Drew McIntyre WWE Return Plans

Published: 13 seconds ago by SP3 | Last Updated: 13 seconds ago by SP3

Born in Harlem, New York and now living in the Bronx, Sid Pullar III aka SP3 is a lifelong wrestling fan who has been covering the industry for over nine years as a podcaster and writer. His passion for the industry has been documented with over 3,000 videos on YouTube and 8,000 written pieces across multiple outlets, such as WrestleTalk, Sports Illustrated and more.

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Drew McIntyre has not appeared on WWE programming since losing to Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 42 Night One.

With filming on The Highlander movie now done, McIntyre seems set to return to WWE in the coming weeks.

Being one of WWE’s biggest stars, “The Scottish Warrior” should come back in an impactful way that reasserts him as a prominent figure in the company once more.

Here are seven potential Drew McIntyre WWE return plans.

7. Replace Someone In The King Of The Ring Tournament

2026 WWE King of the Ring bracket

On June 1, WWE posted an updated bracket for the 2026 King of the Ring tournament.

Despite Talla Tonga and Ricky Saints being on the original bracket, this new update had them removed and replaced with Sami Zayn and the returning Drew McIntyre.

While this was once again updated with Tonga and Saints being placed back into the field, it could have been some unintentional foreshadowing where McIntyre eventually steps into the tournament.

McIntyre replacing someone in the King of the Ring might be the best way for the former Undisputed WWE Champion to make his return in a major way right now.

6. Facing Royce Keys

Royce Keys’ only one-on-one loss since his WWE SmackDown debut came against GUNTHER on May 15

Ever since making his WWE debut, Royce Keys has become one of the company’s fastest rising stars.

The former Powerhouse Hobbs won the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal and has been regularly featured on Friday Night SmackDown.

Drew McIntyre returning could see him find a new opponent and rival in the former AEW star.

Considering Keys has not backed down from anyone since arriving in WWE, this seems like an inevitable battle where McIntyre will want to humble the newest star on the blue brand.

5. Challenging Trick Williams For United States Championship

Since his arrival on Friday Night SmackDown in January, Trick Williams has proven himself to be one of the most popular stars in all of WWE.

With crowds regularly chanting “Whoop That Trick” whenever he appears, Williams feels like the biggest breakout name on the WWE roster this year.

Now reigning as the United States Champion, this could lead to a showdown with Drew McIntyre.

“The Scottish Warrior” could return to WWE and be looking for championship gold anyway he can, which may lead to him challenging Trick for the US Title sooner rather than later.

4. Rivalry With Newest SmackDown Star Finn Balor

On the June 1 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, it was announced that Finn Balor had been moved to Friday Night SmackDown after several years on Monday Night Raw.

Reportedly wanting to give him a fresh start after his rivalry with The Judgment Day concluded, this could see Balor face some of the top talent on the blue brand.

Being no stranger to one another from their battles in 2019 and beyond, Balor and McIntyre could become more prominent rivals now that they are both on Friday Night SmackDown.

Wanting to reestablish himself back on the brand and put himself back into contention for the Undisputed WWE Championship, McIntyre might need to score a win over Balor to once again challenge for the top prize on Friday nights.

3. A New Alliance With Sami Zayn

Over the past several years, Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn have been rivals and faced well over a dozen times in singles competition.

Most recently, McIntyre defeated Zayn to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship and improve to 13-0 at WWE Royal Rumble 2026.

However, Zayn has recently undergone an attitude change after being frustrated with the disrespect he has received from Cody Rhodes and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis.

As someone else who has had his problems with Aldis and Rhodes, McIntyre could see Zayn’s point and decide to align with his longtime rival upon his return to the company.

2. Rematch With Cody Rhodes For Undisputed WWE Championship

On the March 6 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Cody Rhodes defeated Drew Mcintyre to win the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Since his loss to “The American Nightmare,” McIntyre never got his rematch for the title in the months after his loss.

Upon his comeback, McIntyre might look to avenge his loss a few months earlier and become Undisputed WWE Champion one more time.

With Rhodes still holding the gold, McIntyre could be the only one who has what it takes and knows what to do to take down Cody for the title.

1. Moving To Monday Night Raw To Become The Bloodline Hunter Again

While he has been on Friday Night SmackDown for well over a year now, Drew McIntyre might look over at Monday Night Raw and realize that he has unfinished business.

At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One, Jacob Fatu defeated McIntyre in an Unsanctioned Match. Since then, Fatu failed to capture the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns and has been forced to join The Bloodline after losing Tribal Combat.

Prior to his move to SmackDown, McIntyre had become a Bloodline hunter, attacking the different members of the group and wanting to destroy them with his loss to Roman Reigns at WWE Clash In The Castle 2022 still on his mind.

Wanting to take down the faction before they gain even more power, McIntyre might take it upon himself to move to WWE Raw and reassume his role as The Bloodline hunter now that the stable is back on top.