WrestleMania Countdown: Gunther vs. Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre – WrestleMania 39

Photo Credit: Cageside Seats

The wrestling staff of Back Sports Page have carefully selected what they believe to be the top 41 matches in WrestleMania history. Presented in chronological order, this series will detail the backstory, match review, and aftermath of each match, along with how the outcomes shaped the careers of those involved.

Backstory:

WrestleMania is always better when they have big, meaty men slapping meat! WrestleMania 39 was home to a vicious fight, as Gunther defended the WWE Intercontinental Championship in a triple-threat match against Sheamus and Drew McIntyre. Gunther was a little under a year into his record-breaking Intercontinental Championship reign. He showed dominance against any challenger, including Sheamus, in a critically acclaimed match at Clash at the Castle 2022.

On a March episode of SmackDown!, a fatal five-way match was held to determine an opponent for Gunther at the show of shows. The match ended controversially, as a double pinfall, leading to a singles match between the two. Sheamus and McIntyre feuded earlier in the year as friends turned enemies before Clash at the Castle. Their eventual #1 contender’s match ended in a no contest when Imperium, Gunther’s stable, attacked both men. Afterwards, a triple threat match was set.

Match Review:

The match begins with a stare down, like three kaijus circling each other, waiting to strike. Gunther insinuates that McIntyre and Sheamus should begin proceedings, leading to a swift Claymore from the Scotsman. Then McIntyre and Sheamus let the fists fly. The strikes in this match are stiff and brutal. All three men become visibly more battered and bruised as the match wears on.

Alternating pairings of the competitor began the match beating the crap out of each other. McIntyre and Gunther ripped open Sheamus’ chest with chops. The three come together to begin the middle section of the slugfest. McIntyre and Sheamus then ganged up on the champion. They rekindled their friendship for a moment before they brawled with each other for the right to beat up Gunther. 

12 chops to Gunther’s chest from McIntyre finally drop the champion. Sheamus then got the upper hand on McIntyre and hit 29 Beats of the Bodhrán, forcing McIntyre to collapse on the apron. These men are beating themselves until they can’t stand, and they’re doing it to a standing ovation.

Multiple finishing maneuvers, including a middle rope White Noise from Sheamus onto Gunther, couldn’t put any of the men down for good. Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick on Gunther, but McIntyre pulls Sheamus out of the ring at two. They begin to batter each other with everything they have. The bitter rivalry proves to be more important than the championship. McIntyre and Sheamus beat each other to the point of collapsing. 

Sheamus hits one last Brogue Kick onto McIntyre and fights through exhaustion to cover his former friend, but Gunther jumps from the top rope to break up the pin. Gunther then powerbombs Sheamus onto McIntyre’s head before power bombing McIntyre, pinning the latter and retaining his championship. 

Aftermath:

• Gunther continued his critically acclaimed and historic reign with the Intercontinental championship until WrestleMania 40. He lost the championship to Sami Zayn in a storyline reminiscent of Rocky 4. He wouldn’t be without a championship for long, winning the King of the Ring tournament and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship shortly after at SummerSlam. He will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Jey Uso at WrestleMania 41.
• Sheamus and The Brawling Brutes defeated Imperium on SmackDown!, but the latter group and McIntyre would get drafted to Raw in the WWE Draft. Sheamus injured his shoulder in late 2023 and continued his pursuit of the Intercontinental title when he returned. This match is just one of many great ones in the Irishman’s late career renaissance.
• Drew McIntyre was drafted to Raw in the 2023 WWE Draft, returning to programming at Money in the Bank. He would continue his feud with Gunther, unsuccessfully challenging him for the World Heavyweight Championship. Despite a lack of championships in recent years, his five-minute World Heavyweight championship reign notwithstanding, McIntyre has cemented himself in WWE’s main event scene.