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Drew McIntyre, the reigning WWE Champion, recently offered insight into the unforeseen creative alteration that saw his anticipated match against John Cena at WWE Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, replaced by a high-profile encounter between Cena and AJ Styles. The Scottish grappler, speaking at a WWE 2K26 hands-on event in Stamford, acknowledged the original plans for him to face the sixteen-time world champion, emphasizing his pragmatic approach to the shifting landscape of professional wrestling. The change, stemming from a significant fan response to a social media post by Cena, marked a notable pivot in the booking strategy for one of WWE’s premier international events.
The original framework for Crown Jewel, held on November 4, 2023, reportedly positioned McIntyre as Cena’s opponent. This information was corroborated by Cena himself during an appearance on the "No-Contest" podcast, where he detailed how a seemingly innocuous tweet featuring AJ Styles’ name ignited a fervent fan campaign, ultimately swaying WWE’s creative team. Cena’s social media post, which garnered immense traction, was interpreted by a substantial portion of the WWE Universe as a desire for a renewal of his acclaimed rivalry with Styles. The subsequent public demand for Cena vs. Styles proved compelling enough to warrant a re-evaluation of the card, leading to the substitution that would see "The Phenomenal One" step into the ring with Cena instead of McIntyre.
McIntyre, a veteran of the squared circle with over two decades of experience, recounted his awareness of the initial booking. "I knew enough," McIntyre stated, reflecting on the situation. His philosophy, honed through years of industry highs and lows, dictated a focus on his own performance rather than external factors. "I keep my head down and keep working no matter what happens. I can’t take his phone and say, ‘Just tweet my name,’" he added, underscoring the uncontrollable elements within the creative process of a global sports entertainment entity.
This creative pivot represented another instance where McIntyre, despite consistently delivering critically acclaimed performances, found himself sidelined from a major opportunity. For several years leading up to this event, McIntyre had been lauded for his in-ring prowess and character development, yet often found himself on the losing end of significant championship bouts and high-stakes contests. His tenure as WWE Champion during the pandemic era, which saw him perform in front of empty arenas, deprived him of the grand fan reception typically associated with such a prestigious title reign. Furthermore, his subsequent championship victory at Elimination Chamber 2024, only to lose it minutes later at WrestleMania 40, highlighted a recurring pattern of near-misses and fleeting triumphs.
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McIntyre had actively campaigned for a prominent position on what was widely dubbed John Cena’s "retirement tour." This tour comprised a series of high-profile appearances and matches, allowing Cena to engage with the WWE Universe on a limited, yet impactful, basis as he transitioned towards a more reduced schedule. McIntyre’s objective was clear: to prove his mettle against one of professional wrestling’s most enduring figures. He articulated a specific desire to not only compete with Cena in the ring but also to engage him on the microphone, a domain where Cena is universally acknowledged as a master. "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," McIntyre elaborated, highlighting his ambition to test his skills against the industry’s elite.
Acknowledging Cena’s candid revelations on the podcast, McIntyre continued, "I heard the quote John gave. Whatever people weren’t feeling or going on, they decided to pivot. He outright asked if the people wanted AJ." The resulting match between Cena and Styles at Crown Jewel was indeed lauded by critics and fans alike, widely regarded as one of the standout contests of the year. This objective assessment from McIntyre underscores his professional outlook, even in the face of personal disappointment. "The match was incredible," he conceded, before offering a reflective, yet ultimately triumphant, personal perspective. "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 concluding statement from McIntyre is particularly poignant, as it was delivered with the undisputed WWE Championship draped over his shoulder. This current reign marks a significant milestone in McIntyre’s career, distinguishing itself from his previous championship tenures. His first reign, secured at WrestleMania 36 against Brock Lesnar, unfolded during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, rendering the victory bittersweet without the roar of a live audience. His second reign, following a victory at the Royal Rumble in 2024, lasted a mere five minutes before he was dethroned by Damian Priest, who cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. The current championship, captured in a grueling contest, represents a profound validation of his perseverance and talent, marking a period of sustained dominance and fan connection that has eluded him in the past.
As the current WWE Champion, McIntyre is now poised to headline WrestleMania 42, WWE’s flagship annual event, scheduled to take place on April 18 and 19. The spectacle will unfold at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, an arena expected to be packed with tens of thousands of fervent fans. This stage, featuring McIntyre as the defending champion, is a testament to his journey from a promising but ultimately unfulfilled talent in his early career to a bona fide main event star. His narrative arc is one of redemption and unwavering determination, a stark contrast to his initial run with WWE, which saw him released from the company in 2014. During that period, he was sometimes characterized as a "boy band cosplayer," a far cry from the formidable, championship-caliber athlete he is today.
The experience with the scrapped Cena match served as another reiteration of a fundamental lesson McIntyre has learned repeatedly throughout his professional life: control the controllable and adapt to the uncontrollable. This philosophy has been instrumental in his resurgence following his initial WWE departure, during which he redefined himself on the independent circuit before making a triumphant return. His resilience and ability to navigate the unpredictable nature of sports entertainment have solidified his position as a respected leader within the locker room and a fan favorite.
McIntyre also touched upon the broader creative leadership within WWE, particularly under the stewardship of Paul "Triple H" Levesque, the company’s Chief Content Officer. "Things happen the way they’re supposed to," McIntyre affirmed, attributing a degree of faith to the creative process. "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 acknowledgement highlights the confidence in the current creative direction of WWE, suggesting that even when individual plans shift, there is a larger, well-considered vision guiding the product.
In addition to his in-ring exploits and reflections on creative decisions, McIntyre was at the event to promote the upcoming video game, WWE 2K26. The game is scheduled for a worldwide release on March 13. Fans who opt to purchase 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. The interview provided a multifaceted look into the mind of a reigning champion, balancing the pragmatism of professional wrestling with the personal satisfaction of reaching the pinnacle of his sport.
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