Drew McIntyre Fires Back At Wrestling Critics: “It’s 2025 And People Still Say It’s Fake?”

Drew McIntyre, one of WWE’s most battle-tested Superstars, has spent decades putting his body on the line inside the squared circle. And when he hears people dismiss wrestling as “fake,” the former WWE Champion doesn’t hold back.

While appearing on the WAFFLIN Podcast, McIntyre addressed the long-standing criticism and misconceptions about professional wrestling. He called such comments disrespectful, especially considering the physical toll the craft takes on performers.

“If anyone can figure out how to fake gravity, please tell me. Every time I jump up, I keep freaking falling down and it hurts…”

McIntyre emphasized that while WWE doesn’t pretend to be a legitimate combat sport, its hybrid nature of storytelling and athleticism is often misunderstood.

“We’re like a live-action soap opera. We do our takes in one in front of a live audience—a very interactive product. We never claimed for it to be real. So bizarre in 2025 people are saying, ‘No, it’s fake.’ Look at Daniel Day-Lewis and say, ‘Your movies are not real, by the way.’ And he would get offended because he’s such a method actor.”

He continued, highlighting the global reach and passionate fanbase wrestling commands:

“There’s a reason we have our fans, a reason we have millions and millions and millions of fans, literally all across the world… billions of social media [impressions].”

McIntyre also shared a personal anecdote about how some of his friends in Scotland—who weren’t initially wrestling fans—changed their minds after experiencing a WWE show live.

“They come and check out a live show… the spectacle, the athleticism… and they go, ‘Oh my God, there’s so much more to this than I thought there was.’ There’s something for everybody. We’re such a smorgasbord of entertainment.”

His final message was simple and passionate:

“We never claimed to be the things that people don’t watch us say we are. So I always say—just give it a freaking chance. We might just hook you.”

Drew McIntyre is currently scheduled to face Damian Priest in a singles match at WrestleMania 41, in what promises to be another hard-hitting chapter in his storied career.