Going into 2009, McIntyre entered into a rivalry with Joe Hennig, but their first match in February ended in a double countout. McIntyre interfered in Hennig's match the following week, costing him the match. On 26 February, Hennig defeated McIntyre and went on that night to win the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship from Escobar. Their feud ended abruptly when Hennig vacated the title after an injury, causing McIntyre to be elevated into title contendership, beating Escobar for the vacant championship on 19 March. McIntyre regularly defended the title until 11 June, when Tyler Reks (the former Gabe Tuft) won the title in his second attempt. Later that month, McIntyre failed to win a 14-man battle royal for a chance to regain the title. On 25 June, McIntyre was set to team with O'Shaunessy against the returning Hennig and DJ Gabriel (the aforementioned "Sterling Jack" Gabriel), but when neither team would work together a four-way was booked, which O'Shaunessy won. McIntyre and O'Shaunessy both failed to win back the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship in mid-July from Reks. McIntyre received a singles opportunity the next day with the same result.