Drew McIntyre recently offered a detailed comparison of the creative processes under Vince McMahon and Paul “Triple H” Levesque, explaining how the change in leadership has allowed him to develop a more complex and authentic character. During an appearance on the Impaulsive podcast, McIntyre described Triple H’s approach as more “modern thinking” compared to Vince’s more singular, protective vision.
Vince’s “Warrior”
McIntyre explained that under McMahon, his character was often presented in a more traditional, black-and-white “warrior” archetype. He believes Vince’s vision for him was protective, but also limiting.
“For Vince, I think for me, personally, he had a certain image of me, and he was always looking to protect me as this warrior character,” McIntyre said. “And just if I want to try something outside the box and stuff I’m doing now, like, for me personally, it probably wouldn’t happen just because he was like, ‘No, this is my Drew. This is my warrior. This is how I see it.'”
Creative Freedom With Triple H
Under Triple H, McIntyre feels he has been given the freedom to be himself and explore more nuanced aspects of his personality, leading to his current “justified” character. “Hunter is very much of the modern thinking,” he explained. “We’re going to try something different. We’re going to let you… be yourself, and let this personality that he knew I had shine. And from the second we had our first conversation, when he took over, it’s been exactly that.”
He pointed to the success of The Bloodline storyline as an example of the deep, layered storytelling that is now possible. “We watched what happened with The Bloodline, just how WWE shouldn’t be black and white,” McIntyre said. “We can grow these deep, layered, complex storylines, these deep, layered, complex characters… I’ve been able to develop this McIntyre character where people know me inside and out. They know my thinking. They know exactly who I am.” He clarified that the process is still a collaboration. “They come up with the plan… ‘Here’s where we’re going, Drew, put your your color in it… Here’s the outline I see… Drew, put your lyrics in there.'”
Learning From The Undertaker
During the conversation, McIntyre also shared a classic story about receiving cryptic advice from The Undertaker when he was a young wrestler. “I got put with The Undertaker… I’d talk to ‘Taker, and we’d talk on the phone,” he began. “[I’d ask] ‘What did Undertaker say?’ ‘I don’t know. He just talks in riddles.’ I’d come back after the match, and I was like, ‘Taker, what did you think?’ He was like, ‘Stop playing the wrestler and be the wrestler.’ What the f— does that mean?… It took so long to realize, ‘Oh, he’s saying, I’m trying too hard. I’m not present.'”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Impaulsive with Logan Paul with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
