Much like The Undertaker, WWE superstar Drew McIntyre isn’t too fond of the current locker room culture—why don’t they look like athletes?
Whether inside or outside the ring, McIntyre is uncompromising. In a fiery interview on the Huge Pop podcast with Donny De-Silva and Jimmy Korderas, the former WWE Champion blasted today’s locker room, saying too many current performers don’t look or act like superstars.
“I don’t know why it was so controversial,” McIntyre stated, addressing his much-discussed comments that up to 85% of the roster shouldn’t be WWE Superstars. “You don’t have to be big and jacked like me. You just have to look like an athlete. Get in the damn gym. You’ve got the money, you’ve got the time—there’s no excuse for sitting on your couch eating pizza.”
Is Drew McIntyre correct in his evaluation of the current locker room?
For McIntyre, the issue extends beyond just physical appearance; it encompasses professionalism and commitment as well. He believes that wrestling still demands the presence of a genuine athlete, a quality he feels is lacking in many current performers. His straightforward criticism resonates with sentiments expressed by seasoned veterans like The Undertaker, who have frequently lamented the diminishing mystique and discipline observed in modern wrestlers.
McIntyre also took aim at younger talent more focused on cultivating Twitter clout than honing their craft. “Stop playing the wrestler—be the wrestler,” he urged. “Most of them don’t ask for advice. They go to Twitter and say, ‘I’m amazing,’ instead of learning from the veterans. If you’re on my show, and you’re dragging it down, yes—I’m talking about you.”
It’s the kind of tough love that may ruffle feathers, yet McIntyre has never hesitated to hold both himself and others to a higher standard. Over the past decade, discipline, hard work, and a commitment to ongoing improvement have been the foundation of his career revival. Now, he’s calling for that same passion from the next generation.
Whether the locker room views his words as inspiration or as another harsh critique remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Drew McIntyre has established a high bar, and he’s pushing everyone else to reach it.
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*Top Photo: WWE/Getty Images