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.
