POWER RANKINGS: EVALUATING THE SIX SUPERSTARS MOST LIKELY TO DETHRONE DREW MCINTYRE NEXT

Drew McIntyre shocks the world by defeating Cody Rhodes. See the 6 potential challengers and Roman Reigns' rumoured return plans.

Power Rankings: Evaluating the six superstars most likely to dethrone Drew McIntyre next
Drew McIntyre captures the WWE Undisputed Title

This week on WWE SmackDown, something you don’t see every day happened. Drew McIntyre beat Cody Rhodes in a “three-stages-of-hell” match and took the WWE undisputed title. Not only that, it happened outside of the U.S., which is pretty rare for a title change, especially these days.

Rhodes’ second run as champ ends after five months. It’s a big shift, and word is both he and McIntyre wanted it, with WrestleMania 42 on the horizon. Now, SmackDown’s main title scene just opened up for a lot of wild storytelling. So, who’s lining up to challenge the new champ? Let’s run through six options.

Jacob Fatu

McIntyre owes his win, at least in part, to Jacob Fatu’s unexpected return. Fatu stormed back in, and instead of taking out McIntyre as he planned, his anger ended up costing Rhodes the match during the cage segment. The twist? McIntyre is the guy who supposedly put Fatu out of action for months. Picking up their unfinished business feels almost guaranteed for McIntyre’s first title defence.

Damian Priest

Last week, Damian Priest wrapped up a brutal feud with Aleister Black in an ambulance match, and he made it clear he wants the WWE title next. He and McIntyre already beat each other up in a long, violent rivalry last year. Running it back would make sense, especially since WWE’s been rebuilding Priest’s momentum lately.

Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn, always a crowd favourite, just announced he’s coming for SmackDown’s top prize. The next few shows are set for Montreal and Saudi Arabia—two places where Zayn gets huge reactions. Don’t be shocked if he ends up as the next No. 1 contender and finally gets a shot at his first world title.

Cody Rhodes

Rhodes lost the belt under some pretty questionable circumstances, so a rematch with McIntyre is on the table. But let’s be real, fans have watched these two go at it a lot recently. That’s probably why another one-on-one isn’t likely right now. Instead, Rhodes could get thrown into a multi-man title match to keep him in the mix.

Randy Orton

Randy Orton—legend, part-timer, and always in the hunt—has his eyes on the title too. He had some big matches in 2025, including a title shot against John Cena and a spot in the King of the Ring final. Orton and McIntyre have a history, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see Orton challenge the new champ soon.

And then there’s Roman Reigns. He’s made plenty of Raw appearances this year, but still shows up as a SmackDown guy on WWE’s site. Rumours say his contract’s up after WrestleMania 42, so he could show up and go after McIntyre before then. That would set the stage for his return to the top—and maybe another showdown with Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania in Las Vegas.

BEYOND GUNTHER: ANALYZING THE FOUR POWERHOUSES DESTINED TO LEAD WWE RAW NEXT YEAR

Discover the four WWE superstars, including Bron Breakker and Jacob Fatu, ready to lead Monday Night Raw into a post-Gunther era.

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Gunther’s era is nearing transition as young stars Jacob Fatu and Femi rise - Photo Credit: WWE via Getty Images

For the last few years, WWE Raw has pretty much belonged to Gunther. He dominated by sticking to his guns, hard work, no-nonsense wrestling, and that old-school fire. When his music hits, you can feel the tone shift. It’s hard to find that kind of presence. You don’t just swap him out and expect things to stay the same.

But that’s the thing about Raw. It never just sits still. The show keeps turning over stories' twists, rosters shuffle, and sooner or later, new faces get their shot. If there ever comes a time to find someone new to lead the red brand, there are four guys who look ready to take over. Each brings something different to the table, and you’d feel it right away.

Jacob Fatu could steal the spotlight.

Jacob Fatu’s the first name that jumps out. When he hits the ring, you notice. He just has that look, as he belongs in the big moments. The guy’s got a rare mix of speed and brute power; other heavyweights struggle to keep up.

Lately, he’s been right in the thick of things, getting involved with some of the top storylines on Raw and even rubbing shoulders with Roman Reigns. That’s not by accident; management doesn’t give you those spots unless they see something real. It means they’re thinking long-term with Fatu.

What makes him stand out is the energy. He’s this controlled, dangerous wrecking ball, but he knows when to push and when to hold back. If Raw needs a new anchor, someone to build around in title matches and feuds, Fatu slides into that role and makes it feel natural.

He’s not a finished product yet, and that’s a good thing. There’s room for him to grow, tell deeper stories, and really connect with the crowd. He’s got that spark fans latch onto because he never looks fake or forced.

Oba Femi brings something new.

Then there’s Oba Femi. For a new guy, he commands respect. From the jump, he’s looked like a real contender, strong in the ring, confident on the mic, and totally believable even against the veterans.

What sets Femi apart is his calm. A lot of new stars go for flash, but he’s got real presence. He can stand toe-to-toe with anyone in the locker room, which is huge if you’re thinking about someone fresh at the top.

Give him a real push and let him be his own kind of dominant. Don’t make him copy Gunther; let him be the force that shakes things up. If WWE puts energy into him, fans will feel it. They tend to back new stars who earn it.

Bron Breakker is the natural choice.

Number one, though? That’s Bron Breakker. He just checks all the boxes: famous family, athletic as hell, and already tested in big matches. If you want someone ready right now, it’s him.

He’s shown he can handle main event pressure. He hits hard, he moves quickly, and he’s comfortable being the centre of attention. When he’s on TV, the pace just picks up. People pay attention.

And people already know him. They’ve seen him grind through NXT and now main roster battles. That history helps. If he ends up carrying Raw after Gunther, it’ll feel right.

Replacing someone like Gunther won’t be easy. People will compare. Expectations will be sky-high. But Breakker has the charisma, the intensity, and the experience to pull it off.

In the end, Raw works best when it changes without losing its soul. Whether it’s Fatu’s wild energy, Femi’s fresh vibe, or Breakker’s complete package, these guys are ready for the spotlight.

When the time comes to pass the torch, Raw won’t shrink. It’ll just reinvent itself once again with these names leading the charge.

RANDY ORTON RETURNS TO RAW: THE VIPER PLANS TO FINISH WHAT HE STARTED AGAINST CODY

Randy Orton is back on Raw after WrestleMania 42. We break down the fallout of his attack on the injured Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes.

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Randy Orton is rewriting his legacy as WWE’s top villain - Photo Credit: WWE

So, Randy Orton’s next steps in WWE aren’t a secret anymore.

After his big match with Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42, fans wondered, “What now?” Sure, Orton lost, and that's put his championship chase on pause, but he's still sticking around at the main event level. In fact, that loss might be what kicks off something fresh for him.

WWE’s already made plans. Orton’s set to appear on Raw right after WrestleMania, and the company’s pushing his return pretty hard. They're not easing him back in; they're setting up something important, and it could shape where his story goes next.

That Raw is probably where Orton deals with the fallout from Vegas. He showed he’s still fired up, and that attitude is why WWE keeps trusting him in big spots. Word is, his segment on Raw will reveal whether he’s sticking with Rhodes as his target or shifting to a new rivalry.

There’s more going on, too. Rhodes got injured over WrestleMania weekend, which throws the championship picture into chaos. Nobody’s declared the title vacant yet, but WWE needs veterans to steady things. Orton’s timing here feels calculated, not random.

If Rhodes is out for a while, WWE’s got decisions to make, and Orton’s a natural part of the conversation. He’s got credibility, star power, and experience as champ. Even without the belt, he’s always central when things get messy.

But WWE isn’t tossing him back into a title shot right away. They’re trying to balance keeping things interesting in the short term while planning for the long haul. Instead of running it all back again, they might stretch the feud or have Orton spark a bigger storyline with multiple contenders.

Another thing Orton might not wrestle every week anymore. People close to it say WWE’s open to tweaking his schedule, focusing him on big episodes and premium events. That keeps him healthier and makes his appearances feel special.

This approach has worked for legends before. Less is more: smaller doses, bigger impact. For Orton, that means fewer routine matches and more meaningful rivalries. WWE sees him more as a major attraction now, not just another face in the weekly lineup.

On top of all this, Orton himself shut down retirement rumours. He says he’s still got years left on his WWE deal, so this isn’t some farewell tour. WrestleMania looks more like a turning point than an ending. He’s not stepping away; he’s shifting gears and setting up for what’s next. WWE’s counting on him to anchor things and help both rising stars and established names.

Looking ahead, Backlash is already getting mentioned as a spot where Orton could show up big. No official matches yet, but insiders say he’ll be a key player at upcoming big events. With the championship picture up in the air, WWE knows Orton draws eyes.

There’s chatter about throwing him into a multi-man storyline, too. That way, WWE keeps things fresh, avoids repeating the Rhodes feud too soon, and gives Orton the chance to take on different roles: main event, supporting, stirring the pot.

Right now, all eyes are on Raw. That’ll show whether he wants more with Rhodes or pivots to something new. With the title situation uncertain, whatever Orton says is going to matter. WWE doesn’t hype a return like this for nothing.

Expect something that feels important, a segment with impact, not just filler. Orton shines when the tension’s high and the next move isn’t obvious.

Bottom line: Orton’s not quietly fading out. WWE is positioning him for a run that could define the late stage of his career. He’s got the Raw return, championship drama, and a more flexible schedule, all signs that his presence is as crucial as ever.

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