Drew McIntyre will earn the chance to win a WWE World Championship in front of his home fans at Clash at the Castle next month.
McIntyre, a three-time world champion in the company, recently put pen to paper on a new contract and is setting his sights on a longer reign with the belt than last time out.
At WrestleMania, he won the title from Seth Rollins, and cut an emotional figure at ringside, embracing his family before turning his attention to rival CM Punk.
Injured, Punk was on commentary for the bout, and remained seated as McIntyre gloated. That was until he stepped up and began beating his foe, teeing up Damian Priest to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase.
Fast forward about 30 seconds and McIntyre’s title was gone. Excellent storytelling gave a number of stars their moments that night in Philadelphia, and set up the future for the belt going into some major events.
Drew McIntyre could win back the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Clash at the Castle in Scotland next month
He will face Damian Priest (left), the man that beat him for the title, on home turf in Glasgow
The pair have exchanged words on a number of occasions with their match now official
That brings us to June 15. McIntyre, portraying a more villainous character these days, has been booed out of buildings since ‘Mania. That won’t happen in Scotland.
When the 38-year-old, born in Ayr, leads WWE’s charge to Cash At The Castle in Glasgow, he’ll be the biggest hero in the building.
Priest is a villain – or a heel – too, but has on occasions shown good – babyface – tendencies. He will be the heel in Scotland.
He has done well as world champion. Better than many thought he would. It feels as though this is McIntyre’s time, though. One of the biggest stars in the company winning the big one on home turf.
King of the Ring winner Gunther was involved in the pair’s face-off on Monday. He has earnt himself a shot at a championship at SummerSlam on August 3, no matter who the champion is, either belt, though it will likely be this one.
‘The Scottish Warrior’ versus Gunther is a big match. Two major players, but both heels, and it will be interesting to see how the feud and story plays out should it happen, assuming McIntyre wins in a little over two weeks’ time.
Such a scenario is not a given, however. McIntyre versus Punk seemed set in stone for SummerSlam, so where does that leave Gunther? Unlikely to challenge Cody Rhodes, McIntyre could therefore either lose or win and once again find himself dethroned relatively quickly.
McIntyre has been dealing with an elbow injury but is now fit to return to action. On Saturday, WWE boss Triple H confirmed the first match for Clash at the Castle, with Priest previously granting McIntyre a rematch.
The match is currently the only confirmed bout for the event, with more to be made soon
McIntyre lost his title moments after winning it at WrestleMania due to interference from CM Punk (left)
Other matches are yet to be added to the card, though storylines are starting to take shape for matches that could feature. Piper Niven, born in Kilbirnie, attacked WWE Women’s Champion Bayley on Friday, with it likely they will face off.
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will almost certainly perform, while Sheamus, who is from Ireland, has begun a feud with Ludwig Kaiser. Chad Gable, meanwhile, remains after the Intercontinental Championship.