Update on WWE’s Creative Plans for Drew McIntyre Post-Royal Rumble & McIntyre’s Backstage Incident at Royal Rumble 2025

As noted before, Drew McIntyre was involved in a backstage incident following his elimination from the Men’s Royal Rumble match at Saturday’s WWE Royal Rumble event. McIntyre stormed out of the venue over being furious over his issues with LA Knight, who was claimed to only care at trying to put himself over and not the match nor stories being told in it. McIntyre was the most upset over Knight messing up what had been originally planned to be a major moment for McIntyre’s elimination at the hands of Damian Priest to kick off a WrestleMania 41 program between the two.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that McIntyre is currently planned to begin a feud with Priest as part of his recent move to the SmackDown brand.

Meltzer reported that WWE officials had long discussed McIntyre being moved over to their SmackDown brand which was the reason why he had been mentioning Roman Reigns and The bloodline in his promos over the past few months.

WWE officials reportedly have also held talks regarding potential plans of McIntyre working with Cody Rhodes and something that had been originally scheduled for 2023 prior to Rhodes losing at WrestleMania 39. Meltzer reported that WWE officials have yet to map out their plans for a match between the two after WrestleMania 41.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that McIntyre is expected to be at tonight’s WWE SmackDown show in Memphis and his move to the brand will be made official very soon.

In regards to McIntyre’s backstage incident at this past Saturday’s Royal Rumble 2025 event, Johnson reported that McIntyre and WWE officials have been in communication all week over the issues. Those spoken to within WWE reportedly acknowledged the overwhelming fan support for McIntyre on social media and company officials have big plans for him moving forward.

In regards to WWE’s plans for McIntyre for tonight’s SmackDown show, WrestleVotes reported that their sources stated that McIntyre is currently scheduled to be competing in the main event for the show. This main event reportedly is currently scheduled to be a Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Triple Threat match of McIntyre vs. LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso.