John Cena vs. AJ Types was the head of Cena’s retirement tour for a lot of followers. Their showdown at WWE Crown Jewel is thought to be one in every of the most effective matches of the yr. Nevertheless, the unique plan for Crown Jewel was for Cena to face Drew McIntyre.
Cena lately informed the “No-Contest” podcast that Cena vs. McIntyre was slated for WWE’s October pay-per-view. Nevertheless, the promotion pivoted to Types after Cena tweeted out “The Phenomenal” one’s identify. The fan response to Cena’s tweet appeared to spur a special consequence than what was initially deliberate for McIntyre.
“I knew sufficient,” McIntyre informed CBS Sports activities of the unique plan on the WWE 2K26 hands-on occasion in Stamford. “I hold my head down and hold working it doesn’t matter what occurs. I can not take his telephone and say, ‘Simply tweet my identify.'”
It was one other blow for McIntyre, who spent the previous few years placing on acclaimed performances however persistently shedding large matches. He had campaigned for a coveted spot on Cena’s retirement tour, searching for to show as soon as extra that he was on par with the highest stars who stored beating him.
“I can not change the artistic path,” McIntyre mentioned. “I talked about getting a match with Cena. Getting a scenario on the microphone with Cena to show what I am able to as a result of I need to compete with the most effective. He was the greatest on the microphone. I heard the quote John gave.
“No matter folks weren’t feeling or happening, they determined to pivot. He outright requested if the folks wished AJ. The match was unbelievable. I may sit there and go, ‘Rattling, what if he tweeted my identify?’ However the actuality is he is retired, and I am world champion, so it labored out wonderful for Drew McIntyre.”
To his level, McIntyre carried out the interview with the undisputed WWE championship slung round his shoulder. It is not McIntyre’s first world title reign, nevertheless it’s his most validating. His first world title reign performed out in entrance of empty seats in the course of the pandemic. His second barely lasted 5 minutes. Now, McIntyre heads into WrestleMania 42 — the place tens of hundreds will pack Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on April 18 and 19 — because the defending WWE champion.
He is worlds aside from the boy band cosplayer who was launched from WWE in 2014. The Cena setback was one other reminder of a lesson he realized many instances: management the controllable and hold shifting.
“Issues occur the way in which they’re speculated to,” McIntyre mentioned. “Many instances I have been pissed off. I knew one thing was the best factor to do. However you’ve gotten somebody like Triple H main the cost.”
WWE 2K26 is on the market worldwide on March 13. Followers who buy any of the three particular editions — King of Kings, Perspective Period, or Monday Evening Wars — can entry the sport on March 6.