• SmackDown Star Was Pushing To Become WWE Champion
At Royal Rumble 2026, Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship. This was Drew’s first televised title defense after become champion on the January 9th episode of SmackDown.
The story heading into the match was that Drew was 11-0 against Sami, but Sami had never lost in Saudi Arabia. Now, Drew is 12-0 against Sami and Zayn’s undefeated streak in Saudi Arabia is over.
According to the Wrestling Observer, Sami was pushing to win this match and becoming the new Undisputed WWE Champion on the Road to WrestleMania 42.
However, WWE’s Chief Content Officer Triple H thought this wasn’t the right decision and decided to book McIntyre to retain.
• Another Update On AJ Lee’s WrestleMania 42 Match
AJ Lee was expected internally to be involved in the Women’s Royal Rumble match, but plans ultimately fell apart for reasons that remain unclear.
The situation was discussed on WrestleVotes Live on Fightful Select, where it was noted that AJ Lee had been lined up for the event before her absence became apparent. While her name had been circulating internally ahead of the show, she did not end up appearing in the Women’s Royal Rumble match.
As previously noted, AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch is scheduled to take place at WrestleMania 42. This will be AJ’s first singles match in 11 years.
In an update from the Wrestling Observer, AJ vs. Becky is going to be for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Becky recently won the title back from Maxxine Dupri.
• Former WWE Champion Issues Statement After Confirming Retirement
During an interview on Compas On The Beat, Big E confirmed that he’s retired from in-ring competition:
“I’m content. In wrestling, they always say ‘never say never’, but right now I’m retired, and that for me is it. I’m focused on other things right now.”
Big E issued the following statement on X later:
“I entered the pro wrestling industry at age 23 with an injury history that included a Torn Left ACL, Torn Right ACL, Torn Left Pec, and a Broken Right Patella.
At 39, I’m well aware, that I will one day have to pay the piper. I’ve put my body through a lot. And somehow, I feel great. I don’t battle daily pain. I’m able to function normally and healthfully.
I’m eternally grateful for the wonderful career I stumbled into. I pray for all of my fellow athletes and performers who have not had the same good fortune.
A sincere thank you to everyone who has taken the time to follow my in-ring career. It was an immeasurable gift to get to perform for you all.”
Big E’s final match took place on the March 11, 2022 episode of SmackDown, where he injured his neck. He teamed up with his New Day brother, Kofi Kingston, to take on Sheamus and Ridge Holland of The Brawling Brutes on that night.
Below are Big E’s top accomplishments in WWE:
– 1x WWE Champion
– 2x Intercontinental Champion
– 8x Tag Team Champion (RAW and SmackDown)
– 2021 Men’s Money In The Bank winner
– 1x NXT Champion
– Triple Crown Champion
