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Stamford, CT – Drew McIntyre, a prominent figure in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), recently offered a candid perspective on the unexpected alteration of a highly anticipated match at WWE Crown Jewel 2023. Originally slated to face John Cena at the premium live event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, McIntyre found himself on the sidelines as the company pivoted to a different opponent for the 16-time World Champion, a decision influenced significantly by fan sentiment expressed on social media.
The showdown between John Cena and AJ Styles at WWE Crown Jewel on November 4, 2023, garnered widespread acclaim, with many critics and fans citing it as one of the standout matches of the year. This contest was a pivotal moment in what had been dubbed Cena’s "retirement tour," a series of high-profile appearances designed to allow the legendary performer to connect with the WWE Universe before transitioning away from full-time competition. For Styles, it represented another opportunity to solidify his status as "The Phenomenal One" against one of wrestling’s all-time greats. The event itself, held at the Mohammed Abdu Arena, was part of WWE’s long-term strategic partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an initiative that has brought several major events to the region since 2018, contributing substantially to WWE’s global expansion efforts and financial growth.
However, the path to Cena vs. Styles was not the initial creative blueprint. John Cena himself revealed on the "No-Contest" podcast that the original plan for WWE’s October premium live event was a match against Drew McIntyre. Cena, during his podcast appearance, detailed how the promotion’s creative direction shifted following a seemingly innocuous tweet. On October 13, 2023, Cena posted a simple tweet containing only AJ Styles’ name. The subsequent outpouring of fan enthusiasm and demand for a match between Cena and Styles proved irresistible to WWE’s decision-makers, leading to a swift change in booking. This instance highlighted the increasing responsiveness of WWE’s creative team to immediate fan feedback, particularly through digital platforms, demonstrating a dynamic approach to storytelling that can be shaped by the collective voice of the audience.
McIntyre, reflecting on the situation during a recent interview at a WWE 2K24 hands-on event in Stamford, acknowledged his awareness of the initial plans. "I knew enough," McIntyre told CBS Sports. His reaction underscored a pragmatic approach honed over a career marked by both highs and unexpected setbacks. "I keep my head down and keep working no matter what happens. I can’t take his phone and say, ‘Just tweet my name.’" This statement encapsulates a philosophy of controlling one’s own efforts rather than external creative forces.
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For McIntyre, the Crown Jewel pivot represented another chapter in a career narrative often characterized by exceptional performances overshadowed by consistent losses in critical moments. Over the past several years, McIntyre has delivered numerous acclaimed matches, demonstrating a unique blend of power, agility, and intensity that has positioned him as a top-tier performer. Despite this consistent excellence, he has frequently fallen short in major championship bouts or high-stakes encounters, particularly against the company’s biggest stars. Notable instances include his highly anticipated clash with Roman Reigns at Clash at the Castle 2022 in his home country of Scotland, where he ultimately lost despite overwhelming crowd support. His second World Championship reign in 2021 was infamously short-lived, lasting mere minutes after The Miz cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. These recurring instances of near-misses and significant defeats had fueled McIntyre’s public campaign for a coveted spot on Cena’s "retirement tour." He sought a high-profile encounter not merely for personal glory, but as an opportunity to unequivocally prove his mettle against a universally recognized legend, aiming to demonstrate he belonged on the same pedestal as the top stars who had historically bested him.
"I can’t change the creative direction," McIntyre reiterated. "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." McIntyre’s ambition was clear: to test his skills against Cena, particularly in the realm of verbal sparring, an area where Cena has consistently excelled throughout his career. "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."
Indeed, the interview was conducted with a world championship title belt prominently slung over McIntyre’s shoulder, symbolizing a period of significant vindication for the Scottish warrior. While it was not his first reign as a world champion, this particular tenure carried a profound weight of validation. His initial World Championship triumph at WrestleMania 36 in 2020, a career-defining moment, tragically played out in front of an empty arena during the nascent stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, robbing him of the roaring crowd he had long envisioned. His subsequent second reign, as previously noted, was fleeting. This most recent championship reign, secured on a grand stage and maintained through fierce competition, marked a full circle moment for McIntyre. This achievement positioned him as a defending champion heading into a future WrestleMania event, where tens of thousands of fans are expected to pack Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, a stark contrast to the silent victory of his first title win.
McIntyre’s journey to this point is a testament to his resilience, a narrative arc spanning over two decades in professional wrestling. He is worlds apart from the "Chosen One" moniker bestowed upon him by Vince McMahon in his initial WWE run, or the "boy band cosplayer" persona of his 3MB faction days, which ultimately led to his release from the company in 2014. Following his departure, McIntyre embarked on a transformative period on the independent circuit and with Impact Wrestling (then TNA), reinventing himself as Drew Galloway, a hardened, no-nonsense brawler. This gritty, self-made ethos propelled him back to WWE NXT in 2017, where he swiftly captured the NXT Championship, before returning to the main roster with a renewed sense of purpose and a significantly elevated presence. The Crown Jewel setback, much like previous disappointments, served as another reminder of a lesson he has learned countless times: control the controllable and maintain forward momentum.
"Things happen the way they’re supposed to," McIntyre affirmed, reflecting on his career trajectory. "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 statement acknowledges the influence of Paul "Triple H" Levesque, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, whose leadership has marked a new era for the company’s creative direction since assuming the role in 2022. Levesque’s tenure has been characterized by a more nuanced approach to storytelling and a greater emphasis on long-term character development, a shift that has been largely well-received by fans and talent alike.
Beyond his in-ring endeavors and championship pursuits, McIntyre also engaged in promotional activities for the recently released video game, WWE 2K24. The game, available worldwide since March 8, 2024, offered fans who purchased special editions early access on March 5. McIntyre, known for his acerbic wit and current on-screen persona, took the opportunity to lean into his heated rivalry with CM Punk, who was featured prominently on the special "40 Years of WrestleMania" Deluxe Edition cover of the game alongside Cody Rhodes and Rhea Ripley.
"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, likely referencing the cancelled WWE 2K21 during the pandemic. "This year, they decided to put [Punk’s] stupid mug on the cover… 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?’" His comments reflect the ongoing, intensely personal rivalry with Punk, a feud that escalated significantly following Punk’s unexpected return to WWE at Survivor Series 2023 and became a focal point of WWE programming leading into WrestleMania 40, adding another layer of intrigue to McIntyre’s current character arc.
Drew McIntyre’s journey, from a promising but unfulfilled "Chosen One" to a released talent, a reinvented force on the independent scene, and now a multi-time world champion navigating the unpredictable currents of WWE’s creative landscape, continues to be one of the most compelling narratives in professional wrestling. His ability to adapt, endure, and ultimately thrive underscores a relentless pursuit of excellence, regardless of the creative detours.
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