Drew McIntyre’s WWE WrestleMania Legacy: Ranking His Best Matches

Should the question arise as to which WWE superstar has navigated the most volatile path on the road to WrestleMania 42, the answer is undeniably Drew McIntyre. He has spent the better part of the last year walking a razor-thin line between ultimate glory and total devastation, proving that his path to the Grandest Stage of Them All is never a straight line.

“The Scottish Warrior” started the 2026 calendar with a bang, toppling Cody Rhodes in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match on the January 9 episode of SmackDown to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship. He secured the victory by capitalizing on the chaos caused by a returning Jacob Fatu, who, after initially attacking McIntyre, turned his sights on “The American Nightmare,” allowing McIntyre just enough time to escape the cage.  

While Rhodes still has a loyal following, many fans were eager for a change with the Undisputed Championship and had grown tired of the prolonged back-and-forth rivalry between him and McIntyre.

It appeared fans were getting their wish when McIntyre moved into a feud with Sami Zayn, following Zayn’s Fatal 4-Way victory at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24 to become the number one contender. The two squared off for the title at the Royal Rumble, but Zayn ultimately fell short of his dream of becoming a World Champion, losing the hard-fought match.

During the Royal Rumble match later that night, McIntyre made a surprise appearance to deliver a devastating Claymore Kick to Rhodes, illegally eliminating him from the bout. The moment signaled to fans that, despite their desire for change, WWE creative was doubling down on the lengthy feud between the two.

The chaos spilled over into the Elimination Chamber match when McIntyre made a late appearance to distract Rhodes. This left the door open for Randy Orton to take full advantage, landing his signature RKO to claim the second Chamber victory of his career. 

Immediately after the show, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis announced that McIntyre would defend his title against Rhodes that upcoming Friday on SmackDown. Many fans took issue with this, noting that their previous match agreement stipulated Rhodes could only challenge for the title by winning the Rumble or the Chamber. Despite the backlash, the match went forward on March 6, 2026. McIntyre’s luck took a sharp U-turn as he lost the title back to Rhodes, following interference from Fatu. 

Fourteen days after his title loss, Aldis announced that McIntyre would be granted the ultimate opportunity of revenge: he would take on “The Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 42, with the two meeting in a brutal Unsanctioned match.

WrestleMania 42 will mark McIntyre’s eleventh appearance at the “Show of Shows,” where he currently holds a 4–6 record. With another high-stakes battle on the horizon, it is the perfect time to look back at those ten previous outings and rank his five best matches on the grandest stage so far. Ahead of his clash with Fatu, let’s dive into the top five Drew McIntyre matches in WrestleMania history.

5. Drew McIntyre vs. Bobby Lashley: WrestleMania 37 

WrestleMania 37 was a landmark event for fans, not only as the “Grandest Stage of Them All” but also as the first time a live crowd returned to the arena following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The card featured several high-quality bouts, including a powerhouse clash that saw Drew McIntyre challenge Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship.

Lashley entered as the dominant champion, accompanied by MVP and The Hurt Business. Meanwhile, McIntyre was seeking revenge for his title loss at Elimination Chamber; there, Lashley had ambushed him, allowing The Miz to cash in his Money in the Bank contract successfully. Lashley eventually reclaimed the gold just a few weeks later after being granted a title shot by The Miz himself.

Hosted at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, WrestleMania 37 saw the match between McIntyre and Lashley briefly delayed by a passing storm. Despite the weather, the two superstars went on to deliver an exceptional contest that earned high praise from fans and critics for its hard-hitting, physical style.

The end came when MVP provided a timely distraction, allowing Lashley to dodge a Claymore and trap McIntyre in the Hurt Lock. McIntyre refused to tap but ultimately passed out, handing Lashley the win. While McIntyre didn’t walk away with the gold, the match helped cement fans’ emotional investment in him, while solidifying Lashley as a top-tier force on the roster. 

4. Drew McIntyre vs. Brock Lesnar: WrestleMania 36 

While 2020 was a year of uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the Showcase of the Immortals being held at the WWE Performance Center without fans, it also provided a career-defining moment for Drew McIntyre. Facing off against Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship, the “Scottish Warrior” rose to the occasion to secure his long-awaited WrestleMania moment.

Despite its short duration, this high-impact battle was undeniably effective. McIntyre proved his dominance by kicking out of an F-5 at the count of one, the first of several he would survive, truly cementing his reputation as a “warrior.”

Lesnar also proved that “The Beast” was more than just a nickname, as it took four Claymore Kicks for McIntyre to keep him down, finally. This marked a career-defining moment for McIntyre as he became the first-ever British-born WWE Champion. However, it remains a bittersweet “what if” moment in history, as there were no fans in attendance to celebrate his first world title win due to the pandemic.

3. Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins: WrestleMania 40  

After his victory at the 2024 Elimination Chamber, Drew McIntyre was given another opportunity to become a World Champion, this time in front of a live crowd, as he prepared to take on Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship.

The two kicked off Night 2 of WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, with McIntyre holding the upper hand as Rollins was visibly wounded from his Night 1 tag team match alongside Cody Rhodes against Roman Reigns and The Rock. The contest nearly ended the moment the bell rang when McIntyre delivered a devastating Claymore Kick, resulting in a heart-pounding near-fall. 

After a grueling back-and-forth battle, the match ended much like McIntyre’s first world title win as he delivered a fourth Claymore Kick to secure the victory. However, the celebration took a dark turn when McIntyre chose to taunt guest commentator CM Punk at ringside. This provoked an assault from Punk, providing the perfect opening for Damian Priest to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase and end McIntyre’s reign in minutes.

2. Drew McIntyre vs. Damien Priest: WrestleMania 41

Placing this matchup so high might surprise some, but it earns its spot due to its sheer brutality and the storytelling between Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest that carried over from the previous year. The buildup centered on McIntyre’s obsession with securing a fair title reign, as he spent months dismissing Priest as nothing more than a “paper champion.”

The buildup featured several intense physical altercations, ultimately leading the two into a Sin City Street Fight. While the match was defined by its brutality, it also showcased a level of ruthless technicality that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the contest.

Much like his most dominant victories, this match ended with McIntyre landing a series of Claymore Kicks to secure the win and claim his revenge on Damian Priest. The victory served as a moment of redemption for McIntyre, allowing him to reclaim the dignity he lost at the previous WrestleMania and finally close the chapter on his nearly two-year feud with Priest.

1. Drew McIntyre vs. Gunther vs. Sheamus: WrestleMania 39 

Hosted at SoFi Stadium, WrestleMania 39 was marketed as “WrestleMania Goes Hollywood.” But while Hollywood is known for stars and glamour, the Triple Threat match for the Intercontinental Championship between Gunther, Drew McIntyre, and Sheamus delivered a masterclass in sheer physicality.

The buildup delved into the breakdown of the friendship between McIntyre and Sheamus, as both men became obsessed with dethroning “The Ring General” and stealing his title. The match was set as a Triple Threat after a chaotic qualifying bout between the two ended in a rare double-pinfall, leaving no clear winner.

The matchup at WrestleMania 39 didn’t just deliver; it arguably exceeded expectations, with many calling it the best match of the entire weekend. The non-stop pacing was undeniable, as Gunther, McIntyre, and Sheamus hammered each other with relentless chops until all three were left with raw, blood-red chests by the time the final bell rang.

A major factor in McIntyre’s battered condition was the 28 relentless strikes delivered by Sheamus. In the closing moments, it appeared Sheamus had secured the victory and his Grand Slam Championship, after landing a Brogue Kick on McIntyre, only for Gunther to shatter the pinfall with a massive splash from the top rope.

Gunther then delivered a thunderous Powerbomb to Sheamus, followed by another to McIntyre, securing the pinfall and retaining his Intercontinental Championship.  This match earns the top spot on the list for the raw brutality displayed by all three men and the crowd’s relentless energy throughout the bout.

Whether inside an empty Performance Center or before a roaring crowd at SoFi Stadium, Drew McIntyre has proven that his legacy on “The Grandest Stage Of Them All” isn’t defined by a simple win-loss record. At WrestleMania 42, he has the ultimate opportunity to unleash his frustration on the man who turned his year upside down in an instant, much like Thanos with a snap of his fingers.

One thing is certain: regardless of the result in two weeks, McIntyre is guaranteed to give the performance of a lifetime.