During the Clash at the Castle event in Scotland, CM Punk thwarted McIntyre’s efforts to secure the WWE World Heavyweight Title from Damian Priest. This was achieved by disrupting a pin count and delivering a lower-body strike to McIntyre.
At an after-show press meeting, Punk discussed his actions. He shared,
“I’m not angry because I suffered an injury. Mishaps occur. This is a full-on contact game. We’re sportsmen. Things go awry frequently. I would never hope another athlete gets injured, no matter my feelings towards him. I wish for Drew McIntyre to return to full strength after that exhausting encounter. I will never desire for another sportsman to experience an injury that deprives them of what they love and what provides for their family. My grudge against Drew isn’t for the injury. It’s because he was gloating about it. He claimed he prayed for it. Now, I’m going to hunt him. As long as I am alive he will never be champion in this place. Not while we belong to the same franchise, not while we’re part of the same organization. As long as I am breathing, Drew McIntyre will never, and I assure you, unlike the hollow promise to his ailing wife, who I sincerely hope is getting better, [Kaitlyn], recover soon. I vow he’s never going to be a champion ever again.”
On the following Monday’s RAW event, McIntyre declared he had resigned from WWE according to the scripted plot.