5 dream Drew McIntyre matches with AEW stars we never got to see

Drew McIntyre has traveled all around the world during his two-decade-long stay in the wrestling business. After his shocking release from WWE in 2014, The Scottish Warrior embarked on a journey to reinvent himself, which took him to several different promotions across the globe.

The former WWE Champion fought several exciting talents outside WWE, which included a few AEW Superstars as well. Even after McIntyre's eventual WWE return in 2017, The Chosen One had altercations with some current AEW talents, who soon left WWE for the Jacksonville-based promotion.

Interestingly, some prominent names in All Elite Wrestling are yet to get a piece of the Scottish Warrior. With McIntyre recently turning down a potential AEW contract and choosing to stay with WWE, we may never get to see these matches transpire.

In this article, let's look at five AEW stars Drew McIntyre has never faced.

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#5. Swerve Strickland could have been a great opponent for the former NXT Champion.

At a time when Drew McIntyre was grinding on the indie circuit, Swerve Strickland had gradually begun to get recognition for his work in MLW, PWG, and Lucha Underground.

The Killshot soon followed The Scottish Psychopath into WWE, where he found immense success as part of the NXT roster. In 2022, The current AEW World Champion was called up to SmackDown, the same brand Drew McIntyre was signed to. Unfortunately, Strickland was soon handed his release from the company, denying him a chance to battle McIntyre.

In a recent interview, The Killshot expressed his desire to have The Chosen One compete in AEW. Strickland applauded the former WWE Champion for his ability to adapt to any wrestling landscape and deemed him a major fit for the Jacksonville promotion.

With McIntyre recently striking a new deal with WWE, Strickland may have to wait a few years before he gets his hands on the Scottish Psychopath.

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#4. Claudio Castagnoli never squared off with The Chosen One

Claudio Castagnoli(fka Cesaro) was a part of WWE for over a decade. Although the Swiss Superman had some hard-hitting battles with Sheamus, Aleister Black (now known as Malakai Black), and Roman Reigns, among others, his paths never collided with Drew McIntyre.

It is a travesty that fans never got to witness Castagnoli take on McIntyre in a singles encounter. Known for their seasoned striking abilities and insane strength, the duo could have produced an instant classic inside the squared circle. The two stars did team up against The New Day in 2019, which is one of the only interactions they ever had.

AEW fans were close to having McIntyre and Claudio in the same company earlier this year. However, the former Intercontinental Champion decided to stay with WWE, crushing the possibility of a bout with the Master of the Swing.

At the moment, both Drew and Claudio find themselves in a stable position in their respective promotions. While McIntyre is one of WWE’s premier attractions, Castagnoli is part of one of AEW's most dominant factions, The Blackpool Combat Club.

#3. Samoa Joe has an infamous history with Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre and Samoa Joe are no strangers to each other. Despite not facing each other in a singles contest, there is some bad blood between the two men. At Survivor Series 2018, McIntyre and Joe represented RAW and SmackDown, respectively, in the traditional five-on-five Elimination Tag Team match.

Samoa Joe vs. Drew McIntyre could have been an exciting matchup for the AEW audience. [Image credits: WWE Gallery]

In the starting moments of the contest, The Destroyer blindsided the Scottish star from behind, before locking him in the Coquina Clutch. McIntyre barely escaped the submission maneuver to deliver a Claymore to Joe. The RAW star then pinned his lifeless opponent to score the first elimination of the match.

Considering the genuine animosity between the two individuals, it is surprising that WWE never booked this match for any pay-per-view. If McIntyre had signed with All Elite Wrestling, the two stars could have had the chance to settle their scores.

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#2. Kenny Omega could have given Drew McIntyre a run for his money

Kenny Omega has been exceptional in All Elite Wrestling. The Cleaner has appeared as the gatekeeper of the Jacksonville-based promotion, having churned out classics with newcomers like Bryan Danielson and Will Ospreay.

Although Drew McIntyre has faced a plethora of talented individuals, he has never battled someone of Omega's kind. An impressively agile athlete, The Best Bout Machine also has the required strength to annihilate his opponents.

Had The Scottish Warrior signed with All Elite Wrestling, he would have surely gotten his limits tested against the former AEW World Champion. It would have been an intriguing clash of styles, which could have blown the minds of the AEW audience.

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#1. MJF would have loved to battle Drew McIntyre

In recent years, MJF has emerged as one of the most brilliant heels in the wrestling arena. The star is amongst the few stars who could generate genuine heat in the modern era of pro wrestling.

The Salt of the Earth is equally excellent inside the squared circle, which makes him a serious threat to any opponent. However, MJF could find his back against the wall if he ever squares off with Drew McIntyre.

The Scottish Warrior has collided with several strong heels in recent years. Stars such as Bobby Lashley, Baron Corbin, and Randy Orton brought hell upon McIntyre, only to be thwarted by The Chosen One in the end.

Considering their prowess at playing their respective roles, MJF vs. Drew McIntyre could have been a clash for the ages.