Drew McIntyre Shares Feelings On Recent WWE Releases, Own Experience Of Being Laid Off

Through much of the past year, the professional wrestling world has seen a handful of names being released by WWW due to reported budget cuts.

The backstage presence of popular veterans such as The Big Show, Mickie James and Tyler Breeze will surely be missed by many.

There were also a ton of wrestlers seen as the future of WWE that ended up getting the pink slip. This includes names such as Andrade, Braun Strowman and even Aleister Black.

Many outlets have since taken note of WWE’s surprising cuts of performers that were instrumental in shifting the limelight away from past company mainstays like Randy Orton, John Cena and The Undertaker.

For example, many saw Black as the new-age Undertaker due to his "fallen angel" gimmick that has some similarities with the legend’s storyline mystique.

The majority of the fanbase was disappointed with these budget cuts as the company had been making profits despite the pandemic happening.

Speaking to the media via virtual press conference, former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre was asked by International Business Times' Nissi Icasiano about the heavily-criticized move made by the promotion.

“You know, when the releases happen, it’s a sad time. We’re gonna miss seeing a lot of our superstars regularly every week (on) television,” he said. “But at the same time, it is a huge opportunity. That’s the way I look at it.”

“Perhaps some of the superstars that were released weren’t particularly happy with their position. Now, they have an opportunity to go out there and reinvent themselves and the world’s opening back up. The wrestling scene was thriving and will be thriving again very soon with live fans back in the building all across the world,” McIntyre added.

“And they’ll get the chance to go out there and try something different. Really make their own name and create their own buzz.”

McIntyre also looked back fondly at the time when he was on the receiving end of the unfortunate news years ago.

“I was so fortunate that when I was released from the WWE, that’s exactly what my mindset was–I’m gonna put the image out that I see myself as, as opposed to what others see me as. Thankfully, it caught on. I was given a lot of opportunities outside of WWE to make my name and it brought me back to WWE and to the top of the mountain.”

Despite the bleakness of the situation, McIntyre still believes that many of the released superstars have a chance to shine elsewhere and could possibly be brought back to the company.

“There are so many talented individuals that just got released. They can do exactly the same [as I did]. If they’ve got the work ethic and the passion, they’re gonna make it happen and I’ll see them all again one day,” he stated.

McIntyre has found a new way back to the title picture as he will be competing in the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match on July 18 against Ricochet, John Morrison, Riddle, Big E and Kevin Owens--with more names to be added very soon.