Drew McIntyre has shut down any discussion regarding his recent attendance at Vince McMahon’s 80th birthday party. When asked about the event by Adam’s Apple, The Scottish Warrior was dismissive, stating, “So I’m not going to comment on it on the internet, am I?” McIntyre was one of several current and former WWE stars present at the private celebration for the former chairman, which took place on August 24.
McIntyre’s presence at the party is notable given his complex history with McMahon. In 2009, McMahon personally introduced him as “The Chosen One,” a future world champion. After an initial run that included a 161-day reign as Intercontinental Champion, McIntyre’s push faded, and he was eventually released from the company on June 12, 2014. Following a successful rebuilding period on the independent circuit, he returned to WWE in 2017 and has since become a multiple-time world champion.
While McIntyre remained silent on the details, reports from earlier this week confirmed he was joined at the party by other prominent figures, including John Cena, The Undertaker, Sheamus, JBL, and Bruce Prichard. A photo, which was briefly posted and then deleted by Jerry “The King” Lawler, also showed The Miz, Maryse, and Titus O’Neil at the gathering.
The celebration was a private affair held at upscale venues in Manhattan, featuring performances from Kid Rock and AC/DC. Despite efforts to maintain privacy, information about the guest list and atmosphere became public. WWE had no official involvement in the event, and when talent inquired about attending, they were reportedly told it was a matter of personal choice.
The reaction within the company to the celebration appears to be divided. One source told Fightful, “A lot of people here still feel like they owe Vince something, even though he made his money back on them tenfold.” Others have taken a different stance, with some talent reportedly waiting for the outcome of the Janel Grant lawsuit before deciding on future contact with McMahon. Another wrestler who did not attend noted that if they had faced similar allegations, McMahon would have fired them without a second thought.
The party took place against the backdrop of McMahon’s resignation from TKO in January 2024 following allegations of sexual misconduct and trafficking in a lawsuit filed by a former employee. He has since sold all of his remaining stock in the company, and WWE sources have stated there is “no desire” for him to return in any capacity.