Drew McIntyre Addresses Fallout from CM Punk and Roman Reigns Promo

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre has spoken out about feeling “legitimately upset” following a promo segment on the February 2nd, 2026, episode of RAW featuring CM Punk and Roman Reigns. The segment, intended to build anticipation for their WrestleMania 42 main event, included remarks that McIntyre felt diminished both his championship and the SmackDown brand.

The Initial Promo and McIntyre’s Response

During the RAW segment, CM Punk suggested that Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns could choose Drew McIntyre as his WrestleMania opponent, characterizing McIntyre as “the easier pick.” McIntyre responded on the subsequent episode of SmackDown, asserting his ability to defeat Reigns without the assistance of The Bloodline.

McIntyre’s Concerns: Beyond Personal Shots

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, McIntyre clarified that the personal jabs directed at him were not the source of his frustration. “Say whatever you want about me. I can protect myself,” he stated. He further noted that the exchanges weren’t particularly harsh, with Reigns even offering a defense of McIntyre at one point.

Instead, McIntyre’s primary concern stemmed from what he perceived as a devaluation of the WWE Undisputed Championship and the SmackDown brand. “It was just the stuff about the title and SmackDown and making it feel a little less than — when they’re such big superstars. Just focus on the title. Focus on each other,” he explained. He felt the focus should have remained on the championship itself, rather than implying SmackDown was a secondary platform.

A “Braveheart-Like” Response and Moving Forward

Driven by his disappointment, McIntyre delivered a passionate promo on SmackDown, which he described as a “Braveheart-like speech.” He expressed his hope that the SmackDown roster would respond by consistently delivering high-quality performances, reinforcing the brand’s importance.

McIntyre indicated that the issue appears to be resolved, with Punk and Reigns now focused on their preparations for WrestleMania 42 and SmackDown concentrating on its own storylines. “Now they’re focused on their stuff, and we’re focused on our stuff,” he said.

Key Takeaways

• Drew McIntyre was not bothered by personal attacks from CM Punk and Roman Reigns.
• His primary concern was the implication that the WWE Championship and the SmackDown brand were less significant.
• McIntyre responded with a passionate promo on SmackDown, urging the roster to elevate the brand.
• The situation appears to be resolved, with both parties now focused on their respective paths to WrestleMania 42.