Rumors. Speculations. Sensationalism. Ah, yes, the very lifeblood of the wrestling community. The recent, highly-anticipated return of former World Champion Drew McIntyre at Money in the Bank in London has been no exception.
The 38-year-old Scottish titan’s comeback after an unexplained hiatus was no quiet affair. The roof at the O2 Arena virtually shattered as McIntyre stood toe-to-toe with the reigning Intercontinental Champion, Gunther, delivering a Glasgow Kiss headbutt that left the audience in a frenzy. However, a return this thunderous can’t exist without a bit of speculation, right? And oh, has the rumor mill been spinning!
Prior to his comeback at Money in the Bank, McIntyre’s status with WWE had been shrouded in ambiguity. Reports began circulating around the time of WrestleMania, suggesting that McIntyre’s contract was nearing expiration. Adding to this is the whispers of a so-called “creative conflict” between McIntyre and WWE. It didn’t help that the former champion himself had been conspicuously silent on social media, only adding to the air of mystery.
Then came the curveball: his appearance at Money in the Bank. The rumors instantly shifted from contract expirations and creative conflicts to his future with the company.
According to a PWInsider report, McIntyre’s return doesn’t necessarily mean a new contract has been inked. As a matter of fact, his current deal is reportedly still set to expire in early 2024, with no known discussions for an extension.
Yet, like a voice of reason amidst all the chaos, WWE’s CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque has offered some insight, pouring cold water on these rampant rumors during the post-Money in the Bank press conference. According to Levesque, 75% of the rumors are “completely off base.” His stance? McIntyre was merely taking a break to recover from injuries and address personal life issues.
“As far as I know, if Drew had an issue, it’s news to me,” Triple H told reporters. “He was out with an injury and getting some stuff fixed. While he was out, he had something else he wanted to get fixed, so we did it, and here he is.” His sentiment was clear, expressing hope that McIntyre will stay with WWE for the remainder of his career.
Yet, despite the reassurances from Levesque, questions remain, with the lack of a new contract fueling further speculation. McIntyre has reportedly been ready to return for some time now, yet he delayed it, holding out for a significant storyline rather than an uneventful return.
Now, it seems WWE Creative and McIntyre have found common ground, with his confrontation with Gunther sparking quite the highly-anticipated feud.
It’s clear that McIntyre’s future with WWE is a topic of hot discussion. As it stands, he will become a free agent at the start of next year unless a contract extension comes to fruition. Speculation aside, what we can be sure of is McIntyre’s demand for meaningful storylines and his reluctance to commit to a new contract until he is satisfied with the creative direction of his character.
For now, the stage is set for a thrilling contest against Gunther that promises to shake the foundations of WWE. The future is uncertain, but isn’t that what keeps us all on the edge of our seats?
