Following his win at the 2026 Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns appeared on WWE Raw the next Monday, declaring his intention to challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania. The segment highlighted the real-life rivalry between Reigns and Punk, making it one of the standout wrestling promos of the year so far. However, this intense exchange came at the expense of Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, who felt overlooked during the segment.
Drew McIntyre Expresses Displeasure Over Raw’s Promo Targeting SmackDown
During the exchange, CM Punk referred to McIntyre as the “Easy Way Out,” while Roman Reigns suggested WWE Raw was the premier show compared to McIntyre’s SmackDown brand. This comparison provoked McIntyre to speak out publicly on Busted Open Radio about the disrespect shown toward his brand. Although McIntyre admitted he could handle the personal insults, he took issue with the devaluation of SmackDown and the implication that Raw was superior.
Champion Emphasizes Commitment to SmackDown’s Reputation and Standards
McIntyre recalled how The Undertaker would get frustrated backstage when SmackDown lagged behind Raw in ratings. Despite Raw’s current advantage partly due to its Netflix presence, McIntyre stressed that what truly matters is the effort each SmackDown wrestler puts in. He conveyed a firm message that anyone not giving their all on the blue brand would face consequences, emphasizing,
“every time I’m in that ring, I’m going to bring it 150%. I’m going to show you all that I belong on this show. And ‘SmackDown’ is the A show.”
Implications for WWE Brands and Wrestlers Moving Forward
McIntyre’s reaction underscores ongoing tensions between WWE’s two main brands, Raw and SmackDown, highlighting the importance of respect and recognition for both. His outspoken defense of SmackDown may influence how storylines and promos are crafted in the coming weeks, potentially fueling more brand rivalry. For WWE fans, this development signals a deeper focus on brand pride and championship prominence as WrestleMania approaches.
Like, I don’t care, say whatever you want about me. I can protect myself. I look after myself verbally. And to be honest, they weren’t even that bad,
Drew McIntyre, Undisputed WWE Champion, said on Busted Open Radio.
It was just the stuff about the title and ‘SmackDown’ and making it feel a little less than when they’re such big superstars. Just focus on the title, focus on each other. So I went out and did a Braveheart-like speech on the Friday because I was legitimately upset … every time I’m in that ring, I’m going to bring it 150%. I’m going to show you all that I belong on this show. And ‘SmackDown’ is the A show.
