Drew McIntyre is a two-time WWE champion however WrestleMania 40 may as effectively be his first shot at a world title. McIntyre challenges world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins at Evening 2 of WrestleMania on April 7. It is a match meaning greater than some other in McIntyre’s profession.
McIntyre and lots of others will inform you he’s “100%” doing one of the best work of his profession proper now. He is been given free inventive reign of his character beneath WWE’s new regime. The result’s a nuanced, layered Scotsman with legit gripes. He is sharp, passionate and quick-witted.
“I am fueled in a method I have never felt in a very long time,” McIntyre instructed CBS Sports activities. “I actually need to level again to my unbiased run the place I really discovered myself. I used to be really relaxed and I wasn’t anxious about something besides telling my reality. Over the previous few years as a smiling swordsman, I am very happy with the work I did however there was additionally a line I could not cross. There have been sure methods issues had been at all times finished. We needed to keep inside these limitations. Proper now it appears like there are not any limitations.
“In case you have an concept you go for it. If it succeeds it is on you. If it fails it is on you. That is all I’ve ever requested for my whole profession is to let it fall on me,” he mentioned.
Try the total interview with Drew McIntyre under.
McIntyre is holding his personal with WWE’s greatest talkers on an exceptional roster with the likes of CM Punk, The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns and LA Knight. Punk has been the sufferer of some notably hilarious McIntyre barbs. However don’t let McIntyre’s sharp tongue idiot you. He marches into WrestleMania 40 with heavy steps, decided to do proper by his household.
“That is form of every thing to me,” McIntyre mentioned. “…Seeing issues like my dad getting older and what number of issues I’ve missed over the years.
“I used to be again (in Scotland) for a marriage. My buddy Blair was getting married. I at all times see my shut household and mates once I can, however I had seen individuals who had been mates who I had not seen in 20 years. I’ve been gone for legitimately 17 years from Scotland to rising up in America. I used to be a part of WWE. It hit me. ‘Wow, I’ve missed loads. I really feel form of responsible about it.'”
McIntyre’s journey residence was sobering. Skilled wrestling is usually a egocentric pursuit full of lengthy weeks away from youngsters, spouses, mother and father, siblings and mates. McIntyre is aware of this, however his latest homecoming confirmed him how his profession aspirations had blinded him.
“My mindset used to be about my sacrifices,” McIntyre mentioned. “I am the one on the highway on a regular basis. I am the one taking all of the bumps and operating myself into the bottom. I am very appreciative of it and this was at all times the dream. That is what I used to be keen to do and I am very lucky to dwell the life I dwell due to my job.
“I acquired to the purpose the place I realized this was their sacrifice,” he mentioned. “They gave up their son, their nephew, their brother, and their uncle who has missed so many essential occasions as a result of he is chasing his dream and so they encourage me to chase my dream. I actually began wising as much as that and I felt very responsible.”
McIntyre’s household will fly from Scotland to Philadelphia for WrestleMania 40. If McIntyre has it his method, he’ll place the world heavyweight championship in his father’s arms in entrance of 60,000 WWE followers.
“I wish to give my household that title. I wish to give my dad that title,” McIntyre mentioned. “I wish to put that title in his arms and say, ‘Right here it’s. This is what it was all about since I used to be 5 years outdated and you’ll consistently be telling my brother and I to cease wrestling across the bed room. … I lastly have it and I can lastly give it to you and I can lastly say, ‘Hey, I did it. I am the champion of the world.'”
Profitable the world heavyweight title at WrestleMania 40 may as effectively be his inauguration. McIntyre defeated Brock Lesnar to turn into WWE champion in the primary occasion of WrestleMania 36 in 2020. Profitable the corporate’s most prestigious title in the primary occasion of its largest annual occasion is the top of success. Sadly, his large second performed to crickets within the empty WWE Efficiency Middle. The nation was locked down throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and there wasn’t a fan in sight.
“That is a second I missed however a second I’ve accepted due to the occasions we had been residing in,” McIntyre mentioned. “How essential it was to be the champion for everyone else. It wasn’t actually for me. Neither was the second.”
McIntyre is grateful the corporate trusted him to steer via unsure occasions. However he’d be mendacity to say it was the second he envisioned as a toddler. The pandemic stole one thing from everybody. WrestleMania 40 is McIntyre’s probability to take again his dream.
“However this one second will form of be for me,” McIntyre mentioned. “There will be some household there so hopefully I do not freakin’ lose. It’s going to be for them and their sacrifice. It’s going to be for the followers who caught by me this complete time. And will probably be for CM Punk, the person fabricated from glass.”