Drew McIntyre’s WWE Walkout and Subsequent Actions
The March 13 episode of WWE SmackDown was marked by significant drama as Drew McIntyre reacted strongly to losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes the previous week. The events unfolded at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and included a walkout, accusations, and a surprising return later in the indicate.
Initial Walkout and Accusations
McIntyre opened SmackDown by essentially taking the show hostage, demanding that SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis “fix” the situation regarding the championship loss. He accused Aldis of being a “corporate stooge” and Rhodes of being a “corporate champion,” alleging that Aldis intentionally favored Rhodes ahead of WrestleMania 42. McIntyre voiced his frustration with the circumstances surrounding his title loss, claiming they were unfair.
Confrontation with Nick Aldis and Jacob Fatu
Aldis refuted McIntyre’s claims, stating there was nothing to correct and pointing to McIntyre’s own actions and interference in Rhodes’ previous matches. The exchange escalated, with McIntyre accusing Aldis of protecting Rhodes. Before the situation could further escalate, Jacob Fatu entered the ring, taking credit for McIntyre’s title loss. Fatu asserted that he was the one who “screwed” McIntyre, stating he was simply restoring the championship to its rightful place.
Surprise Return and Future Match
Following his initial walkout, McIntyre surprisingly returned during the third hour of SmackDown. He interfered in Jacob Fatu’s match against Trick Williams, attacking Fatu with a Claymore kick and glancing towards the WrestleMania sign. In response to this, Aldis announced a match between McIntyre and Fatu for the following week’s SmackDown on March 20.
Backstage Heat
Prior to the events on SmackDown, unseen footage revealed a heated backstage argument between McIntyre and Aldis, as reported by WWE on social media (WWE).
This series of events has left fans questioning McIntyre’s storyline heading into WrestleMania.