Drew McIntyre On Previously ‘Entitled’ RAW Roster, Outworking Everyone, Working The Indies, & Who Convinced Him To Return To WWE

Jay Reddick of the Orlando Sentinel recently interviewed WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre before Monday’s upcoming RAW at the Amway Center. Highlights appear below.

On The Previous Complacency Of The RAW Roster:

I looked at Raw [last winter] and I saw room for improvement. A lot of people there looked a little complacent, a little bit entitled, not giving their all, the way I used to look. But I worked very hard to take advantage of my opportunities, so I hoped I could come in and set an example.

On Taking Advantage Of Opportunities While Working The Independents:

When I first went back, I guess in the back of my mind I had a chip on my shoulder, but I don’t think that way anymore. Now I just work harder than those around me and hope that everyone else starts doing the same.

On Working With Insane Championship Wrestling:

ICW was the first place I worked after my release, just three weeks later. The match drew 1,500 people, their biggest crowd of that year. Then I got to watch it grow as we all grew as performers, getting to 2,000, then 4,000, then in the last match before I came back [to WWE] they drew 7,000 people. I was so happy to see that happen in my home country – it’s the most rewarding part of my career to this point.

On Teaming With Johnny Gargano Against Aleister Black & Kassius Ohno (Evolve Tag Team Championship Victory):

The only preparation we did before that match was, we got together and said, ‘We’re four grown men who can take a hit. Let’s go to work. We beat each other up real good that night. I’m proud of what we’ve all become – those guys give 110 percent every night, and I know how much the business means to them.

On Why He Returned To WWE & Changes He’s Made In The Interim:

Triple H convinced me it was time to come home. I’m proud of the different man I became during my time away. I came back as the grown-up version of myself.

On Naming His Cat Hunter:

Now if I’m in the locker room or something and I hear about Hunter, I do a double-take. ‘Hunter said what? Oh, you mean Triple H.’ It gets pretty funny sometimes.

On His Ultimate Goal:

Now all I need to do is become the first British heavyweight champion. I’m not shy to say that’s the goal. If it isn’t, why are you even here?

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