Drew McIntyre Responds to CM Punk and Roman Reigns’ Criticism
Following a promo segment on the February 2nd episode of WWE Raw, where CM Punk and Roman Reigns took shots at both Drew McIntyre and SmackDown, McIntyre addressed the criticism on the February 6th episode of SmackDown. While not bothered by the personal attacks, McIntyre expressed frustration with the attempts to diminish the importance of SmackDown and its championship.
Punk and Reigns’ Initial Remarks
During their exchange on Raw, CM Punk and Roman Reigns agreed to a match at WrestleMania 42. As part of building the rivalry, both competitors referenced McIntyre’s past encounters with them, and questioned the prestige of the WWE Championship and the SmackDown brand. Reigns highlighted his past victories over McIntyre, while Punk emphasized the importance of the World Heavyweight Championship.
McIntyre’s Response on SmackDown
McIntyre responded on SmackDown, stating he wasn’t concerned with the comments directed at him personally. He was, however, upset by what he perceived as an attempt to devalue SmackDown and the WWE Championship. He emphasized the history and legacy of the title, referencing past champions like Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, The Rock, and Steve Austin. He also pointedly excluded Dusty Rhodes from his list of legendary champions.
Defending SmackDown’s Standing
McIntyre asserted that the WWE Championship is the “#1 title, undisputed #1 title” and argued that SmackDown has recently outperformed Raw in terms of quality and viewership. He challenged the entire SmackDown roster to elevate their performance in response to the criticism, stating that anyone not giving their all during Mania season should not be on the show.
Acknowledging Competition
McIntyre acknowledged that the competition was healthy and that the comments had lit a fire under the SmackDown roster. He expressed confidence in the brand’s ability to prove its worth.
h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription of the Babyfaces Podcast interview.