Drew McIntyre Returns, Confronts Orton and Sets Match for SNME – Drew McIntyre made his return to WWE programming during the July 4 episode of SmackDown, confronting Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton and making it clear that he has unfinished business.
McIntyre, who hadn’t been seen since his Steel Cage Match loss to Damian Priest at Saturday Night’s Main Event in May, interrupted a segment where Rhodes and Orton were sharing mutual respect. Clearly unimpressed, McIntyre mocked the bond between the two veterans and attempted to stir the pot by encouraging them to turn on each other.
When neither man took the bait, McIntyre shifted his focus to Orton — but the confrontation ended badly for him, as Orton dropped him with an RKO in front of the Pittsburgh crowd.
Later backstage, McIntyre approached SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis and demanded a match against Orton. Aldis granted the request, officially setting McIntyre vs. Orton for the July 12 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
The updated card for the event is now as follows:
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER (c) vs. Goldberg
- LA Knight vs. Seth Rollins
- Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton
McIntyre’s return injects new energy into WWE’s upper-card rivalries. While his most recent feud with Damian Priest may be behind him, he’s clearly not stepping back from confrontation, targeting one of WWE’s most decorated stars in Orton. The match on July 12 could have major implications heading into SummerSlam season.
Drew McIntyre Returns, Confronts Orton and Sets Match for SNME
