Backstage Update: Former WWE Champion Not Returning Anytime Soon

One of the top superstars on the WWE SmackDown roster will reportedly be away from television for the foreseeable future.

Last week, a report indicated that former WWE Champions Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre would return for SummerSlam 2026. The marquee pay-per-view will be held during the Aug. 1-2 weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

McIntyre has been on hiatus from WWE to film Highlander, a fantasy-action film starring Henry Cavill, Marisa Abela, Russell Crowe and WWE Hall of Famer Dave Bautista. As for Orton, the 46-year-old is taking time off to recover from a lingering back injury.

But in an update, Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reports that McIntyre will not be returning to WWE "anytime soon." Johnson poured cold water over speculation that the 41-year-old would be back for SummerSlam.

"While online reports suggested McIntyre was set for a return leading into SummerSlam, those rumors were completely inaccurate as there has been nothing on the table for McIntyre creatively, and for good reason," Johnson wrote.

Johnson's report comes shortly after Deadline reported that McIntyre would star in another film with Crowe, The Last Druid. Filming for the movie has already begun.

Drew McIntyre's Absence Leaves Opens up Opportunities for Other Wrestlers

Last week, another report indicated that WWE would move CM Punk to the SmackDown brand upon his return to television. Meltzer cited the need for WWE to balance its rosters, with Raw featuring more main-event-caliber talent.

McIntyre will be away for a long period, and CM Punk only wrestles on a part-time basis. That leaves SmackDown with limited options to challenge WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, so McIntyre's absence opens the door for other stars on the blue brand.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 1:19 PM.