Drew McIntyre Set for First Undisputed WWE Title Defense After SmackDown Victory

Drew McIntyre isn’t wasting any time getting back in the ring as champion.

McIntyre will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura at a WWE Live Event in Glasgow, Scotland on January 10, 2026, as part of the Road to Royal Rumble tour. The Glasgow match will mark McIntyre’s first title defense in his fourth world title reign—and doing it in front of a Scottish crowd adds major emotional weight.

This follows McIntyre’s brutal Three Stages of Hell victory over Cody Rhodes on the January 9 episode of SmackDown. The title change itself wasn’t just a fan-pleaser—it was also a move heavily endorsed within WWE. According to Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful’s post-SmackDown show:

“A lot of people felt like he needed to win this title match. They felt that, in order to take him seriously as a top guy moving forward, he needed to win it.”

The chaotic ending to the match in Berlin’s Uber Arena saw Jacob Fatu return, interfere in the steel cage portion of the match, and unwittingly assist McIntyre in escaping with the win.

Now, with McIntyre scheduled to face Nakamura just one day later in Glasgow, WWE is making it clear they’re not waiting until Royal Rumble to deliver high-stakes title matches. And this live event could serve as a serious temperature check for how WWE’s new direction is landing with the live crowd—especially in McIntyre’s backyard.

Do you think Drew McIntyre will walk out of Glasgow with the title still around his waist? Or will Shinsuke Nakamura spoil the homecoming? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know who you’re rooting for.