Should Drew McIntyre Return To The WWE?

The WWE released Drew McIntyre (Drew Galloway) a few years ago. He ended up in TNA and went through the motions there that you would usually expect from a former WWE performer like him going to TNA. TNA may have given him a run with their top title, but they didn't really push him that well. His deal is set to expire in a few months and the speculation can now begin about whether he will come back to the WWE.

The WWE gave Drew McIntyre a big push at one point. You have to wonder how far it would have gone. Were they grooming a legitimate main-eventer? Or just someone to work with a top star and then get demoted? Some people like to say issues with his wife, Taryn Terrell, ruined his push. How about the fact that he just wasn't getting over? Even after that incident in 2010, Drew went on to get a short run with the tag titles with Cody Rhodes. They didn't release him right away. He was stuck with the jobber group of 3MB, but he was still in the company for a while.

Could he bring anything to the WWE? Did he really improve himself in TNA? He definitely has potential. Maybe part of the problem during his WWE run is that they pushed him as the wrong kind of heel. They spent too much time hyping him and not enough time just letting his character really shine.

Of course, this is a different era in the WWE. Not only has the WWE's attitude towards certain things changed, but the fans watching are different. The WWE has driven away a lot of fans over the years. Of those fans left, smarks have become a lot more vocal and energized. These type of fans might be all for a guy like Drew McIntyre. At the very least, he will be better off than his first run with the WWE.

I would not be surprised if the WWE at least showed some interest in Drew. They have already shown a willingness to bring back certain other wrestlers they had released that they felt at the time they no longer needed. They even brought back Jinder Mahal! They obviously have depth issues with the brand split back. I have said many times that I feel the WWE should do better with the roster they have before rushing to sign more people, but if they are going to sign more people, Drew McIntyre would not be a terrible choice to bring back.

The Highs And Lows Of The Tag Division

With the finals in the tournament to find new #1 contenders for the tag titles postponed, that gives me extra time to talk about who I think should win. Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara vs. Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow. Since the current Tag Team Champions are being booked as faces at the moment, it would make sense for the heel team to face them. That would be Rhodes and Sandow.

How about a triple threat? Have both teams challenge Kane and Daniel Bryan. Can you really imagine Rey Mysterio being left off the card? Assume that his illness is not a factor at all. The WWE would definitely like to use him. At the same time, having just Mysterio and Sin Cara face Kane and Daniel Bryan may be awkward. Both teams would be faces. Besides, Rhodes Scholars would have their momentum killed if they just lose like that. What happens after? Do they still stay a team? Interfere in the tag title match? Even if Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio don't win the tournament, I can have an easier time believing they will still team together through the fact that they have this angle where Rey is Sin Cara's mentor. There are a lot of possibilities there. Even if Sin Cara goes back to getting solo feuds, they can still have Mysterio get involved very easily. Getting back to the topic, I still feel both teams should get the title shot. Both have momentum and are made up of guys the WWE cares about pushing. It would be tough to pick one over the other, potentially leaving the other out in the cold. If I had to choose just one team to win this, let it be the heels. Not only would it make sense, but the face team can still survive.

The tag division focus has mainly been on upper-midcarders and midcarders currently. However, there are some lower-midcarders who have been getting more time because of recent events in the tag division. That is always a good thing.

Zack Ryder got over on his own a year ago. Trying to get him a legitimate push must have been like getting a tooth yanked out of your mouth for the WWE. They obviously did not want to do it. When they finally gave him a midcard title, the reign was crap. Beyond that, they used Ryder to put over Cena's character. Once he did that, they phased him back down. Now, he is teaming with Santino Marella. It may not be too much, but at least I see him getting featured more. They have a gimmick going. It is better than being completely lost in the shuffle.

Heath Slater, Drew McIntyre, and Jinder Mahal. Jinder Mahal? Really? I never thought I would live to see the day. Before this boy band was created, none of these guys were being pushed too well. Heath Slater had an angle going where he was jobbing to legends for months, then continued to be used as a jobber after that. Jinder Mahal was last relevant when the WWE used him to put over Ryback in a minor feud. Drew McIntyre has been even less relevant than that. Combined and given this gimmick, these three are actually being used well. I know what you are thinking, these guys have a stable going, not a real tag team. True, but is it hard to imagine that they will be involved in tag matters? I consider them a part of the recent interest being put in the tag division. Good for them. Yes, even Jinder Mahal.

Team Long Vs. Team Laurinaitis Preview

When I got up on Tuesday, I expected to log onto my favorite pro wrestling message board and see a topic with over 100 posts about Christian being suspended for violating the WWE Wellness Policy. Why else would the WWE write him off the huge tag match to decide the boss of both shows? That stupid hairstyle he now has? He has been out with an injury for a while, but if he was healthy enough to take a beating at the hands of CM Punk, I don't see what the problem would have been in having him involved in a large match featuring a dozen wrestlers, not to mention mascots and GMs that will be at ringside to eat up some time. Christian could have definitely have done a little bit and taken a little bit.

Who did they replace him with? Drew McIntyre. That makes this even more awkward. They take out a former World Champion, and one of the heels to first side with John Laurinaitis, and replace him with a guy who is barely finding a place in the midcard recently? In terms of the storyline, McIntyre makes sense. He has had issues with Teddy Long. But they announced him joining the heel team only in passing. Could they maybe have done a backstage segment for it? What would that really have ruined? Two less minutes for the closing promo between The Rock and Cena, or have the overrun last a little longer? Obviously, it's not like there were a ton of other credible heels with nothing else to do for Wrestlemania on the active roster. If they had not gone with McIntyre, it probably would have been Jinder Mahal. I think we dodged the bullet on that one.

Aside from the switch with Christian and McIntyre, the final two members for both sides seems pretty strong. Miz is on the heel team. That is not shocking. He saved Laurinaitis from Santino. In a reversal of what happened there, Booker T saved Long from Mark Henry to get a spot on the face team. Wasn't expecting him at all before Raw. Nice surprise. Not a shocking surprise, but nice. Both Miz and Booker T have that credibility.

I'm not going to run through all the members of the team. I just wanted to mention the recent additions and changes. Moving on, who will win? Not only do I want John Laurinaitis to be GM of both shows, I think it is heading in that direction. Things would be pretty flat if Teddy Long were to run both shows. There is more potential with a heel GM that a lot of people despise, while a lot of other people are finding funny. Laurinaitis is fresher than Teddy Long right now. Obviously, there will be some shady happenings. The GMs arguing with the ref and fighting each other are almost guaranteed. Will there be someone betraying his team? Not necessary, but it could make things more interesting for what happens after Wrestlemania. In the end, I think it is a good idea to have just one GM. And Laurinaitis would not be a horrible choice.

Kelly Kelly Makes Drew McIntyre A Face

I like Drew McIntyre. Although I do not like models frequently getting treated better than female wrestlers, I do not despise Kelly Kelly to death. What do I feel about the storyline involving them now? Don't like it.

I don't dislike it because I feel bad for Tiffany. I don't because of jealousy. None of those stupid reasons. What stupid reason do I have then? It is a cheap way to get Drew McIntyre over. Use an over diva to make McIntyre look like a dashing knight. Drew could not get himself over as a heel, even with an overpush from the WWE. I will not turn against him if he does get over, but things like this show just how bad the WWE is these days. Instead of having performers capable of getting themselves over, or letting the performers have the space to do it on their own, the WWE falls back on the same old tricks to try to convince fans to like or hate a person. If you really think about it, what is it from Drew that will get him over in this storyline? His wrestling ability. Not primarily. His promo ability and acting talent? Doesn't shine that much. His looks? Only for the girls, and even then, he's had that since he debuted. It is really the rub he will get from Kelly Kelly. After Drew does get over, and especially if they kill the romance angle awkwardly, you will have another Chris Masters on your hands. Remember Masters and Eve?

This does give something for Kelly Kelly to do. Can't complain there. Still, it would be nice if Drew comes out of this as a heel. Just drop Kelly Kelly with a DDT.

F4W Predictions

Diva Match: Eve is losing the title. Not only does she have the momentum going in, but did you notice that tag match on Raw? No Gail Kim needed at all for Eve to win it. That is a "gold watch" victory right there. Looks like they are ready to put the title on Maryse again and have her feud with someone. Anyone returning soon? If this is true, it is obvious Eve was used as filler. She did not really work with any other women in real title feuds. I can compare this with what happened to Mickie James and her Diva's Championship reign, in which the WWE did not build any great opponents for her and just had her pass through opponents who gained title opportunities without much more story to it, but I do not write a diva blog anymore. Prediction: Maryse wins.

U.S. Title Match: Simple. Miz just won it a few days ago. Why would he lose it so fast? It would be stupid booking. R-Truth does not need two U.S. title reigns so fast. Prediction: Miz wins.

Intercontinental Title Match: Kofi won the title from Drew McIntyre in a singles match. If I remember correctly, Drew already had a rematch. However, Kofi has not been booked to really work with any other midcarders. Do you see a theme here? In all the title matches I have mentioned so far, the Champions (or former Champion in R-Truth's case) have not really had the opportunity to build there reign by going against a variety of opponents, who are built well, and in well-developed feuds. The main story with Drew is really his issues with Matt Hardy. I can see Drew regain the title so he can feud with Matt over it. However, if he does not win the title, Drew will probably lose due to some Matt Hardy action. That prolongs their feud, but it is the same thing we have been seeing for weeks now. I hope the PPV match offers something more special than that. Prediction: Drew wins.


Smackdown's World Title Match: Big Show probably has the least chance of winning. The WWE would put a World title on him now? He seems to just be there to give Swagger a good rub and to add his unique size and strength to the match. Rey Mysterio? Well, he does deserve another run. Does not mean he will get it. If he does, it can lead to an interesting turn if he feuds with CM Punk again. I can see them putting the title on CM Punk at this PPV. The guy gave up his hair. You owe him. If he wins, this can also lead to a good turn in his feud with Rey. Swagger. This is the man they want to build as a main-eventer. He did not defeat Big Show at the last PPV. Letting him win now would be a safe choice. Prediction: Swagger wins.

Raw's World Title Match: I doubt Sheamus will win. The WWE has the Irish fans hooked in, so I doubt they need to give it to Sheamus again for a while. Or is he still best friends with Triple H? I can see Orton win it. The story is that he was injured, has the odds against him going into this match, but battles through to win it. Edge is the top heel in this match. He holds seniority over Sheamus. If any heel is going to win it, it may be him. Cena always wins, right? Aside from Batista, he has not really had any successful title feuds in his current reign. He does not need them, especially if you look at how he traded the belt with Orton last year, but I do not think his reign will end like this. Prediction: Cena wins.

Five matches? Not like I was planning to buy it anyway, but the number of matches is not the only thing that bothers me. I mentioned how Drew and Kofi have faced each other before, and having Matt Hardy run out is not exactly new and exciting. Miz and R-Truth have faced each other in a good match recently, but I doubt they can really pull out something more epic at the PPV. The diva match will be a diva match with a few good spots here and there, but not enough to save it. All these matches have pretty much poor build. In almost all, the story is that of a basic title feud. Even in Drew/Kofi, the one possible exception, it is still a basic title feud within the larger story between Drew and Matt. The World title matches have more build to them, but even they have been somewhat overshadowed and made dull a bit. Kane is where it is at for Smackdown. NXT is the real hype on Raw. How will these things influence the PPV? That is what interests me. I would not mind Wade Barrett walking out with Cena's title.

Matt Hardy Rises Again

Matt Hardy picked up a great win last night. Yes, it was not really against a World Champion or a guy like that. Yes, he has technically beaten Drew McIntyre before. Yes, I nothing really was on the line in the match. Point is, the win meant a lot.

This whole angle of Matt Hardy being suspended and fighting his way back in to get revenge should remind everyone of what happened to him a few years ago. That was a little more real than what is going on now, but that angle was a great push for him back then. This current angle is no different. The fans are behind Matt. No surprise. But just like a certain diva angle recently, this story is also designed to get Drew McIntyre over as a great heel. Drew has been one of those guys who gets golden silence during his entrance. However, Matt Hardy is not being personally attacked or humiliated in this storyline. His suspension, if you cannot tell, is kayfabe. Nothing is really being done to humiliate his character, but Drew is still making Matt's life hell and wants to hurt him. Matt wants to pay that back.

The only thing I want to see is where this goes from here. Matt got his win on Raw, but it cannot end there. If Drew still had the IC title, I could see him eventually dropping it to Matt. However, the WWE inserted Kofi Kingston as another victim of McIntyre's alliance with Mr. McMahon a few weeks ago, so he had a claim to the title too. I hope for a match with a hardcore gimmick or interesting stipulation for winner/loser. This feud is leading to that.

Vacation Over For Taker

The Undertaker is officially back. It may have been hard to tell that he ever left, since he did pop up on occasion when the WWE needed him since Wrestlemania. Last year, Taker took a hiatus after Wrestlemania too. That lasted until Summerslam in August. His 2010 post-Wrestlemania vacation lasted until roughly the end of May. Short.

What do you do with him? Yes, he is obviously back in the title hunt again. There is also talk of him taking on Swagger at Summerslam. It would do Swagger good to go at it with a guy like The Undertaker. I know that they did it before on Raw, but it will be for the title this time. It will be a real feud this time. I really do not think Taker will regain the title. I do not think he should so fast. His first few title reigns had been spaced out horribly and did not last long, but his most recent reign made up for that. He defended the title a lot. He defended against a lot of top guys.

If Taker should not get the title back, what do I think the WWE should do with him? Obviously, just using him to put over Jack Swagger in a straight title feud is not enough. Taker is worth more than that. I think the WWE needs to design another epic feud for him. It can be with jack Swagger, but I do not feel the title needs to be involved. Taker has had epic feuds with the likes of Big Show, Edge, and Randy Orton. There is always a series of matches, including some gimmick matches. Like caskets? Burying people? Do I even need to mention Hell in a Cell? These are the kind of feuds that the fans will love to see Taker involved in. Problem is, who should he feud with? I already said that it need not be Jack Swagger. How about the other heel setting his sights on gold? CM Punk. They had a slightly epic feud last year, but I think more can be done. I know many fans were disappointed by the Hell in a Cell match they had last year. Give them another chance? Other than Punk and Swagger, the only other heel really on the rise is Drew McIntyre. Too soon for him? I remember Kennedy feuding with Taker in a series of matches a few years ago. Kennedy was not a main-eventer at the time. He had never held a World Championship. He still has never held one. Nevertheless, feuds like that helped build him. Does McIntyre deserve this? It is an option.

The Undertaker is the legend of Smackdown. With Shawn Michaels gone, Taker may be arguably the greatest legend left in the WWE. Imagine how he can help build the younger stars. Imagine the creative feuds you can have with his gimmick and legacy. I hope the WWE does not waste too much time in planning something good.

McIntyre Still Going Strong

You can have the best of both worlds sometimes. I wanted Kofi Kingston to win the Intercontinental Championship, and that happened. However, Drew McIntyre was not exactly kicked to the curb. Right after the loss a few days ago, McIntyre got some segment time to still show his character. On Smackdown, he proved that he still has Mr. McMahon on his team. He still has his angle going for him. In the end, that will count for so much.

What does the future hold for Kofi and McIntyre? The WWE booked Kofi's last title reign very well in one way. He got a lot of title defenses. What it lacked was storyline creativity. Will that happen to Kofi again? It depends whether he even gets through McIntyre, who has a rematch coming. I would hate to see them give the title back to Drew so fast, but you never can tell with the way they book him. I would rather see Drew continue his feud with Teddy Long without the title. It may do a lot in sending Drew to the main event. That is where they want him, right? Just like Sheamus?

Drew Stays Golden Without Even Having To Fight A Match

When Teddy Long demolished Drew McIntyre's career last week, I was looking forward to one of the most intriguing storylines going on for Smackdown right now. Who would win the Intercontinental Championship? How would Mr. McMahon get involved? Would there be some kind of unification match when Drew returned? Would he go to Raw? So much could have come from this.

The WWE took a cheap way out. One week after the shocker, Drew returns. Kofi Kingston had won the Intercontinental Championship. All Drew did was show up with his support from Mr. McMahon and get back his job and title. I do not mind this gimmick of Drew having Mr. McMahon protecting him, but they got to do more than this.

Kofi will probably enter a feud with McIntyre. He will probably win the title. They cannot screw Kofi like this. Smackdown was supposed to be his fresh start. Then again, they could choose to keep the title on McIntyre until Matt Hardy returns in the picture. With all due respect to Matt, I would rather see Kofi get the title back. The main event does not have space for Kofi yet. What else is he supposed to do to build him up? Feud with CM Punk and his minion? Hmmm....they did hold tag gold together before. That is another issue.

What about the larger picture involving Drew being Vince's pet? This thing really looked good last week. It is not starting to look like the same old crap again. Drew loses a match, Vince wipes it off the record. Drew cannot qualify for Money in the Bank, Vince keeps giving him shots. Drew gets fired, Vince rehires him. Drew gets his title taken away from him, Vince gives it back. I think we get the picture. They need to really escalate this thing now. Either lead to it getting Teddy fired, bring Vince directly into the picture, or do something that either elevates Drew's character further or breaks him. I do not care which. I like Drew. The WWE just seems to be dropping the ball.

Silence Is Golden

Am I the only one who is glad that the crowd is usually dead quiet for Drew McIntyre's entrance? You get to enjoy his theme song more that way. Yeah, I am sure that is exactly why the crowd is usually not too enthusiastic too. I am sure those are the broken dreams coming from the WWE too.

Maybe it is because the WWE is having this guy be so similar to how Orton has been, but I think he does have potential to be in the main event one day. He is young, has the look, and I like hid finisher. I must be a DDT nut. I also like the arrogance. I just feel the WWE is pushing him generically horribly.

This guy has been your typical arrogant, young heel so far. Thinks he is better than everyone. I like that they threw in the added bit of Mr. McMahon personally choosing him, but that aspect has lost some steam. Attacks certain faces whenever he wants. You could see the same thing from Sheamus. Runs away and plays scared for Kane. Of course, he has already beaten Kane anyway. Kane is the jobber to the men on the way up, squasher of the men on their way down. I think Drew needs something more unique. A good storyline. Giving him the Intercontinental Championship is not enough. The belt is just decaying on him, especially if they do plan to keep it on him for a long time.

I am not saying that he should lose the title and immediately be tossed into the main event. No. Too many men are overpushed too soon like that. Randy Orton may have won the World title after losing the IC title, but remember that he did not win the World title on his first shot ever and had some epic battles with the likes of Mick Foley and Shawn Michaels before this. What epic feuds has Drew McIntyre had? What epic battles did Sheamus and Jack Swagger have before their big title wins? You can probably list some of Swagger's ECW matches for him, but Matt Hardy is not exactly the kind of guy to give Swagger the kind of rub that a Mick Foley could give Randy Orton. I will not even mention the best feud Sheamus had pre-Raw possibly being with Goldust. This stuff is pathetic. And I do not want to see Drew just wrestle one match against Undertaker then return to Matt Hardy. If he is going to feud with a guy like Taker, I want it to be a good feud. Do something to show that Drew is on that level, and not just because he is endorsed by Mr. McMahon. I understand that this little bit can be used to get him heat (spoiled child), but they can take it to another level.

If they are serious about pushing this guy to the main level, they need to do it better. If they are not, stop with the overhype for now and let him really work the midcard better. Give him better feuds and storylines there. Have him feud with both the men who have held gold before and the hungry young guys clawing for a singles title. I am thinking back to how Orton was booked as IC Champion. It was something like that which I now want to see again. Drew McIntyre is not one of my huge favorites, but I think there can be something a lot more interesting going on here.