Drew McIntyre addressed the recent exchange between Roman Reigns and CM Punk during the post-Royal Rumble WWE Raw promo segment, where his name was mentioned multiple times. The confrontational segment, which took place ahead of WWE’s WrestleMania event on February 2nd, included back-and-forth remarks referencing McIntyre’s history with both wrestlers. McIntyre later revealed his reactions to these comments during an interview on the Babyfaces Podcast, focusing on the impact of the promo and the portrayal of WWE’s SmackDown brand.
McIntyre’s Reaction to Remarks Made by Reigns and Punk
When speaking about the personal shots exchanged by Reigns and Punk, Drew McIntyre expressed that he was largely unfazed by the comments involving him, emphasizing that neither wrestler made particularly harsh criticisms. He noted that Punk tended to provoke with his words, while Reigns often responded by highlighting truthful aspects of McIntyre’s career achievements. For instance, Reigns pointed out that McIntyre’s larger stature had unsettled Punk, and that Reigns himself had beaten McIntyre multiple times over the years. Punk countered by suggesting it took Reigns’ entire family to defeat McIntyre repeatedly, creating a dynamic interplay between trash talk and respect.
Displeasure Over Disparaging Remarks Toward SmackDown Brand
McIntyre made it clear that the real issue for him was not the personal disputes but the way the SmackDown brand was disparaged during the segment. He disagreed with the attempts to diminish the value of SmackDown and its championship, describing such comments as unnecessary and uncalled for. During the podcast interview, he reflected on the importance and legacy of the title, highlighting that it has been shaped by legendary performers such as the Sammartinos, the Brets, the Shawns, Triple H, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Dusty Rhodes, John Cena, and many others. McIntyre stressed that the title is what makes the man just as much as the man makes the title, underscoring the lineage behind it.
I mean, Roman and Punk themselves have had these legendary reigns, so they can try and spin it any way they want. This is the #1 title, undisputed #1 title. And Smackdown, when it comes to our brand, look at the show the past few weeks. I compare the two shows since that interview happened, I’d say Smackdown’s blown Raw out the water. And we have a three-hour show. And if everyone in the roster wasn’t fired up and didn’t have a fire lit under them after seeing some of those comments, I don’t want you on the show. If you’re not out there — whatever time you’ve been given. If you get the microphone, if you’re in the ring, you’re not giving it your all — especially Mania season, especially with those shots being fired — I don’t want you on the Smackdown roster. I think the competition’s healthy.
?Drew McIntyre, Professional Wrestler
Significance of the Promo and What to Expect Moving Forward
This episode highlights the ongoing rivalry and tension between WWE’s key figures Roman Reigns and CM Punk, with Drew McIntyre caught in the crossfire due to his connections to both competitors and his association with SmackDown. McIntyre’s strong defense of the SmackDown brand and its championship underscores the competitive atmosphere within WWE as WrestleMania approaches. His statements suggest heightened stakes for the roster to perform at their best, reinforcing the intensity of the upcoming matches and rivalries. With WrestleMania season underway, these verbal exchanges serve to increase anticipation and set the stage for high-profile confrontations on WWE programming.
