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Drew McIntyre, the Scottish powerhouse currently occupying a prominent position in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), recently offered insights into the unforeseen creative alterations that led to the cancellation of his highly anticipated match against legendary figure John Cena at Crown Jewel 2023. While the event ultimately saw Cena engage in a critically acclaimed encounter with AJ Styles, McIntyre revealed that the original blueprint for the premium live event, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, had slated him opposite the 16-time world champion.
The revelation emerged from Cena himself during an appearance on the "No-Contest" podcast, where he detailed the initial intentions for a clash with McIntyre. However, the narrative took an unexpected turn following a seemingly innocuous social media post from Cena. A tweet featuring only AJ Styles’ name ignited a fervent fan response, prompting WWE to pivot from their established plans. This shift, driven by overwhelming public sentiment, ultimately led to the blockbuster Cena-Styles match, which many observers and critics hailed as one of the year’s standout contests, further cementing Cena’s "retirement tour" as a series of memorable performances.
Speaking at the WWE 2K26 hands-on event in Stamford, McIntyre acknowledged his awareness of the initial creative direction. "I knew enough," McIntyre stated, reflecting on the situation. "I keep my head down and keep working no matter what happens. I can’t take his phone and say, ‘Just tweet my name.’" His comments underscored a philosophical approach to the often-unpredictable nature of professional wrestling’s creative process, emphasizing a focus on his own performance rather than external factors beyond his control.
For McIntyre, this particular creative adjustment represented another chapter in a career marked by both significant highs and notable frustrations. Over the past several years, the former WWE Champion has consistently delivered acclaimed in-ring performances, earning widespread praise for his intensity, athleticism, and storytelling ability. Despite this, he has often found himself on the losing end of major contests, particularly in high-stakes championship matches or pivotal main events. This pattern had fueled his explicit campaign for a coveted spot on John Cena’s "retirement tour," a series of high-profile matches designed to celebrate Cena’s illustrious career while providing marquee opportunities for opponents. McIntyre’s objective was clear: to once again prove his mettle against a top-tier global icon, aiming to transcend the perception of consistently falling short in crucial moments.
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"I can’t change the creative direction," McIntyre reiterated, expressing a pragmatic acceptance of the industry’s realities. "I talked about getting a match with Cena. Getting a situation on the microphone with Cena to prove what I’m capable of because I want to compete with the best. He was the best on the microphone. I heard the quote John gave." Cena’s profound impact on the microphone throughout his career, often cited as a key component of his mainstream appeal, was a particular draw for McIntyre, who sought to test his own verbal prowess against such a master.
McIntyre continued, detailing the immediate aftermath of the creative shift: "Whatever people weren’t feeling or going on, they decided to pivot. He outright asked if the people wanted AJ. The match was incredible. I could sit there and go, ‘Damn, what if he tweeted my name?’ But the reality is he’s retired, and I’m world champion, so it worked out fine for Drew McIntyre." This candid assessment highlighted both a momentary pang of what-if and a confident affirmation of his current standing in WWE.
Indeed, McIntyre’s perspective is validated by his recent career trajectory. At the time of the interview, he held the undisputed WWE Championship, a significant marker of his ascent to the pinnacle of the industry. This reign, his third world title, carried a profound sense of validation that his previous two lacked. His first reign, secured at WrestleMania 36 in 2020, unfolded during the unprecedented global pandemic, with matches performed in front of empty arenas, a stark contrast to the thunderous roar of a live audience he had envisioned. His second world title reign, a brief affair at WrestleMania XL in April 2024, lasted mere minutes after he was ambushed following his victory, quickly losing the title to Damian Priest who cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. The current reign, therefore, represented a hard-earned culmination, enjoyed in front of capacity crowds and with the full weight of the WWE machine behind him.
This resurgence places McIntyre in an enviable position as WWE looks ahead. The article notes his trajectory towards WrestleMania 42, slated to take place on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. While the landscape of WWE championships can shift rapidly, McIntyre’s current standing as a defending champion and a main event attraction underscores his sustained relevance and perceived future as a top-tier performer. His journey from being released by WWE in 2014, then derisively labeled a "boy band cosplayer" during his initial run, to becoming a multiple-time world champion and a leading figure, exemplifies a career built on perseverance and a steadfast belief in his own abilities.
McIntyre attributes much of his success to a core philosophy: controlling the controllable and maintaining forward momentum. "Things happen the way they’re supposed to," he asserted, a testament to his resilience in the face of setbacks. He also acknowledged the influence of WWE’s current Head of Creative, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, stating, "Many times I’ve been frustrated. I knew something was the right thing to do. But you have someone like Triple H leading the charge." This nod to Levesque highlights the company’s current leadership direction and its impact on the talent roster.
Beyond the ring, McIntyre’s profile continues to grow, extending into the realm of digital entertainment. He is actively involved in the promotion of WWE 2K26, the latest installment in the popular wrestling video game franchise, which is scheduled for a worldwide release on March 13. Fans who opt for any of the three special editions – King of Kings, Attitude Era, or Monday Night Wars – will gain early access to the game on March 6. McIntyre, never one to shy away from injecting his personality, even used the platform to playfully jab at his on-screen rival, CM Punk, regarding the game’s cover.
"I was looking at the video game cover and thinking, ‘Really?’ I was supposed to be on the cover one year and, of course, it’s the year the game doesn’t come out," McIntyre quipped, referencing a previous near-miss with a coveted cover spot. He then turned his attention to Punk, with whom he has engaged in a bitter, personal rivalry over recent months. "This year, they decided to put [Punk’s] stupid mug on the cover…" McIntyre continued, leaning into his character’s disdain for Punk. "That’s the face you use? All sunken in with droopy eyes. The parents are going to look at the kid buying a video game and think, ‘What is this?’" These comments, while humorous, underscored the intensity of their ongoing feud, a key storyline that has captivated audiences and further elevated McIntyre’s status as a top villain in WWE. His ability to blend in-character banter with genuine insights offers a unique glimpse into the life of a modern professional wrestling superstar navigating both the physical demands of the ring and the intricate world of creative direction.
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