Drew McIntyre Explains Why He Doesn’t Follow Scripts in WWE

Drew McIntyre’s growth as a heel over the past year is a big reason why he’s now one of the top stars in WWE. His strong promo skills make him stand out, and he has now confirmed that the words he says in his promos are written by him.

While speaking on the WAFFLIN’ podcast, Drew McIntyre was asked about how much creative control he has in WWE, especially when it comes to doing things his own way, even if it means going off script.

McIntyre explained that it’s a collaborative process, especially now. He doesn’t write the storylines himself, those are created by the WWE creative team, which is led by Triple H. The team comes up with the direction and ideas, and then they present them to him. Each week, he works with the team to figure out where things are going and how to get there.

When it comes to what he says in the ring, that part is all him. He might work with someone to polish things up, but every word is what he wants to say and how he wants to say it. Nobody tells him how to be Drew McIntyre, because he is Drew McIntyre.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s very much a collaboration, especially these days. Like, I don’t write the storylines or anything like that. The creative team, led by Triple H, they come up with the storylines, the direction we’re going, things like that. They’ll present it to me, and every week I’ll sit down with the team and figure out, ‘Okay, this is where we are, this is where we’re going.’

But the words that come out of my mouth—that’s me. I’ll work with someone if I need to, but it’s 100% what I want to say and how I would say it. No one can tell me how to be Drew McIntyre, because I am Drew McIntyre.”

McIntyre admitted that he often drives people backstage crazy because he doesn’t rely on a script. With his years of experience, he speaks from instinct and feeling. He understands the story and the message that needs to come across, but if something doesn’t feel right in the moment, he’ll trust his gut and change it up.

Sometimes his instincts lead him to do the exact opposite of what’s written down, and he’s fine with that. He listens to the crowd because they’re the ones who show what’s working. If they respond well, he knows he’s doing the right thing. If he sticks to the script and there’s no reaction, then he knows it’s time to take a different route.

“A lot of the time, I drive people crazy because when I go out there, I’ve been doing this a long time—I don’t go off words on a stupid piece of paper. I go off of feel. I know the message we’re trying to get across, the story we’re telling, and the time we’ve got to do it. But if something doesn’t feel right when I’m out there, I go with my gut.

Sometimes, my gut tells me to do something totally different than what’s written, and I do it anyway. I listen to the crowd, because they tell me what’s working—not someone backstage, not a damn piece of paper. If I do something and they react, I know it’s working. If I stick to the script and they don’t care? Screw that, I’m changing direction.”

For him, the audience is the guide. If they’re into something, he follows that energy. It’s then up to his opponent to keep up with him. If they can’t, he has no problem outshining them, and he believes if someone can’t handle that, they shouldn’t be on television.

“I can hear them. If something’s working, I follow that path. And it’s up to my opponent to be good enough to keep up with me. If they can’t? I’ll eat them alive—and that’s on them. They shouldn’t be on TV if they can’t hang.”

Since changing his character, McIntyre has become a major part of WWE shows, giving some of the most powerful and real promos around. His honesty and years of experience make his words feel genuine; fans can tell he’s not just acting, he truly means what he says, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.

What do you think of what Drew McIntyre said? Do you prefer when Superstars speak from the heart like Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes, or do you think scripted promos have their place in wrestling too? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear your take on this!