Former WWE Champion Joins WWE SmackDown
Drew McIntyre joins SmackDown roster and enters Elimination Chamber qualifying match against LA Knight and Jimmy Uso for February 7 episode.
WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis announced Drew McIntyre’s official move to the blue brand on social media. McIntyre will face LA Knight and Jimmy Uso in an Elimination Chamber qualifying triple threat match.
The February 7 edition of SmackDown in Memphis will also feature two Women’s Elimination Chamber qualifying matches. Alexa Bliss takes on Candice LeRae, while Bianca Belair meets Piper Niven.
Royal Rumble winners Jey Uso and Charlotte Flair will also make appearances on the show.
BREAKING NEWS: @DMcIntyreWWE is now officially a member of the SmackDown roster, and will be competing in an #WWEChamber Triple Threat Qualifying Match against @RealLAKnight and Jimmy Uso TONIGHT in Memphis!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/3DezVPMSed
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2025
Post-Royal Rumble Development
According to PWInsider Elite, McIntyre left the Royal Rumble venue early following his elimination by Damian Priest. Sources present backstage report McIntyre voiced frustration, particularly about match sequence changes. The former WWE Champion did not appear on the following episode of Raw.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports WWE had plans to feature McIntyre in a program with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes on SmackDown before these developments. The creative direction for McIntyre remains in flux following the Royal Rumble situation.
