Drew McIntyre comments on his extended absence from WWE television
Drew McIntyre has been absent from WWE television since his loss to Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 42. While speaking to Bradley Martyn’s Raw Talk, McIntyre commented on taking time off for movie projects…
“Once I finished Highlander, I was about to return to WWE, and I got a phone call from the agent. He said to me, ‘Russell Crowe is asking for you to be in a movie.’
Yeah. Okay. And I hung up. I should have said, ‘I’ve got De Niro on the other line or something.’ Someone said that recently. It was pretty funny.
But I didn’t believe it. I just hung up, and he called me back. He said, ‘I’m serious. It really is. You’re wanted for this movie.’ And I was like, ‘Okay, sorry about that.’ But he sent me the script, whatever. Let’s talk about it, I guess, if this is a real thing.
Then I really liked the script. I loved the character, and the fact that Russell was asking for me was just bizarre to me. I guess he went to Henry and kind of asked about me. Henry put me over for the performance on Highlander, and we got working with WWE. I said, ‘I know I’ve been out for a couple of months and I’m supposed to come back, but there’s this thing here. I think it’s a big opportunity. I’m not leaving. I want to be the first full-time WWE wrestler that’s done two movies with A-listers back to back. I think it’s a great look for the company. It’s good for my brand, which is good for our brand.’
Basically had that whole speech ready. The executives said, ‘Okay, if Triple H says okay.’ And I had it ready. I got him on the phone, and we’re talking, and I’m like, ‘Here we go. I’ve got my notes.’
And he was like, ‘Yeah, Drew, I think it’s best we keep you off and do it because it is a great opportunity.’
I was like, ‘Oh, damn it! But, Paul, I’ve got all these notes and things to—’
He was like, ‘No, D, you’re good. You don’t even have to tell me.'”
McIntyre also stated the following about his return…
“I can’t wait for people to see, you know, how I am in the ring, how I’m moving now. And, you know, maybe I’ll be back soon. Maybe I’ll be back later, but for now, we’re focused on Hollywood Drew. When I come back, because I will be talking about it nonstop. Your ears are going to bleed from how much I’m going to talk about it and how much people should be grateful that I’m back, because I don’t need WWE and the fans now, you need me.”