Why Drew McIntyre Wrestled Big Show On WWE Raw

The Scot's first WWE Championship defence explained.

by Andy H Murray
Drew McIntyre Big Show
WWE

Drew McIntyre defeated Big Show in the main event of this week's Raw, notching his first successful WWE Championship defence since taking the strap from WrestleMania 36. It was a fun little scrap between the new Monday night kingpin and the gigantic veteran, and hey: Show even turned heel for the occasion. He never does that!

This bout was framed as taking place only 20 minutes after McIntyre had defeated Lesnar. It was effectively a "dark" 'Mania main event that aired on regular television rather than a Raw match, and it was presented this way to put Drew over huge.

Per a new report from PWInsider, WWE wanted to show that McIntyre could overcome a physical force like 'The World's Largest Athlete' so soon after felling 'The Beast Incarnate' to make him look as strong as they possibly could, having beaten two of the promotion's most imposing monsters in such quick succession.

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It seemed to work, as Dave Meltzer has reported significant viewership gains for the main event slot.

Big Show had last appeared for WWE in January, joining Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe in their war against Seth Rollins and his mob.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.