Drew McIntyre admits that despite their animosity, he should be thanking CM Punk for one much-discussed television segment.
On the March 25th episode of Monday Night Raw, an injured CM Punk appeared live in front of his hometown Chicago crowd and got involved in a promo segment with Drew McIntyre and then-World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. The segment set up Punk appearing on commentary for the WrestleMania bout between McIntyre and Rollins, and saw the three men trade pointed shots back and forth.
Speaking in a new interview with the Daily Mail, McIntyre admitted he has to thank Punk for the segment as it helped fan the flames of their heated rivalry with one another.
“I have to thank him [Punk] for that I guess. One thing I can thank him for.
If he’s got that microphone you know he’s bringing his A-game and perhaps the first time we were in the ring together he was still finding his feet being back in WWE. I think he realised – I know he realised, I could see it in his eyes – this isn’t the same Drew and I had his number the first time we were in the ring together, and I stomped his stupid little arm.”
“It Kept Escalating” – Drew McIntyre On Promo Segment With CM Punk And Seth Rollins
Continuing, Drew McIntyre explained how exciting it was to get the crowd invested and go toe to toe with Punk on the microphone.
“The second time, I could see it in his eyes, ‘Right, I’m back, I’ve got all my guns loaded’, and this is the CM Punk of old. And I knew I could either step up to his level or I can drown and I don’t belong at his level. So it was cool to have that opportunity to go back and forth and have people go, ‘Oh my god, this is insane’.
When you thought it couldn’t get anymore insane it kept escalating and escalating. You have to be quick on your feet and you have to know exactly who you are in this industry if you’re going to compete at the top level. So I can say thank you to him for showing in that segment everybody that said well, Drew just went to-to-toe with Punk in his prime, on fire. And Seth also added to that segment in what has become something of a legendary segment. It’s all people talk to me about recently.”
Like Punk, Drew McIntyre is currently out of action with an injury and was pulled from the King of the Ring tournament as a result.
In a new report, plans for Drew McIntyre at WWE Clash At The Castle have been revealed.