In the world of professional wrestling, contract negotiations and expire dates can often create uncertainty and speculation among fans. One wrestler whose contract situation has been in the spotlight is Drew McIntyre, a former two-time world champion in WWE.
According to a report from Fightful Select, it has been confirmed that McIntyre's contract has been extended beyond its original expiration date, now encompassing WrestleMania 40. This extension was a result of injury and inactivity time added to the deal. While WWE is still working on a long-term deal with McIntyre, fans can rest assured that he will be staying put at least until after WrestleMania 40.
This development raises interesting questions considering the upcoming contracts of other major WWE stars. Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, both widely popular and prominent figures in WWE, are also facing expiring deals, potentially around the same time as WrestleMania 40. This creates a dilemma for the company as all three superstars are expected to have significant matches at the annual extravaganza.
Seth Rollins, currently holding the World Heavyweight Championship, will defend his title against the winner of the men's Elimination Chamber match. On the other hand, Becky Lynch is a favorite to win the women's Chamber bout and face Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40.
Now, here's where things get intriguing. It seems that McIntyre would be the ideal choice to win the men's Elimination Chamber match and face Rollins for the championship. However, with news of McIntyre's contract extension still pending, uncertainty looms over his future in WWE.
Speculation has been running rampant, with McIntyre's contract negotiations being described as a 'numbers game.' There is a possibility that WWE may not be willing to meet McIntyre's desired financial terms, which has been the reason for previous contract negotiations falling apart.
Recent history has shown that WWE has walked away from negotiations with talented wrestlers due to high price tags. A prominent example is Sasha Banks, a former women's champion, who ultimately made the move to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) after contract talks with WWE broke down.
This raises the question: could Drew McIntyre be the next wrestler to follow in Banks' footsteps?
AEW seems like a viable destination for McIntyre, as they could potentially offer him a lucrative deal, a more favorable schedule, and a strong push on their television shows. McIntyre's current heel character work has been highly praised, making him an attractive acquisition for any wrestling promotion.
The next few weeks will be crucial in determining McIntyre's long-term prospects. His upcoming singles match against Cody Rhodes, followed by the men's Elimination Chamber match, will serve as indicators of how WWE views him. If he loses those matches cleanly, it could be seen as a sign that despite the contract extension and the apparent mutual desire to reach an agreement, his future lies elsewhere.
For now, fans will have to wait and see how the contract negotiations unfold and what lies ahead for Drew McIntyre. As WrestleMania 40 approaches, the fate of McIntyre, Rollins, and Lynch remains uncertain, adding an additional layer of excitement and anticipation to the already highly anticipated event.
