WWE Raw 5 Takeaways: Drew McIntyre Beats Kurt Angle At His Own Game

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1. Drew McIntyre Establishing Himself As An Elite Heel

Not many superstars in WWE history have taken a bigger image change from their first run in the company to their latest run than Drew McIntyre.  He was pegged the chosen one back in 2009/2010, but it was clear he wasn’t quite ready for the big time at that point.

However, after getting released by the WWE a few years back, McIntyre got better in other promotions and eventually made his way back to the WWE in NXT and eventually, to the main roster.  He has been tearing it up on the Raw brand with Dolph Ziggler in recent months, but last night was a turning point in the career of The Scottish Psychopath.

McIntyre faced Kurt Angle in the main event of last night’s show after it was originally supposed to be Angle vs. Baron Corbin.  The meaning of the match didn’t change, however, and if Angle would win, he would become the team captain of Raw’s Survivor Series team.  However, this match wouldn’t turn out well for The Olympic Gold Medalist.

Angle was grounded throughout much of the match by the powerful McIntyre, but what set this match apart was the storytelling involved.  McIntyre was cold, calculated, and downright disrespectful verbally and physically to Angle, capping it off with an Angle Slam and Ankle Lock that eventually made Angle tap out.  It was such a convincing moment for McIntyre, and he is developing into a top-level heel before our very eyes.

Making a hall of famer tap out to his own move is a statement, but The Scottish Psychopath is just getting started with his statements.