Drew McIntyre is ready for the pressure.
As a three-time world champion in WWE, Drew McIntyre is certainly no stranger to gold. As such, he’s also no stranger to the extra responsibilities that come with being a champion, such as leading the respective locker room. On a recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show, McIntyre was asked if there was an added sense of pressure in being a champion in WWE, and essentially carrying one of WWE’s two television brands.
“… There is a pressure that comes with being the champion, being the man, and having those responsibilities,” McIntyre said. “My journey has prepared me for literally anything. I said that all through my career, especially when I came back to WWE. Triple H brought me back in 2017. I mentioned how instrumental he was in keeping me in the company. And I said right up until I won the title the first time, there’s nothing you can throw at me. I’m so prepared. I’ve been through so many experiences in this industry to carry this company.”
“The world shut down [during the COVID pandemic], and I was the first one to have that responsibility. From what I gather, I did a pretty decent job at it. And I see some of our newer champions. That kind of deer in the headlight look when they first get that title, when they realize their responsibility, and it’s usually that first championship run. ‘That’s okay. That was a lot. I wasn’t ready for that, but the next time I’ll be ready for it.’ And some people just crumble under the pressure. There’s literally nothing you could throw at me. I’m ready for it all. I’m ready to put the company on my back. I always have been.”
As McIntyre alluded to, his first two WWE Championship runs occurred at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being faced with the challenge of no live crowds during this time, McIntyre asserts that he did his best to elevate the roster around him while also entertaining the fans watching at home. Eventually, McIntyre’s persistent efforts earned him a third, albeit short, world title reign on the grand stage of WrestleMania 40.
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