Drew McIntyre’s growing relationship with Russell Crowe may eventually extend beyond the film set and into a WWE ring.
McIntyre has spent significant time working alongside the Academy Award-winning actor while filming projects including Highlander and The Last Druid. The WWE star has spoken warmly about that experience in recent months, describing the value of being around Crowe and learning from an established figure in the movie industry. Now, McIntyre has revealed that Crowe was not merely interested in their professional connection behind the camera. The actor apparently entertained the idea of joining McIntyre in WWE for an angle that could have reached the company’s biggest stage.
During an appearance on The Joe Vulpis Podcast, McIntyre said Crowe became excited by the possibility of the two appearing together as allies. McIntyre explained that Crowe had ideas for a heel-oriented presentation, including the possibility of a manager or underling being added to the act.
“Russell was legitimately talking about he wanted to do something a couple of times. He got all excited about us doing something together on the same team and talked about WrestleMania or whatever. He talked about us having a manager, like an assistant lackey. It was more of a heel thing that he was coming up with, he had some great ideas. He was willing to do it. We have to talk with the bosses about the numbers because I’m assuming he’s not cheap [laughs].”
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Crowe’s WWE Interest Could Create a Major Celebrity Attraction
There is no indication that a Crowe appearance has been finalized, discussed in a formal capacity with WWE, or scheduled for any upcoming event. McIntyre’s comments instead underline that Crowe was open to the concept and had begun imagining what their pairing could look like. That distinction is important, particularly when the conversation involves a performer with Crowe’s profile and an event as enormous as WrestleMania.
Still, the fact that Crowe was actively proposing components of a character presentation gives the idea more substance than a routine passing mention. McIntyre did not describe a simple celebrity cameo in which Crowe would wave to the crowd, sit ringside, or deliver a brief congratulatory message. He described an actor interested in becoming part of the story, standing on the same side as McIntyre and leaning into a villainous role.
The notion of an “assistant lackey” is particularly revealing. It suggests Crowe was thinking in terms of pro wrestling’s theatrical structure: a featured star, a powerful associate, and an additional character who could serve as a target for audience reactions or a useful tool in advancing a feud. Such details fit the exaggerated, character-driven world WWE regularly presents, especially when major celebrities are involved.
McIntyre’s mention of WrestleMania also reflects the natural scale of a potential Crowe appearance. WWE’s flagship event has long been the company’s preferred destination for celebrities from film, television, sports, music, and popular culture. A star of Crowe’s stature appearing alongside a former WWE Champion would give the company an immediate mainstream talking point, while also giving McIntyre a unique layer to his on-screen persona.
A Partnership Built During McIntyre’s Expanding Film Work
The possibility is rooted in a friendship that developed while McIntyre expanded his work away from WWE. His involvement in Highlander and The Last Druid placed him in a setting far different from weekly television and premium live events, and it gave him the chance to work closely with Crowe over a period of months.
McIntyre has been open about how meaningful that time was. Rather than treating the acting work as a detached side project, he has characterized the experience as an opportunity to observe and learn. Crowe’s extensive career has included acclaimed dramatic performances, large-scale action films, historical epics, and projects requiring the kind of physical presence that McIntyre himself has brought to WWE for years.
That shared physicality may make the idea of a WWE collaboration easier to imagine. Crowe has built much of his screen identity around intensity, toughness, and authority. McIntyre has similarly become one of WWE’s most imposing figures, combining his 6-foot-5 frame and forceful presence with an ability to deliver direct, emotionally charged promos. As a unit, they would have an obvious visual identity even before a storyline was established.
McIntyre has also recently spoken about being focused on “Hollywood Drew,” a phrase that points to the balancing act now developing in his career. WWE remains his primary arena as an active performer, but his film work has created new possibilities and new relationships. A crossover involving Crowe would bring those two professional worlds together in a way that few WWE performers could replicate.
Why a Heel Direction Makes Sense
Crowe’s apparent preference for a heel presentation is notable because it suggests he understands the entertainment value of embracing the audience’s opposition rather than seeking automatic approval. Celebrity guests in WWE are often positioned as heroes, particularly when their role is limited to a one-night appearance. Pairing with McIntyre as antagonists could offer a different route.
A heel alliance would allow Crowe to play into the authority and confidence associated with his film career. Instead of presenting himself as a friendly guest, he could be framed as a renowned actor who believes his accomplishments place him above WWE’s roster and its audience. McIntyre, meanwhile, could serve as the dangerous enforcer and central in-ring threat behind that attitude.
The “same team” element McIntyre described would be crucial. Crowe would not necessarily need to wrestle for the act to work. WWE has a lengthy history of non-wrestling personalities affecting matches, delivering promos, accompanying talent to ringside, or helping create an occasion around a major rivalry. Crowe’s value would lie in his presence, his credibility as a global film star, and his connection to McIntyre rather than any expectation that he would become a full-time wrestling participant.
An additional manager or lackey, as Crowe envisioned, could also give the story flexibility. That person could take bumps, absorb consequences for the group’s actions, interfere when appropriate, or function as the more frequent television presence if Crowe’s schedule limited his availability. McIntyre did not identify anyone for that role, and no potential participant has been announced. But the concept itself demonstrates that the proposed act was being considered as more than a single scene.
The Business Reality Remains a Factor
McIntyre’s joking comment that Crowe is likely “not cheap” gets to the practical obstacle behind almost every major celebrity appearance. Enthusiasm alone does not guarantee that a deal can be completed. WWE would need to determine whether the timing, creative direction, compensation, promotional commitments, and Crowe’s existing film schedule all align.
For a performer of Crowe’s standing, any WWE involvement would likely require careful planning. A WrestleMania-related appearance would demand coordination well in advance, especially if WWE wanted to use Crowe in promotional material, television segments, or a storyline that developed over several weeks. Film productions and release schedules can be complex, while WWE’s programming calendar is relentless and often changes direction as rivalries evolve.
McIntyre’s wording makes clear that the financial conversation would have to happen with WWE leadership before anything could move forward. He did not present the appearance as imminent. He presented it as an idea that had generated genuine excitement on Crowe’s side and could become possible if the relevant discussions ever take place.
That is enough to make the prospect intriguing, but it is not confirmation of a deal. For now, there is no announced Crowe appearance, no confirmed WrestleMania role, and no indication that WWE creative has assigned McIntyre to a storyline involving the actor.
What a Russell Crowe Appearance Would Mean for McIntyre
For McIntyre, a Crowe partnership would be more than a celebrity attachment. It would provide a visible connection between his established WWE success and his ambitions in film. WWE audiences have watched McIntyre evolve through multiple stages of his career, from his initial run with the company to his return as a revitalized main-event player and former world champion. His current work in movies adds another dimension to that story.
Using Crowe on WWE programming could reinforce the image of McIntyre as a talent whose reach extends beyond wrestling. At the same time, McIntyre’s presence would give Crowe a credible link into WWE’s world. Their working relationship is not a randomly assembled promotional pairing; it developed through shared time on productions and a friendship McIntyre has repeatedly praised.
Whether that friendship ever produces a WWE moment remains to be seen. McIntyre’s comments establish that Crowe was willing to consider it, had ideas for it, and was specifically interested in joining forces rather than appearing as an outsider. If the business and scheduling pieces ever fall into place, WWE could have a ready-made celebrity angle with a distinctly villainous edge.
Until then, McIntyre’s focus appears to remain divided between his WWE career and the next chapter of “Hollywood Drew.” The possibility of Russell Crowe entering that WWE chapter is real enough to discuss, but it remains just that: a possibility, not an announced plan.
Darryl Polo
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.