Drew McIntyre laid it all on the line at WWE WrestleMania 39 when he competed in a brutal triple-threat Intercontinental Championship match against GUNTHER and Sheamus. McIntyre did not come out on top in the bout as GUNTHER retained and has gone on to hold the title for more than a year but, despite the loss, many still viewed the match as a win for all involved as it was one of the most impressively physical matches in WrestleMania history.
With that said, McIntyre has been suspiciously absent from WWE television following the big title bout in Los Angeles. PWInsider is reporting that there is creative frustration at the moment between McIntyre and WWE, which is why he has not been brought back as part of any kind of storyline. The Scottish Superstar is one of the most popular European talents that the promotion has, and it is said that pitches are currently being made to bring him back into the fold before or at Money In The Bank in London.
The friction between the two sides in regard to the appropriate creative for his return appears to center around how meaningful McIntyre’s booking will be. McIntyre is said to not want to be left floating about the roster, creatively adrift, following his successful run as WWE Champion during the pandemic. Throughout those tumultuous years for the company, McIntyre not only stood up as the top champion but also as an ambassador at various charity events. I can personally attest to McIntyre’s busy charity schedule as I watched him give it his all at a Special Olympics golf event during Mania 39 weekend where he looked visibly exhausted, despite his chutzpah.
McIntyre’s WWE contract expires sometime early next year and if both sides cannot come to an agreement in regard to how he will be booked, it is likely he will not return to TV. If he does leave the company altogether and becomes a free agent, All Elite Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and other major promotions would likely all be prepared to bid for his services.