The 2026 Royal Rumble premium live event was one of the most unpredictable and dramatic pay-per-views in recent memory, with several shocking moments that left fans stunned. Among the most shocking was Drew McIntyre’s betrayal of Cody Rhodes, who had been building momentum as a top contender for the WWE Championship. In a recent interview, McIntyre opened up about his motivations for screwing over Rhodes, and why he felt it was necessary to take such a drastic step.
A Betrayal Born Out of Necessity
According to McIntyre, his decision to betray Rhodes was not taken lightly, but rather out of a sense of necessity. “I’ve been in this business long enough to know that sometimes you have to make tough decisions to get ahead,” McIntyre said. “I’ve been passed over for opportunities time and time again, and I’ve been watching Cody Rhodes reap the benefits of those same opportunities. I felt like it was time for me to take matters into my own hands and do whatever it took to get to the top.”
McIntyre went on to explain that he had been building a rivalry with Rhodes for months, and had been playing a long game to get inside his head and gain the upper hand. “I knew that if I could just get Cody to drop his guard for one second, I could take advantage of him and make a name for myself,” McIntyre said. “And that’s exactly what I did. I played on his emotions, and used him to get to the spot I wanted to be in.”
A Rift in the Locker Room
The aftermath of the Royal Rumble has seen a rift form in the WWE locker room, with many of Rhodes’ allies coming to his defense and expressing their outrage at McIntyre’s betrayal. According to a source close to the situation, the tension between McIntyre and Rhodes’ allies has been palpable, with many feeling that McIntyre’s actions were a slap in the face to the entire locker room.
“Drew’s actions have caused a lot of tension in the locker room,” the source said. “A lot of guys are upset with him, and feel like he’s broken the trust of the entire locker room. It’s going to take a lot for Drew to repair that damage, and it’s unclear if he can do it.”
The Consequences of McIntyre’s Actions
The fallout from McIntyre’s betrayal has seen Rhodes take a significant step back in the WWE hierarchy, and it remains to be seen how he will bounce back from this setback. According to a WWE insider, Rhodes is taking the situation very seriously, and is already working on a plan to take down McIntyre and reclaim his momentum.
“Cody is not one to give up easily,” the insider said. “He’s already started working on a plan to take down Drew, and he’s determined to come out on top. It’s going to be a long and bloody road, but Cody is ready for the challenge.”
McIntyre’s Future in the WWE
As the aftermath of the Royal Rumble continues to unfold, many are wondering what the future holds for McIntyre. According to a source close to McIntyre, he is feeling confident about his decision, and is ready to take on the consequences of his actions.
“Drew is feeling good about what he did,” the source said. “He knows it was a risk, but he’s willing to take that risk to get ahead. He’s already started working on new storylines, and is excited to see where this new chapter in his career takes him.”
Conclusion
The 2026 Royal Rumble will be remembered for years to come, and Drew McIntyre’s betrayal of Cody Rhodes is just one of the many shocking moments that made this pay-per-view so unforgettable. As the fallout continues to unfold, one thing is clear: McIntyre’s actions have set off a chain reaction that will have far-reaching consequences for the WWE hierarchy. Only time will tell how this story will play out, but one thing is for sure: the road ahead is going to be a wild and unpredictable ride.