Drew McIntyre’s Potential Appearance at Madison Square Garden Sets Stage for Survivor Series
WWE is pulling out all the stops for “Monday Night Raw” at the iconic Madison Square Garden, with reports from PWInsider indicating that former World Heavyweight Champion Drew McIntyre is backstage despite being officially part of the “SmackDown” roster. Though his appearance on the broadcast hasn’t been confirmed, the timing makes perfect sense given the build toward Survivor Series. McIntyre has recently aligned himself with The Vision and Logan Paul for the upcoming WarGames match, positioning himself against CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and The Usos, who still need one final teammate. Many wrestling fans and insiders believe tonight’s Madison Square Garden show could be the perfect setting to reveal that crucial fifth member of Team Punk/Rhodes.
McIntyre’s journey to his current position represents one of WWE’s more compelling character arcs in recent years. The Scottish Warrior’s heel turn can be traced back to his heartbreaking defeat at Clash at the Castle 2022, where he came within moments of dethroning Roman Reigns as Undisputed WWE Champion in front of a favorable UK crowd. That night, interference from Solo Sikoa cost McIntyre his moment of glory, planting seeds of bitterness that would eventually transform his character. Paul Heyman, once McIntyre’s tormentor as “The Wiseman” of The Bloodline, has now become an unlikely ally following Heyman’s shocking betrayal of Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 41 that led to the formation of The Vision.
The relationship between McIntyre and WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis has been particularly strained in recent months. McIntyre’s repeated sneak attacks and disruptive behavior even led to his suspension from the blue brand. However, in a display of political maneuvering that highlights the complex power dynamics in WWE’s storylines, McIntyre found a loophole that allowed him to return to action by agreeing to participate in the WarGames match alongside The Vision and Logan Paul. This strategic alliance not only got him back on television but positioned him firmly in one of the most anticipated matches on the Survivor Series card.
McIntyre enters this new chapter coming off two high-profile losses to Cody Rhodes in Undisputed WWE Championship matches. Their first encounter at Wrestlepalooza in September ended with Rhodes retaining his title, and their rematch at Saturday Night’s Main Event delivered the same result. These defeats have only intensified McIntyre’s frustration and likely fueled his decision to join forces with The Vision, seeing this new alignment as his path back to championship glory. His potential appearance at Raw in Madison Square Garden could signal the next evolution in this storyline, possibly setting up new rivalries or deepening existing ones as WWE builds toward their traditional November premium live event.
The WarGames match at Survivor Series represents a perfect storm of WWE’s most compelling storylines converging into one chaotic battlefield. On one side stands CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and The Usos, a collection of fan favorites with their own complex histories and relationships. On the opposing side, The Vision, Logan Paul, and McIntyre form a coalition of opportunists and antagonists seeking to reshape the WWE landscape in their image. The identity of the fifth member for Team Punk/Rhodes remains one of WWE’s most intriguing mysteries, with speculation running wild among the fanbase about who might complete this formidable squad.
Madison Square Garden has historically been the site of many legendary WWE moments, and tonight’s Raw could add another chapter to that storied legacy. Whether Drew McIntyre makes an on-screen appearance or works behind the scenes, his presence at the iconic venue signals WWE’s commitment to delivering a memorable show ahead of Survivor Series. As the company continues to navigate its post-WrestleMania season with fresh storylines and evolving character dynamics, McIntyre’s role as a SmackDown star potentially crossing brand lines reinforces WWE’s current creative direction of fluid boundaries and interconnected narratives across its programming. For fans of the Scottish Warrior, tonight may offer new insights into his ongoing character development and future direction in the company.
