In the run-up to Monday Night RAW’s episode from Hartford, Connecticut, Drew McIntyre revealed that he still hadn’t received the all-clear from the medical personnel to participate in the men’s tournament on the way to WWE King and Queen of the Ring. Finn Balor came out tonight alongside Judgment Day to boast a potential first-round lead.

General manager Adam Pearce had a heated exchange with McIntyre, where he told him that the Scotsman would not be a part of the tournament. To make matters worse for McIntyre, Jey Uso emerged as McIntyre’s replacement. Uso took the win against Finn Balor as the Scotsman watched the bout with him, lamenting his plight. But what if we tell you that this is just a storyline, and Drew McIntyre has not suffered an injury issue? Well, we got more on this front thanks to a renowned insider.

Drew McIntyre’s injury called out as Kayfabe

The Scottish Warrior has succumbed to an injury since WrestleMania XL when he sprained his right elbow while confronting CM Punk. Despite this, Drew McIntyre continues to make appearances with his elbow protected. But this time he had to sit out as Jey Uso took his spot at the KOTR tournament. On the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Podcast, hosts Bryan Alvarez & Mike Sempervive talked about all current WWE storylines. During this conversation, they suggested that the Scotsman’s injury is a kayfabe one to build his storyline further with Punk and Jay Uso.

They said, “McIntyre has got a bad elbow but he’s had a bad elbow for a while. And he was wrestling with his bad elbow. So I think if you look at like there’s five people that were scheduled for this tournament that ended up being pulled due to injury and I think that three of them were legit injuries and two of them were storyline injuries. And the Drew McIntyre injury I believe he could have worked King of the Ring. I think this is all storyline.”

They continued, “Because they’ve turned it into a major part of the storyline where Drew McIntyre got pulled from the tournament after he mentioned his elbow. And then he was replaced by the guy he hates more than anybody, except CM Punk, Jey. So he’s been complaining about this the entire tournament. Which is another reason by the way that I think Jey is going to win. Because now Drew is even more furious because the guy that replaced him won the entire tournament. So I think Jey was always is going to be in the tournament”

The Drew McIntyre saga seems to have no end. And it doesn’t look like it will end anytime soon, at least until he faces his arch-nemesis, CM Punk. This feud has surely resulted in a change in his character and led him to become one of the company’s top heels. As a result, he often receives criticism from the commentary team. And this also gives him a new rival he wants to beat down. And that is none other than Michael Cole.

Drew McIntyre criticizes Michael Cole’s work

In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, The Scottish Warrior brought up Cole’s comments in recent weeks and expressed that he considers them inappropriate. McIntyre stated that Cole has significant control over the narrative within WWE and that his comments can influence viewers’ perceptions.

“I suggest you talk to Michael Cole. He has the most powerful voice in WWE. Control the narrative of WWE… He puts the thoughts in your head that you are constantly thinking. He once told them, ‘Drew McIntyre is the centerpiece of WWE. He got us out of the pandemic.’ I did and these days he calls me delusional. He calls me a hypocrite.” However, he followed it up with a warning for the noted commentator, saying that he may start beating him around.

“He controls the narrative of WWE, and right now, I don’t like the messages he’s throwing out about Drew McIntyre. I suggest you put yourself in his ear, or I’m going to get in his face and start beating him.” Despite not having the medical clearance to compete, Drew McIntyre continues to make appearances on WWE programming and develop his rivalry with CM Punk. The two are expected to face off once they are both medically cleared. But will we get to see Cole in the ring again? A match like he had with Jerry the King Lawler, but this time against McIntyre? What do you make of the revelation that the Scotsman’s injury might not be legit? Let us know in the comments.