Since starting his second stint with the company in 2017, Drew McIntyre has developed into one of WWE’s best representatives for media appearances. There are several reasons for that, but chief among is McIntyre’s ability to give answers that make it impossible to tell if he’s in or out of character. And since adopting his truth-telling heel gimmick before Survivor Series 2023, it often seems Drew’s interview responses are coming from both the character and the performer behind it simultaneously.
McIntyre delivered a masterclass in this during his recent SummerSlam program, a storyline with Logan Paul against Randy Orton & Jelly Roll built in the “mainstream” almost as much as on WWE programming . His best work from the angle may have been his appearance on his tag partner’s uber-popular Impaulsive where took aim at another celebrity’s botched WWE run (Travis Scott), gave an honest-sounding answer on what he knew at the time about Seth Rollins’ “injury”, and delivered this critique of the WWE roster:
“These days, no offense, but 85% of our guys don’t look like they should be in WWE, My buddies — they’ll turn on the wrestling for a while to see what you’re up to. It’s cool to see people. ‘Oh, Logan Paul’s on there, and he’s killing it. You know, that Roman Reigns, what a freaking star.’ Like, that comes on the screen, comes right off the screen. You’re a freaking giant. There’s these other guys that look like they should be serving me my fast food, McDonald’s or whatever.”
“And my buddy’s like, ‘I could kick their ass. It takes me out of it.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, you know, they’re good at wrestling.’ And eventually, you’ll connect with them.’ ‘But I’m not gonna watch it long enough. I changed the channel.’
“It’s like, Jesus, guys, get in the frickin’ gym. At least get something that grabs your attention.”
In an appearance on Wrestling Republic’s Huge Pop! Radio with Donnie DaSilva and former WWE referee Jimmy Korderas, McIntyre was asked about that particular quote. He wasn’t backing down, or any marginally anyway:
“I don’t know why it was so controversial. The 85% — maybe I’m a little off. Maybe it’s like 82% of the roster. It’s like they don’t — they shouldn’t be WWE superstars.”
It’s not just their physique though. He finds them lacking in other ways, too:
“It would help to look like an athlete, my god. It’s like, you know, you’re in there — World Wrestling Entertainment. Wrestling’s still in there. Athletic endeavor. At least look like an athlete.”
He had a question for his colleagues who are known primarily/only for their ringwork:
“What’s going to make you stand out from the other guy that’s really good at wrestling or really good at high-flying — and what if a knee injury comes and you can’t do that style anymore?”
But before he was done, he landed a few more shots:
“Just freaking think about it and stand out. And also get in the damn gym. You’ve got all the free time in the world. You get paid a bunch of money now. Everybody makes money now. You get no freaking excuse — sitting on your couch eating pizza.”
Is McIntyre just working the internet fans? Or is he using his not-a-heel schtick to sneak his real opinion into some kayfabe answers?
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
