Drew McIntyre Reveals When He Was Originally Scheduled To Make Post-WrestleMania 42 WWE Return

Drew McIntyre has been absent from WWE programming since losing an Unsanctioned Match to Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 42, and the former world champion would have been back on TV already if not for Russell Crowe's intervention.

McIntyre revealed on Bradly Martyn's Raw Talk that he was close to returning to WWE after finishing up filming on the Highlander reboot, but he worked out extending his hiatus after finding out that Russell Crowe wanted him to be a part of The Last Druid movie.

"Once I finished Highlander, I was about to return to WWE, and I got a phone call from the agent, and he said to me, 'Russell Crowe is asking for you to be in a movie.' Then I really liked the script. I loved the character, and the fact Russell was asking for me was just bizarre to me. I guess he went to Henry (Cavill) and kind of asked about me. Henry put me over for the performance on Highlander," McIntyre stated.

"We got working with WWE and said, 'I know I've been out for a couple of months and supposed to come back, but there's this thing here. I think it's a big opportunity. I'm not leaving. I want to be the first full-time WWE wrestler that's done two movies with A-listers back-to-back. I think it's a great look for the company," he continued.

McIntyre noted he had a bunch of notes to plead his case to WWE about extending his absence but WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque was fine with McIntyre being away due to it being a great opportunity.

The Last Druid was filmed in Spain from May to August 2026. The movie focuses on a Roman emperor discovering a druid stronghold in the mountains of Caledonia. Russell Crowe will pay a Celtic elder who must fight against the Roman Empire to save his people from annihilation.

In addition to Highlander and The Last Druid, McIntyre has filmed a WWE micro drama and he was announced for the voice cast of Disney's Hexed this week.

Drew McIntyre has been training for a planned WWE return and the 41-year-old may end up returning on Monday Night Raw, having been a part of SmackDown since early 2025.

H/T F4WOnline