WWE star Drew McIntyre recently expressed deep respect for fellow wrestler Damian Priest but acknowledged that his own main focus was pursuing the Undisputed WWE Championship earlier this year. McIntyre and Priest crossed paths multiple times, including at WrestleMania 41 and the May 24 Saturday Night’s Main Event, where their rivalry unfolded intensely. Speaking on the Cheap Heat podcast with Peter Rosenberg, McIntyre emphasized Priest’s undeniable fit within WWE’s roster while explaining his personal ambition to chase the title rather than engage in other storylines.
Physical. Very physical. I’m always honest all the time, that’s my thing. Drew McIntyre, I tell the truth, whether you like it or not and that’s what you’re gonna get with me as champion. Not safe Cody Rhodes saying what you want to hear and not what you need to hear. I’m gonna bring honesty every single week whether you like it or not.
Drew McIntyre
He added further,
So Priest is someone that belongs in WWE, belongs on our roster. Big, physical, stands out wherever he goes, loves this industry but unfortunately during that time, I didn’t want to be doing anything but fighting for the title. When I say I feel like, it’s not feelings, it’s evidence but people don’t like to look at evidence. If you look at every moment over the past few years, everything I said is true and you see I can complain and whine and I’m disillusioned but I’m not. I got screwed…
Drew McIntyre
Andrade’s Upcoming Return Outside WWE Announced
Following his recent release from WWE, Andrade has been scheduled for his first appearance outside the company. The Crash Lucha Libre promotion shared on Instagram that Andrade will compete at their upcoming event on October 3 at the Auditorium of Tijuana. This news marks his first public engagement since leaving WWE last weekend, stirring excitement among fans eager to see him return to the ring in a new environment.
The promotion posted:
“BECAUSE ONLY THE CRASH MAKES IT POSSIBLE! 💥 Andrade arrives at The Crash Lucha Libre, he will be present this October 03, at the Auditorium of Tijuana. What surprise will it get us? What fight would you like to see him in?”
The Crash Lucha Libre Instagram
Drew McIntyre on John Cena’s Heel Turn and Missed Opportunities
McIntyre also shared his views on John Cena’s heel run, which began at Elimination Chamber and lasted until shortly before SummerSlam 2025. He described the storyline as a missed chance that dampened the potential for a future match between them. McIntyre admitted his frustration during the run, believing Cena’s true capabilities were not fully showcased. His candid reflections came during an interview with Peter Rosenberg ahead of Wrestlepalooza, where he voiced how much he had talked trash out of his disappointment.
Regarding whether the heel turn was a wasted opportunity, McIntyre stated,
Yeah. Call it selfish all you want. I just know and I talked so much trash during the time because I know what he’s capable of, and it’s so much more and we’re seeing it right now. I don’t think it’s deliberate. I know it wasn’t deliberate… For Cena, a Cena two, three is a lot of people’s nine, 10. But, I just know how good he is, what he’s capable of and I ran my mouth, I talked trash because it was just quite frankly pissing me off watching it because I know how good he is. Now we’re seeing how good he is but what’s pissing me off now is it’s at the finish line and I might not get that opportunity so I need that title. I need to dangle that carrot or something in front of him that’s gonna make him pay attention and go, ‘Alright, maybe I go over here, and I’ll show Drew what’s up.’
Drew McIntyre
When asked about what he would want from a match with Cena, McIntyre shared,
I’ll tear him to shreds and I want him to because I want to be able to prove to the world I can stand on my own two feet with everybody just like I did with (CM) Punk, when he was gonna tear me to shreds on the mic, and absolutely eviscerated him to the point he was begging for his other tricep to get torn so he could get more time off so I would stop shredding him on the microphone…
Drew McIntyre
Jacob Fatu Unplanned Popularity Among WWE Fans Delights Family and Himself
Jacob Fatu revealed that the enthusiastic support he’s receiving from WWE fans was completely unplanned but deeply gratifying. Joining WWE about a year ago as a heel, Fatu found himself quickly embraced as a fan favorite, which he attributes to organic growth rather than a crafted angle. In an interview with Jay Reddick of the Orlando Sentinel, Fatu expressed how meaningful the chants from the crowd are, especially since members of his own family share the Fatu last name and have been positively impacted by his newfound popularity.
All of this (getting cheered) happened organically. I don’t think this was supposed to happen, but it happened. Me and The Usos and Solo (Sikoa), all of our real last names are Fatu, so the fun part of being a babyface is just hearing them chant ‘Fatu.’ I know it makes our fathers happy; I know it makes our families happy and man, it makes me happy. I’m having fun, and thank God my kids are old enough to see it and recognize it.
Jacob Fatu
Fatu has not appeared on WWE television since the August 15 episode of SmackDown, leaving fans eager to see his next moves.
Broader WWE Developments and Upcoming Matches
The WWE landscape remains dynamic with several storylines continuing to develop. Recent news includes a high-profile title match scheduled for the next SmackDown, alongside promotions teasing appearances from Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman. Meanwhile, backstage reports have highlighted issues around Andrade’s WWE exit, including questions about internal decisions and Charlotte Flair’s involvement. Other notable updates involve former stars like CM Punk and Shawn Michaels, who have both stirred conversations about their past and current roles.
Additionally, news from WWE’s rival AEW features reactions to incidents involving Bryan Danielson and Raja Jackson-Syko, and potential team-ups with wrestling personalities like Brie Bella. These ongoing narratives contribute to a charged atmosphere within professional wrestling, setting the stage for exciting events to unfold.
The Significance of Jacob Fatu’s WWE Audience Reaction
Jacob Fatu’s unplanned but heartening fan response illustrates a unique moment where character development and audience connection align beyond scripted plans. His embrace by the WWE crowd demonstrates the power of authentic moments in wrestling, especially when family legacy is involved. This phenomenon also reinforces WWE’s ability to evolve storytelling organically, potentially paving the way for fresh angles around the Fatu family.
As Fatu’s journey continues, fans and industry watchers alike will be interested in how his character evolves on television and what new opportunities this fan-fueled momentum may create. With WWE preparing for future events and title matches, the ripple effects of such reactions may influence booking decisions and rivalries moving forward.
