WWE champion Drew McIntyre has addressed comments made by NFL legend Tom Brady, who recently described professional wrestling as “cute.” The exchange arose in the lead-up to an upcoming flag football event where Brady and Logan Paul, McIntyre’s former tag team partner turned full-time WWE performer, will face off.
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic is scheduled for March 21 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This event marks Brady’s first public appearance following his 2023 retirement from the NFL.
Details of Tom Brady’s Comment and Reaction from WWE Stars
During a conversation with Logan Paul, Brady expressed concern about the match, admitting he was “actually a little worried” for Paul. However, when Paul referenced his WWE background, Brady dismissed wrestling by saying,
“It’s cute. I love WWE, it’s very cute, but this is real football and real competition.”
This remark drew immediate criticism from WWE performers. Randy Orton challenged Brady with an offer of an RKO, but McIntyre chose a more composed approach, urging Brady to witness a live WWE show to better understand the athleticism involved.
McIntyre’s Perspective on Wrestling and Brady’s Understanding
Speaking to SPORTbible, Drew McIntyre acknowledged the responses of his peers and emphasized the complexity of wrestling. He explained that live WWE shows require adaptability and split-second decisions, driven by audience reactions. McIntyre said,
“He obviously doesn’t know anything about our industry or hasn’t enough time to see what we do and what it actually takes to pull off what we do.”
He highlighted the physical demands and storytelling element of wrestling, noting the real athleticism required. McIntyre invited Brady to attend a WWE event in person, confident that the former quarterback would come away with newfound respect, saying,
Image of: Drew McIntyre
“And I guarantee by the end, just being the kind of athlete he is, he would say, ‘Oh, my God, these guys are freak of nature athletes’. And again, why would I get offended when I hear something like that? Because it literally comes from a place of ignorance.”
McIntyre’s Current WWE Status and Upcoming Challenges
Drew McIntyre, the first British wrestler to hold the WWE Championship, is in the midst of his second reign as champion. He is preparing for a title defense at WrestleMania and awaits the outcome of the Elimination Chamber event, where six competitors will battle in a cage elimination match for a championship opportunity.
McIntyre’s original title reign began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he won the championship from Brock Lesnar in an empty arena. This period also saw extended social media exchanges with Tyson Fury, a three-time world heavyweight boxing champion, who appeared once in WWE against Braun Strowman.
Potential Future Clash Between McIntyre and Tyson Fury
Despite ongoing speculation, a WWE match between McIntyre and Fury never materialized. Their rivalry culminated in a singalong at a WWE event in Wales, after McIntyre was denied a title shot at Clash of the Castle in 2022. However, with Fury set to return to boxing in April against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, McIntyre believes their feud could still be reignited.
Reflecting on their interactions, McIntyre said,
“I think a couple of times we came pretty close. We went back and forth with each other and nothing’s ever dead. It was just simmering, simmering right there.”
He elaborated on how he managed to provoke a real competitive fire in Fury, describing,
“I could see it in his face, like, ‘OK, yeah, he’s not messing around anymore… he’s got that look in his eyes he gets before boxing matches.’”
McIntyre summed up the situation by stating,
“But yeah, so you never know. So him and I have got that simmering there. All it takes is me calling him a big, stupid dosser like I am right now and it could ignite once again.”
WWE’s Upcoming Schedule and Access for Subscribers
Fans in the UK and Ireland can watch WWE programming on Netflix, which includes Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and all WWE Premium Live events such as the upcoming Elimination Chamber scheduled for February 28 at 11:45 PM GMT.
This summer, WWE will tour across Europe, featuring shows in countries including Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, and the United Kingdom. Notably, the promotion will hold its first-ever PLE event, called ‘Clash in Italy.’ These events offer international audiences a chance to experience WWE live action close-up in venues throughout Europe.
Significance of McIntyre’s Response and the WWE Narrative
Drew McIntyre’s rebuttal to Tom Brady’s dismissal of wrestling highlights the tension between traditional sports and sports entertainment. McIntyre’s invitation to Brady to witness WWE firsthand underscores a desire for greater understanding and respect toward wrestling’s demands on athleticism and performance.
As WWE continues to expand its global presence and McIntyre defends his title on the road to WrestleMania, the promotion also navigates the blurred lines between competition and entertainment. The ongoing dialogue involving figures like Brady and Tyson Fury signals potential future collaborations or rivalries that could attract crossover attention from varied fanbases.
Kevin Jewell is a journalist at CynicalTimes.org, covering the WWE SmackDown Men’s Division.
With two years of experience, he reports on headline matches, major rivalries, and superstar developments from WWE’s blue brand.
Kevin brings sharp analysis, accurate updates, and a deep passion for storytelling to his coverage.
His work highlights the key figures, championship pursuits, and weekly action that define the SmackDown men’s roster.
From rising talents to veteran icons, Kevin delivers content that keeps fans informed and engaged with every twist in the ring.
