18 Ups & 15 Downs For WWE In 2023

4. Drew’s Slow Burn

WWE Crown Jewel 2023 Drew McIntyre
WWE.com

Much has been written in the Raw Ups and Downs columns about Drew McIntyre’s multi-layered, slow-burn heel turn that took place this fall, and all of it is well-deserved praise.

McIntyre has been one of the most well-developed, multifaceted characters WWE has written in years. Rather than simply turning heel because he’s frustrated with his position in the company or just taking shortcuts because he keeps coming up short, the Scottish Warrior has justified his actions the entire way, using reasoning rooted in reality, making him a more believable character.

The well-written arc hasn’t precluded fans from turning on McIntyre, but it’s made them more invested in him, so they’re booing from a position of frustration in him giving in to heelish tendencies rather than jeering because he’s billed as a bad guy.

It remains to be seen where this is going long-term for Drew, whose contract is up in the coming months, but for now, this has been a really enjoyable ride.

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Scott is a former journalist and longtime wrestling fan who was smart enough to abandon WCW during the Monday Night Wars the same time as the Radicalz. He fortunately became a fan in time for WrestleMania III and came back as a fan after a long high school hiatus before WM XIV. Monday nights in the Carlson household are reserved for viewing Raw -- for better or worse.