Drew McIntyre Passes Airport Test but It’s Driving Him Nuts

Drew McIntyre, the current Undisputed WWE Champion, is focused on traveling town to town while carrying the prestigious title. In an interview with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard at WWE 2K26 Creator Fest, McIntyre shared that this is his third reign as WWE Champion, though the first two happened during the pandemic, meaning there were no live audiences. Unlike those earlier reigns, McIntyre now enjoys being on the road with fans everywhere he goes, making this period distinct for him.

He expressed the excitement of touring with the championship, stating,

“The big thing is obviously getting to travel with it and the fan aspect, but also just traveling with the title itself. I’m on the road 52 weeks a year because that’s the WWE schedule. So getting to go town to town with the title, from appearance to appearance, and represent as champion like I did on Zoom for so long when there were no fans and no traveling — that’s the big thing that’s very exciting for me,”

McIntyre explained.

Beyond just holding the title, McIntyre values the respect he gains from fans and others in the wrestling community. He mentioned people’s reactions to seeing a champion who truly embodies the wrestler look, saying,

“Being able to walk into a room and have people say, ‘My God, you actually look like a wrestler. You look like a champion. The last few people we’ve had here looked like kids or fans in the crowd holding the titles.’ ‘It’s nice to see a wrestler who looks like a wrestler as champion.’”

The Challenges Behind Passing the Wrestling ‘Airport Test’

In wrestling culture, the ‘airport test’ refers to a wrestler’s ability to stand out in a crowded public space such as an airport, possessing a presence that turns heads and draws attention. Drew McIntyre acknowledges that he successfully meets this test, but admitted that it often becomes more of a hassle than a positive aspect of fame.

He remarked,

“Yeah, it drives me nuts, actually. But it’s a barometer of our industry, and I always say you don’t have to be 6’5″, 280 to pass the airport test,”

highlighting that compelling charisma matters more than size. McIntyre added,

“You’ve got to find something that draws people to you. I know guys who are 5’8″, 5’9″ — there’s something so compelling about them. They’ll turn heads in the airport and make people look at them.”

Despite passing the test, McIntyre revealed the exhaustion it brings, sharing,

“But for me, I just try to get through the airport. It’s murder,”

then adding,

“It used to be, ‘That’s Drew the wrestler,’ or ‘You look like you fell out of Game of Thrones, you Braveheart.’ What do you do now? Because of ESPN, Netflix, and all these giant platforms, it’s everybody: ‘Drew!’ across the airport. Come on. I’m just trying to get to the next place, brother.”

What McIntyre’s Experience Signifies for WWE and Fans

Drew McIntyre’s experience illustrates the shifting landscape of professional wrestling, where athletes now balance intense public recognition with the demands of constant travel. His ability to carry the Undisputed WWE Championship on the road reflects a return to wrestling’s traditional fan engagement after pandemic restrictions limited live events.

While the ‘airport test’ confirms a wrestler’s cultural footprint, it also emphasizes the personal toll that widespread fame can impose behind the scenes. As McIntyre continues to traverse towns and arenas, his journey highlights how modern wrestling champions must handle both the adoration and the pressures of being in the public eye across multiple platforms, including television networks like ESPN and streaming services such as Netflix.

This continual visibility may shape how WWE champions carry themselves in the future, as they navigate both representation of the sport and their personal boundaries amid growing fan attention.