Drew McIntyre showed up to the WWE 2K26 Creator Fest at WWE Headquarters in full champion mode — and he had plenty to say about his title reign, the Punk/Reigns Raw segment, and the fact that CM Punk's face is plastered all over the building.
On finally living his championship dream, McIntyre was equal parts self-deprecating and self-assured:
Everyone assumed Cody was going to win because Cody always wins and Drew always gets screwed. It was a shock for a lot of people — except this guy. Not only did I overcome Cody, I overcame Cody and Jacob in the same night. What an underdog story. I'm the biggest underdog in the land.
McIntyre has been on a roll since his Three Stages of Hell win and Royal Rumble title defense against Sami Zayn, but the champion was quick to acknowledge the target on his back, noting that even at the Creator Fest event, people were eyeing him up like they were ready to jump him.
'I Ain't a Bad Guy, Ain't a Good Guy. I'm a Real Guy.'
When asked about the Roman Reigns and CM Punk segment on Raw — where both men took shots at McIntyre while he wasn't there to respond — Drew wasn't bothered by the personal jabs. What actually got under his skin was the suggestion that SmackDown and his title were somehow secondary.
One of them would try and say something bad about me, spin the narrative. And the other one would just tell the truth. Like Punk would run his mouth. Roman would say, 'Drew's four times bigger than you, had you crying over a plastic bracelet.' Roman would run his mouth — 'I beat Drew for three years straight.' Yeah, you and your whole family.
It was trying to make this title feel lesser than, make SmackDown feel lesser than. That's what bothered me. This is the number one title. The guys that have held this title, including you guys, made it what it is. And as for SmackDown — it lit a fire under me. I said to the roster, you better stand up and be as angry as I am and start giving 150%.
Roman Reigns chose CM Punk as his WrestleMania 42 opponent, dismissing McIntyre as the "easy choice" — something Drew clearly hasn't forgotten.
The WWE 2K26 Cover Rant
Then came the bit. Walking around WWE HQ and seeing Punk's face on WWE 2K26 promotional materials everywhere, McIntyre went full comedic heel:
I see Punk's stupid mug everywhere around here and I'm thinking to myself, my god — these poor kids are going to buy that video game, their mother sees it and goes, 'What in earth is this junkie hero? The main character is a junkie. You're not buying that game, young man.'
You put my face on there, they're going to go, 'Yes, I have to buy this for my kid. I want my kid to grow up to be like this man. Tall, jacked, handsome, educated.' Punk barely went to school.
As for WrestleMania 42, Drew kept his cards close:
I wouldn't speak too soon. Still a few weeks till then — but yes, I intend to head into WrestleMania as champion. And it feels right.
