Drew McIntyre has taken another visible step toward an eventual return to WWE competition.

On Friday, September 25, McIntyre shared video of himself training in a wrestling ring at Rusev’s Kech Pro Wrestling Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. The footage showed McIntyre getting ring work in while he remains away from WWE programming.

McIntyre has not appeared for WWE since WrestleMania 42, where he was defeated by Jacob Fatu in an Unsanctioned Match. The training footage does not establish a return date, a brand assignment, or a planned opponent, but it does confirm that McIntyre is actively spending time in the ring during his hiatus.

McIntyre Has Been Away Since WrestleMania 42

The last major chapter in McIntyre’s WWE run came at WrestleMania 42 against Jacob Fatu. Their Unsanctioned Match positioned the bout outside the usual framework of a standard sanctioned contest, raising the stakes for a confrontation between two imposing and physical competitors.

For more background on this topic, read Xelina Reflects on Being ‘Miserable’ Near the End of WWE Run.

Fatu emerged victorious, and McIntyre has been absent from WWE television in the period since that loss. WWE has not announced when he will resume appearing on its programming.

That absence has naturally left room for questions about what McIntyre’s next direction could be once he does come back. A performer with McIntyre’s standing can immediately affect the title picture, alter an ongoing rivalry, or become central to a broader brand storyline. At this stage, however, the only confirmed development is his return to in-ring training in Nashville.

It is also important to separate training activity from an official comeback announcement. Wrestlers frequently maintain or rebuild ring conditioning away from television, and a video from a training facility does not necessarily mean a WWE appearance is imminent. Still, McIntyre’s decision to share the session publicly gives fans a clear indication that he is continuing to work on his craft while away from the weekly shows.

Training at Rusev’s Kech Pro Wrestling Academy

McIntyre’s session took place at Rusev’s Kech Pro Wrestling Academy in Nashville. The setting brings together two wrestlers whose careers have long intersected within WWE, while also highlighting the value that established performers place on ring repetition outside of a televised schedule.

For a veteran performer, training is about more than simply returning to the ropes after time away. Ring timing, movement, conditioning, balance, and the ability to execute safely with another wrestler are all elements that require continued attention. Even when a wrestler is physically active through other projects and workouts, time in a ring remains its own specific form of preparation.

The video is therefore notable not because it confirms a particular match, but because it shows McIntyre doing the practical work associated with staying ready for competition. WWE fans have seen McIntyre thrive in major-event environments, but every return begins with preparation well before an entrance theme plays in an arena.

McIntyre has built much of his WWE identity around intensity and physical credibility. Whether he is pursuing championships, battling rivals in personal-feud matches, or operating in a prominent role on a major card, his presentation depends heavily on forceful in-ring work. Keeping that edge sharp is especially significant after a lengthy stretch away from weekly television.

Film Work Has Filled Part of McIntyre’s Time Away

While absent from WWE, McIntyre has also expanded his work outside the ring. He has filmed roles for Highlander and The Last Druid, with both projects expected to be released in 2027.

The acting work gives McIntyre another major professional focus during a period in which he has not been active on WWE television. His training video now adds wrestling preparation to the picture, demonstrating that his time away has included both film commitments and a return to in-ring activity.

There is no indication that the film projects have established a specific WWE timetable, nor has any date been announced for McIntyre’s return. Performers routinely balance outside work with wrestling obligations in different ways, and McIntyre’s current situation should not be read as confirmation of any unannounced plan.

What is clear is that his profile remains significant across multiple spaces. McIntyre’s WWE history gives any eventual comeback immediate relevance, while his film work continues to broaden his public presence beyond the company’s weekly programming.

What a Return Could Mean for WWE

McIntyre’s eventual reappearance will invite immediate attention because of the circumstances surrounding his departure. He was last seen losing an Unsanctioned Match to Jacob Fatu, a result that leaves a natural point of reference should WWE choose to revisit their rivalry.

That does not mean a Fatu rematch has been announced. No such match or program has been confirmed. But the WrestleMania 42 result will remain part of the story whenever McIntyre next returns, particularly if WWE frames his absence as time spent regrouping after a difficult defeat.

McIntyre’s place on a WWE roster also makes him a credible threat in virtually any major scenario. His experience at the top level, his physical presence, and his ability to compete in hard-hitting matches mean he does not need an extended rebuilding process to feel important. A return can be positioned as a response to a past loss, a fresh challenge against another leading name, or an abrupt move into a championship chase.

At the same time, there is no need to rush beyond the information that is available. The training session is a meaningful update, but it is not an official declaration of McIntyre’s next storyline. WWE has not confirmed the date, location, or circumstances of his return, and McIntyre has not announced a specific target.

Fans Still Await an Official WWE Update

For now, McIntyre’s social media post offers the most concrete sign of wrestling-related activity since his WrestleMania 42 appearance. He is back in a ring, putting in training at Kech Pro Wrestling Academy, and continuing to prepare while his WWE future remains unannounced.

The distinction matters. There is a difference between being ready and being scheduled, and no official WWE programming plans for McIntyre have been made public. Until that changes, any discussion of his first appearance back, his potential opponent, or his brand placement remains speculation.

Still, the image of McIntyre training is likely to resonate with fans who have followed his career through its many turns. His last WWE match ended in defeat to Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 42, but his latest public wrestling update is not one of retreat. It is a look at a former WWE Champion working in the ring and maintaining the tools that made him a featured player on major stages.

McIntyre’s film work on Highlander and The Last Druid will continue to be part of his schedule, with those releases anticipated in 2027. In the nearer term, his training footage has renewed focus on the question WWE fans have been asking since WrestleMania 42: when Drew McIntyre will make his next appearance.

There is not yet an answer to that question. But McIntyre’s latest session in Nashville makes one thing clear: while he remains off WWE television, he is getting his reps in.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.