The Elimination Chamber gave WWE some much-needed direction heading into WrestleMania season after a few weeks of confusion following the Royal Rumble. Now that many of the big stars have clear feuds or matches to explore at The Show of Shows, it has made the company feel a lot more ready for the biggest event of the year.
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Drew McIntyre Is Doing The Best Work Of His Career, But WWE Seemingly Has Nothing For Him
Drew McIntyre is doing everything WWE asks of him, but the promotion still isn’t treating him like a main eventer.
Drew McIntyre is one Superstar struggling to find the best form heading into WrestleMania, as his move to SmackDown has not gone well so far. It would appear that a match against Damian Priest on The Grandest Stage of Them All beckons for the Scottish Warrior, but it does feel like WWE has dropped the ball with the former World Champion.
Drew McIntyre Had His Best Year In 2024
Drew McIntyre Is Floundering On The SmackDown Brand After His Move
- Drew McIntyre had the consensus feud of the year against CM Punk on Raw last year.
- He became the World Heavyweight Champion briefly at WrestleMania 40.
- McIntyre moved to SmackDown in January of this year as part of the Transfer Window.
It must not be forgotten how exceptional Drew McIntyre was throughout 2024, as he had the best individual year of his entire career. Starting by winning the World Heavyweight Championship from Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, Drew’s year only got better through his long feud with CM Punk.
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The two fought three times throughout 2024, culminating in a violent Hell in a Cell match at Bad Blood that completely rejuvenated the once tiresome gimmick. McIntyre did the best character work of his career as a bitter and twisted, vengeful figure who was steadfast in righting the many wrongs he had endured. His chemistry with Punk was amazing, and their feud made both men feel like key figures for WWE heading into 2025.
CM Punk has continued his form into this year by making it to the final two of the Elimination Chamber whilst his feud with Seth Rollins intensifies. However, the same cannot be said for Drew McIntyre, who has struggled to maintain the same momentum and high level of character work since moving to SmackDown as part of the Transfer Window in January.
Drew McIntyre Has Become A Loser
Drew McIntyre Has Failed In His Continued Pursuit Of The Bloodline
- Drew McIntyre continued his form after the CM Punk feud by demolishing Sami Zayn towards the end of 2024.
- He vowed to continue his mission of dismantling the former Bloodline members upon his move to SmackDown.
- McIntyre failed at the first hurdle when he shockingly lost to Jimmy Uso.
Following his sensational feud with CM Punk, McIntyre returned with a new mission, which was to target the former Bloodline members who had wronged him in the past. The likes of Sami Zayn, Jey, and Jimmy Uso all stopped Drew McIntyre from becoming WWE Champion during Roman Reigns’ record-breaking reign with the top title, most notably at Clash at the Castle in 2022.
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Drew got off to a good start as he brutalized Sami Zayn on Raw and Saturday Night’s Main Event before he was moved to SmackDown in January of this year. McIntyre then started to target Jimmy Uso, who had only recently returned as a singles competitor following his brothers’ success on Raw.
Unfortunately, the Scot’s booking ever since transitioning to the blue brand has been far more scattershot, which involved losing to Jimmy Uso somewhat unexpectedly on SmackDown. Having Drew falter at the first hurdle has ultimately put pay to his Bloodline revenge storyline, as he is now clearly being positioned in a feud with former World Championship rival from last year, Damian Priest.
Drew McIntyre Needs A Change
It May Be Time To Turn The Scottish Warrior Babyface
- Drew McIntyre is set to feud with Damian Priest heading into WrestleMania 41.
- It is unclear how McIntyre is supposed to regain his momentum.
- McIntyre may benefit from a post-WrestleMania babyface turn.
It is probably too late now for Drew McIntyre to get into a substantial match at WrestleMania, as his elimination at the hands of Damian Priest inside the Chamber seems to be setting up a feud between the two. The match itself is not disappointing on paper with both being World Champions as soon as last year, but it does feel like a bit of a compromise.
Given that Priest and McIntyre already had a feud last year, over the World Heavyweight Championship no less, this outcome does seem like a diminished return. It is also a match that will not do much for the victor whilst simultaneously making the loser look weakened for not winning a match with potential title ramifications going forward.
With how both men are currently being booked on SmackDown, Damian Priest is in a better position to win the match, continuing to circle the main event scene on the blue brand following WrestleMania. This leaves Drew McIntyre in the unfortunate position of losing another high-profile match, as he slides down the card in WWE.
The only real option that remains for McIntyre short of taking a break following WrestleMania would be to turn him babyface once again. The ‘Hater’ Drew character has been great, but with there now being a host of world title-level heels in WWE, including John Cena, of all people, he may benefit from pivoting back to a more crowd-pleasing path.