 2025, old friends Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton came face to face on Friday Night SmackDown. Orton was saddened by his defeat, but used his time to push Rhodes on, giving him motivation to go ahead and defeat Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena at SummerSlam. The pair shared an emotional exchange – something that Drew McIntyre could not stand to see any longer.

Drew McIntyre emerged for an unannounced appearance, making his shock return to WWE programming. McIntyre had last been seen at Saturday Night’s Main Event in May, losing decisively to Damian Priest in a Steel Cage match to close out their feud. It was reported at the time by PWInsider that McIntyre was set to be off WWE for an “extended period of time”, so he is back sooner than many expected. McIntyre took issue with the emotional and cheesy words shared between Rhodes and Orton, though he got an RKO for his trouble, setting up a match with Orton for Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12.

Drew McIntyre Needs To Feud With Cody Rhodes

• McIntyre and Rhodes should be a long-term rivalry
• They need to have a multi-match series
• They should battle over the WWE Championship

Although Drew McIntyre is set to do battle with Randy Orton, this should be nothing but a precursor for another feud… against Cody Rhodes. Ever since Rhodes returned to WWE in 2022, he and McIntyre have yet to have a proper storyline together, and it is high time that WWE goes full steam ahead on it. Rhodes is WWE’s number one babyface right now, and McIntyre is arguably the best heel on the WWE roster, so putting them together feels like a no-brainer, and it could be a decision that leads them to being all-time great rivals with one another.

Cody Rhodes should beat John Cena for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam, allowing Cena to eventually turn babyface and spend some of his retirement tour outside the WWE Title picture, bringing the gold back to the face of WWE. Rhodes and McIntyre should go to war at several premium live events, engaging in a multi-match series over the WWE Title, perhaps even leading to a massive Hell in a Cell blow-off down the line. McIntyre deserves to be in the main event scene, and this feud could get him back where he belongs. Not only should WWE pull the trigger on this, they should also pull the trigger on a major booking call.

Drew McIntyre Must Defeat Cody Rhodes For The WWE Championship

• McIntyre’s last world title reign lasted minutes
• He has yet to have a proper reign in front of fans
• His return must lead to WWE booking him as champion

Not only should Drew McIntyre feud with Cody Rhodes, but he should also beat him. Drew McIntyre’s last world title reign ended just minutes after it began at WrestleMania 40, and prior to that, his previous reign ended in 2021 when fans were still banned from arenas due to the pandemic. For someone who has been as consistent and high in quality as McIntyre, he needs another reign as WWE Champion, and soon. After spending a whole year as WWE Champion, it would not hurt Rhodes to have a much shorter reign this time around, dropping the gold to McIntyre and giving him a chance to have a proper run as champion in front of fans.

With the right build, McIntyre could even carry the WWE Championship into WrestleMania for someone like Rhodes, CM Punk, or Sami Zayn to overcome him and win in a big babyface victory. It is about time WWE rewarded McIntyre’s hard work with a long-overdue run as WWE Champion. This latest return needs to see a change in his fortunes, and to finally give him the booking and respect he deserves.