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WWE Adds Grudge Match To WrestleMania 41 Card

By John Canton • Published 10th April 2025
WWE WrestleMania Vegas Logo over blurred Bloodline Bronson Reed

A match between two WWE SmackDown rivals has officially been added to the WrestleMania 41 card.

The rivalry between former WWE World Champions Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest started at WrestleMania 40 when Priest cashed in Money in the Bank on McIntyre to become a World Champion for the first time. CM Punk also played a part in that as well due to his issues with McIntyre.

As the year progressed, McIntyre and Priest had more matches at Money in the Bank and Clash in the Castle, but McIntyre failed to get the title back from Priest because of Punk’s involvement.

Priest got the upper hand on McIntyre at this year’s Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, so the two men have been on a collision course. During a backstage attack on WWE SmackDown on March 28th, Damian Priest attacked Drew McIntyre as payback for past attacks by McIntyre. Priest slammed McIntyre back first onto a car windshield. Some glass went into McIntrye’s eye during the incident.

Drew McIntyre admitted earlier this week that the eye injury was a serious concern, and the match may not happen.

“Part of the glass, where I landed on the windshield, bounced up and landed directly in my eyeball, I’m currently sporting the patch, hoping I can figure this thing out and get myself on WrestleMania. It’s a fight against time right now. It didn’t feel that bad.

I’ve never landed on a windshield in my life. He probably should’ve thrown me on top of the car or the concrete to hurt more. I’ve never landed on a windshield, but the glass is designed to spider out. I was wearing a leather jacket so thankfully I didn’t get all cut up.

The fall wasn’t great, but not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Some debris came up in the air and landed straight in my eye, so I’m dealing with that right now.

“The eye thing wasn’t supposed to happen. I’m not supposed to be sitting here right now with an eyepatch on, yet, I am.”

Nick Aldis Adds Drew McIntyre-Damian Priest Match To WWE WrestleMania 41

The health of McIntyre’s eye likely improved as the week went on because on social media, WWE SmackDown GM Nick Aldis announced that McIntyre will face Priest at WrestleMania 41.

There are now 11 matches scheduled for WrestleMania 41 on April 19 & April 20 in Las Vegas.

* Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. John Cena

* CM Punk (w/Paul Heyman) vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins

* WWE Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY (c) vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley

* WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER (c) vs. Jey Uso

* WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Charlotte Flair

* AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul

* United States Championship: LA Knight (c) vs. Jacob Fatu

* Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Penta vs. Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio

* Naomi vs. Jade Cargill

* Rey Mysterio vs. El Grande Americano

* Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest

It has been reported that WWE WrestleMania 41 will likely have 14 or 15 matches on the card, which is similar to the last two years.