Drew McIntyre, a prominent WWE figure, recently expressed strong criticism regarding the current generation of WWE wrestlers. Speaking in an interview with The West Sport, McIntyre delivered blunt remarks about the youth roster, stating that the vast majority of them do not “look like wrestlers” and lack the qualities needed to capture the audience’s attention. Highlighting his dissatisfaction, McIntyre emphasized that 85% of the roster fail to meet his standards in terms of appearance and presence, signaling major concerns about WWE’s future talent pool.
The Road McIntyre Took and His Expectations for WWE Stars
After his initial WWE run concluded without the success he or the company had hoped for, McIntyre embarked on a rigorous journey of self-improvement. He spent several years competing in the independent wrestling circuit, working relentlessly to reach peak physical condition and hone his craft. His determination was clear: become so prominent and skilled that WWE would be compelled to re-sign him. This effort paid off when he returned to WWE three years later stronger and more prepared. However, McIntyre now feels that this same level of drive and humility is missing from many of the younger wrestlers currently on the roster.
Concerns About Appearance and Athleticism in the WWE Ranks
McIntyre’s critique focused heavily on the physical presentation of WWE’s new talent. He shared that many of his friends, unfamiliar with wrestling, have remarked that some roster members seem unthreatening or unimpressive.
“I have a lot of friends that tune into Netflix for the first time… and, like, ‘wait a minute, I could beat up this guy. My kid could probably beat up this guy.’ So some of our roster need to dial it in. Maybe start looking like athletes,”
McIntyre said.
“I’ve said it recently… 85% of the roster don’t look like wrestlers,” he stated. “I have a lot of friends that tune into Netflix for the first time… and, like, ‘wait a minute, I could beat up this guy. My kid could probably beat up this guy.’ So some of our roster need to dial it in. Maybe start looking like athletes.” —Drew McIntyre
Need for Individuality: Standing Out in the Wrestling World
While stressing that not every wrestler needs to resemble him physically, McIntyre argued that finding a unique persona or characteristic is crucial for any wrestler to succeed. He used WWE legend Rey Mysterio as an example of a smaller wrestler who managed to captivate audiences by embracing his distinct style and superhero-like persona. McIntyre encouraged younger wrestlers to develop something that immediately grabs fans’ attention.
“I’m not saying you all have to look like Drew McIntyre, because you’re not gonna, but at least think of something that makes you stand out. You got to grab people’s attention right away… You could be five foot eight and just have something about you that makes you stand out. Look at Rey Mysterio is a superhero… You gotta find your thing that makes you stand out.” —Drew McIntyre
Criticism of Youthful Attitudes Toward Learning and Advice
McIntyre also criticized younger wrestlers for their reluctance to seek advice from veteran performers or to truly listen when guidance is offered. He suggested that new talent often relies on social media praise rather than constructive feedback, which he sees as detrimental to their growth in the company. According to McIntyre, this attitude hampers their development and could hurt the overall quality of WWE programming.
“I give all this advice away for free in these interviews, because no one, like all the new guys listen to Twitter and it tells them how good they are. Oh I must be good. Twitter’s telling me I’m good,’ even though I’m not really on the show very often. You got all these vets here to ask, they don’t ask any advice… and they just don’t bloody listen.” —Drew McIntyre
Additional Perspectives on WWE’s Current Storylines and Wrestlers
Beyond his critique of young wrestlers, McIntyre commented on other WWE storylines, including the recent heel turn by veteran John Cena. McIntyre dismissed this change as ineffective, describing it as a waste of time and suggesting a match with Cena in his babyface persona would be more desirable before Cena’s eventual retirement. This reflects McIntyre’s belief that WWE should focus on impactful characters and meaningful story arcs to engage viewers.
The critical view McIntyre holds toward WWE’s youth roster and creative choices signals ongoing challenges within the company regarding talent development and presentation. His observations highlight a potential disconnect between what current stars bring to the ring and the expectations held by seasoned professionals. This tension may influence future training approaches and the direction WWE takes to maintain its appeal in an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if WWE’s young stars can rise to the challenge and carve out their own identities in the eyes of both audiences and veterans such as Drew McIntyre.
