In early 2020, McIntyre would embark on a winning streak, while vowing to win the upcoming Royal Rumble match and receive his first world championship opportunity, starting a slow gradual face turn. At the Royal Rumble on 26 January, McIntyre won the Royal Rumble match by lastly eliminating Roman Reigns, earning himself a championship opportunity at WrestleMania 36. In the match, McIntyre eliminated six participants, including WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. The following night on "Raw", McIntyre announced that he chose to challenge Lesnar for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 36, thus turning face in the process. In the main event of WrestleMania 36, McIntyre defeated Lesnar to capture the WWE Championship.