The pandemic forced the WWE to adapt just as Mcintyre had caught fire and finally pulled the spotlight in his direction. “For the first time in my life, everything was going perfectly” he recited. “But as I sat and started to understand how serious the situation was, and that we were going to push through with WrestleMania, and that my feel-good story would entertain and bring smiles to millions of faces across the world, this is probably the biggest WrestleMania ever. This is an escape for everyone, you’re the guy that can make them happy.”
And make them happy, he did. Drew Mcintyre successfully defeated Brock Lesnar within five minutes and claimed his first-ever WWE title. With no fans in attendance and a skeleton crew around him, the celebration required a little bit of improvisation – something he’s never lacked.
“When I won that match, it was just as special. I broke the fourth wall (which we’re not supposed to do), reached out to the Camera and said thank you.” I wanted to thank everyone for supporting me and leading me to the tite. Thank you for all the social media interactions.”
Now at the top of the Mountain, Drew Mcintyre wanted to ensure he didn’t get complacent. That he didn’t make the same mistakes again and allow that fire to burn out. He started working with the company’s sales team, their marketing team, and their community team who look after charitable efforts, in order to learn just how much goes into keeping the WWE firing on all cylinders.
Even at the height of a pandemic, the work hasn’t stopped. Just because fans aren’t around, it doesn’t mean that superstars aren’t in full-flight mode. Take this week, for instance. Mcintyre wrestled at the Survivor Series pay-per-view on Sunday, then again on Monday night for an episode of RAW. An opportunity to converse with Stone Cold Steve Austin for his ‘broken ranch’ documentary presented itself the next morning, requiring a pair of six hour flights. A 2-hour meet and greet with fans upon his return was followed by the media session this article is built from.
The work isn’t coming to a halt, either. A refreshed Mcintyre has set his sights on bringing one of the ‘big 4’ pay-per-views to the United Kingdom. The last signature event was Summerslam, held at Wembley stadium back in 1992 in front of an 80,000 strong crowd. He doesn’t want to do it alone, either. Mcintyre has incited a playful feud with two-time world boxing heavyweight champion and fellow brit Tyson Fury.
“I feel like myself and Tyson could draw the outside eyeballs I’m trying to get on the product.” Mcintyre said excitedly. “That’s what I’m about as WWE champion, trying to draw those outside eyes. I’d love it to be a week-long thing, do weigh-ins etc. It’s at the top of my list of things to achieve.”
The career of Drew Mcintyre has been fascinating. We’ve seen a young man mature before our eyes, take the biggest of leaps for a company over 5,000 miles away, leaving everything behind in the hopes of finally getting to the top. After being knocked to the bottom and having to start all over again, it’s that journey that has helped Mcintyre grow into the WWE Champion, and the man that he is today.
