Drew McIntyre faces uncertainty about his participation in WWE SummerSlam after encountering serious travel problems in the UK. The Scottish warrior was prevented from boarding his flight back to the United States due to missing passport documentation, disrupting his preparations for the major event.
McIntyre and Logan Paul have been engaged in a heated feud with Randy Orton and Jelly Roll on SmackDown, building up to a tag team match scheduled for the first night of WWE’s inaugural two-night SummerSlam event. However, McIntyre’s unexpected travel complications may force changes to this highly anticipated showdown.
The Passport Issue Leaves Drew McIntyre Stranded in England
McIntyre had traveled to the UK to attend a close friend’s wedding but ran into trouble when attempting to return to America. At the airport, he was stopped from boarding because he did not have his United States passport with him. The situation was particularly frustrating because McIntyre has lived in the US for many years and was carrying other identification such as his global entry card and his original passport, yet the airline staff refused to allow him to board.
In a candid video posted on X from rural England, McIntyre expressed his disbelief and frustration while surrounded by the countryside, far from the American training facilities he needed to prepare for SummerSlam.
“It’s quite the week I’ve had, you want to know how it’s been capped off? I can’t get back in America, they wouldn’t let me board my flight. Look at this scenic countryside… does that look like an American scenic countryside? No. I’m in England still, at my buddy’s wedding. What a wedding it was… planned to go back and train for SummerSlam, but no, no, no, no, no… I got blocked. Wife and I walked up to the gate, trying to check-in. Always goes perfectly fine, not this time. ‘Drew, you don’t have your United States passport. I know who you are, I know you’ve lived there for a long time, I know you’re showing me pictures of your passport, and your global entry, and your… it don’t matter, I know exactly who you are, your property and the likes, but no, we can’t let you in the country, buddy. We can’t let you in the country.’ So, my wife and I panic. We say, ‘We’ve got a sick animal at home, we’re good people, we care about our animals, we care about people!’ I’m like, ‘Go ahead, babe. Don’t think about me… leave me behind. Leave me to die, behind. It’s OK!’ She has to go against her will, goes back home, looks after the cat.”
—Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
McIntyre highlighted the irony of his predicament by noting he was stuck “cutting a promo with cows” in the middle of the English countryside instead of training at home. The impact on his conditioning and readiness for SummerSlam cannot be overstated.
Drew McIntyre Accuses Jelly Roll of Sabotaging His Return
While dealing with the travel setback, McIntyre used the moment to intensify his feud with Jelly Roll, suggesting that the rapper might have connections that contributed to his being stranded. McIntyre hinted that Jelly Roll aims to disrupt his training and prevent him from performing at his peak during SummerSlam week.
In his video, he fired a sharp message directly at Jelly Roll, blending his frustrations with storyline tensions:
“Here I am, so what happened? What changed this trip? Jelly Roll… you know somebody? Got some connection? You got your 15 minutes of fame right now, you can get away with some stuff. You’re hot, soon you will not be, so you’re getting it in while you can. Yeah, you realized when I took off my shirt on SmackDown, you went, ‘Oh, my God! All that aura, I’m screwed!’ So, you’re gonna scr*w up my training for SummerSlam Week? Why am I in a field? I don’t know why I’m in a field, but I can tell you one thing: when this is all over, I’m gonna get back, I’m gonna drop you Jelly Roll. I’m gonna make you pay, and eventually you’re gonna gain all that weight back. You’re gonna look like one of these f***ers [cows in the background].”
—Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
This ongoing conflict adds fuel to the rivalry narrative, but more critically, McIntyre’s delayed return puts WWE in a difficult position. If he cannot get back in time, WWE might have to either pull him from the match or find a substitute partner for Logan Paul, disrupting storyline plans on one of WWE’s busiest nights.
McIntyre himself acknowledged the precarious nature of the situation, posting that there was a
“good chance I don’t make #SummerSlam.”
The Potential Implications for WWE SummerSlam
Drew McIntyre’s travel troubles highlight the unpredictable challenges that can affect major live events like WWE SummerSlam. As one of WWE’s top performers, especially with a current storyline that has drawn significant fan interest, his absence could shift the event’s dynamic substantially.
If McIntyre remains in the UK beyond the event date, WWE may need to scramble to rearrange the match card, either replacing him or canceling the matchup with Logan Paul against Randy Orton and Jelly Roll. This would impact not only story continuity but also ticket sales and fan expectations.
The incident emphasizes the critical importance of logistical details such as passport validity for international performers. Given McIntyre’s significant role in recent WWE programming, his situation could serve as a cautionary tale for wrestlers traveling abroad during key event preparations.
Additional WWE Developments Leading Up to SummerSlam
Beyond McIntyre’s situation, several other WWE narratives and matches are shaping SummerSlam and other upcoming events. Cody Rhodes has expressed readiness to face John Cena at SummerSlam 2025, building anticipation for that marquee encounter.
Meanwhile, Drew McIntyre recently revealed he had nearly missed a major WrestleMania XL match against Seth Rollins due to injury, demonstrating his resilience and dedication despite physical setbacks. This history adds weight to concerns about his current travel difficulties.
Other prominent stars such as Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Gunther have been announced for WWE Raw’s July 28 episode, maintaining momentum for WWE programming in the run-up to SummerSlam.
In the wider wrestling community, WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has been credited by colleagues for significant influence, while other former WWE Superstars have addressed storyline challenges, emphasizing the sport’s evolving narrative landscape.
Rising Tensions as WWE’s Summer Event Approaches
Drew McIntyre’s predicament injects tension and uncertainty into an already intense lead-up to SummerSlam. As McIntyre struggles to resolve his passport issues and return to the US, WWE fans and officials alike await updates anxiously. Any changes to the card will have ripple effects across ongoing storylines and future WWE events.
The importance of McIntyre within WWE’s roster and storylines makes his potential absence significant, highlighting how off-ring complications can influence major wrestling events. For now, the wrestling world watches closely to see if The Scottish Warrior overcomes these obstacles to compete on wrestling’s grand summer stage.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is WrestleMania or SummerSlam bigger?
A. SummerSlam is a professional wrestling show. WWE, the biggest wrestling company, has hosted it every year since 1988. It is nicknamed “The Biggest Party of the Summer.” Among WWE events, only WrestleMania is bigger.
Q. Is SummerSlam 2025 2 nights?
A. You can now buy single tickets for the first two-night SummerSlam held on August 2 and 3 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com.
Q. Is SummerSlam 2 nights in 2025?
A. SummerSlam is one of WWE’s top four major live events, like WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series. This year, it’s expanding to a two-night format for the first time.
Q. Will John Cena be in SummerSlam 2025?
A. At the upcoming SummerSlam, WWE icon John Cena will face Cody Rhodes again in a Street Fight. This rematch follows their WrestleMania encounter in April, where Cena beat Rhodes. Cena promised to “ruin wrestling” and plans to retire as the “Last Real Champion” with the title.
