5 directions for Drew McIntyre on WWE SmackDown following Jeff Hardy's release

On December 9, 2021, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reported that The Charimatic Enigma Jeff Hardy had been released by WWE. The report stated that the former WWE Champion had been offered help and rehabilitation, but this was ultimately refused.

The last time we saw Jeff Hardy in a WWE ring was during a house show in Edinburg, Texas teaming up with Drew McIntyre and King Woods. Hardy, who appeared to be clutching his stomach throughout and appeared sluggish, eventually tagged himself out of the match and bolted for the exit through the crowd.

It was an unusual move, and one that seemed to occur at the time and was not planned. Hardy did not remerge. He was ultimately pulled from next night's live event, replaced by Rey Mysterio, and has now had his contract terminated by WWE.

Fightful has learned WWE has released Jeff Hardy

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) December 9, 2021

Of course, we don't want to speculate on the private matters of Jeff Hardy at this moment, but we sincerely hope that he finds the help and the right path that he needs to remain happy and healthy.

The move releasing Jeff Hardy has now left a big hole on the SmackDown roster, and has also left Drew McIntyre in a bit of a limbo as to what direction he will now take. The Scottish Warrior has been teaming up with Jeff Hardy for weeks now in a feud with Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss.

That being said, let's take a look at five directions for Drew McIntyre on WWE SmackDown following Jeff Hardy's release.

#5 Drew McIntyre will need to find a new tag team partner on WWE SmackDown

Drew McIntyre and Jeff Hardy could be a legit tag team #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/MZkyIbasLG

— 🇻🇬 🇻🇮 (@GeoffRhymer) December 4, 2021

The sad thing about Hardy's departure is it brings an end to the fun that he and Drew were having on the blue brand. It appeared that they were legitimately having some with it, and bounced off each other incredibly.

The feud between Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss is still looming and the most obvious thing now would be for Drew to find a new tag team partner to help him. There are a few candidates who he could fall back on.

He could look at the strength of Cesaro, a similar wrestler to him, who appears to not have much direction at the moment after losing to Sheamus. McIntyre could also look for the help of the high-flying daredevil Ricochet, who again isn't really up to much right now storyline wise, but recently faced Drew in a one-on-one match.

Either way, there are some tag team partner options still available for him to take on the laughing and annoying duo of Corbin and Moss.

#4 Drew McIntyre could try and take on Corbin & Moss on his own on WWE SmackDown

UP NEXT: Jeff Hardy and Drew McIntyre vs Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/mXLp0pAqN7

— Dude Duff (@dude_duff) November 27, 2021

Without Jeff Hardy by his side on WWE SmackDown moving forward, Drew being Drew might decide to take matters into his own hands. Along with his sword, Angela, Drew may challenge the duo to a Handicap Match.

McIntyre is a fearless competitor and believes in his own strength and ability to get the job done. He may feel this is a challenge he can face head-on on his own after weeks of back and forth between the teams.

#3 Drew McIntyre could look to face Happy Corbin in a gimmick match at Day 1 to end the feud

No count outs? No disqualifications?!

DREW MCINTYRE USE THE DAMN SWORD!!! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/boXdUqhSP3

— Jessi Davin (@jessithebuckeye) November 17, 2020

Plans are now seemingly up in the air as to how and when the feud between Hardy/McIntyre and Corbin/Moss was going to end. The best way to move forward now would be to give the feud its closure at the next pay-per-view.

Day 1 on January 1, 2022 is just a few weeks away, and the feud could end in some type of gimmick match between Drew McIntyre and Happy Corbin. The former Universal Champion could beat Madcap Moss the week before to stipulate that he would be banned from ringside for the contest.

If there is a gimmick match, please let's not have an Angela On A Pole match.

#2 Drew McIntyre could now set his sights firmly on the WWE Royal Rumble in January

What an upset! Drew McIntyre eliminates Roman Reigns to win the Royal Rumble and earn his WrestleMania opportunity pic.twitter.com/tDTGQ54643

— SI Wrestling (@SI_wrestling) January 27, 2020

He's done it once, and maybe he could do it again in 2022. Drew McIntyre won the WWE Men's Royal Rumble match in 2020. Sadly, he was not able to have his championship winning match at WrestleMania in-front of an audience due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Brushing Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss away, Drew could firmly set his sights on becoming a Royal Rumble winner again. McIntyre could once again look to reclaim his spot on top of the WWE Universe.

#1 Drew McIntyre could challenge for the Universal Championship after Day 1

MAKE DREW MCINTYRE UNIVERSAL CHAMPION PLEASE! pic.twitter.com/2Y8RCTytPy

— 👑Adam Goldberg  (@adamgoldberg28) October 4, 2019

Aside from Brock Lesnar, Drew McIntyre is effectively SmackDown's top babyface right now. If there is anyone that's going to step up to Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship after Day 1, if he retains it of course, then it has to be Drew.

Let's say Brock Lesnar loses again, Drew could step up and look to take the championship from Reigns. Lesnar was advertised for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view at the end of January, but this could figure him into the Royal Rumble match itself. Roman vs. Drew at Royal Rumble could be the next big blockbuster fight.