Drew McIntyre has admitted that his pitch for the “I pray for this and it happened” line to CM Punk could have gone too far.
The 4-time World Champion took continuous shots at CM Punk ever since Punk made his way back to WWE at Survivor Series 2023. Punk’s first televised match following the return was at the Royal Rumble the following year. Unfortunately for Punk, he suffered a torn tricep in the match, meaning he would not be able to compete at WrestleMania 40.
Although the update was a crushing blow to many, McIntyre saw things a different way. Showing no sympathy to Punk, McIntyre said the line “I prayed for this and it happened” before knocking an injured Punk down.
“I Had An Idea And It Was Too Much”: Drew McIntyre On Original Plans For CM Punk Segment
While speaking with Chris Van Vliet, McIntyre stated that he had a different idea for the line, but noted that it was an extreme version. The Scottish star added that it was Triple H who came up with the line that was uttered on TV, adding that it was probably the better idea:
“I knew talking to Triple H during the day that this is going to be so good. I had an idea and it was too much. It would have offended a lot of people, which I’m very good at. He helped me reel it back, and then Hunter himself came out with the line, which I ended up using because I had such an extreme version, and he dialed it back and the way he said it and the cadence of how it’s to be said. He said it like that, and I got so excited. He’s obviously a savant when it comes to this business. Sometimes though he comes out with [things]; I went, how do you think of that? But it was like, that is genius, and oh my god, that is going to be so good. I know as a fan, I would lose my mind.”
The still of McIntyre saying the line has gone viral since. From wrestling to sports and beyond, McIntyre’s face with the line has been used when fans want to mock another team’s misfortune. McIntyre stated that he was being somewhat sympathetic, as he has also suffered loss, but maintained his hatred towards Punk. McIntyre also acknowledged how much fans enjoyed his rivalry with Punk, which ended in a critically acclaimed Hell in a Cell match:
“Didn’t think I’d be seeing it to this day for everything, no matter what. It’s sports, it’s outside of wrestling, it’s constantly me pointing, ‘I prayed for this, and it happened.’ But I knew in that moment when Hunter delivered the line back to me by toning me down a little bit. I went, wow, that is genius. Because I’m going to use that exact tone. The promo itself, I was being sympathetic, I believe, because Punk had got injured, and I understand what it’s like to have things taken away from me, and I’ve been injured before, and I’ve lost in my life in the ring and out of the ring, and I can get real personal. But I hate that son of a bitch, and I’m going to say it in the exact same tone all the way through till people go, wait, what? His face goes, what? And I drop his ass. So yeah, that’s cool. I mean, those promos, that feud, they voted it the best feud of the 2020s.”
McIntyre has been away from TV since WrestleMania 42. The former World Champion has been filming multiple projects, such as Highlander, The Last Druid, and the ReelShorts and WWE collaboration Agent of Shadows. Although he has teased a WWE return on social media, McIntyre has said that he will return when the time is right:
“I’m sure you saw the clip that was out there when I was running the ropes. I was just rolling around the ring at Miro’s school, Rusev; you’re very welcome. It’s here in Nashville, and my buddy was like, I’ve never seen anybody hit the ropes so fast because he’s not seen Bron Breaker, the only other man that’s faster than me. He got a little clip, a 15-second clip, and it blew up online. I think over 8 million views, so people seem to be excited about the idea that I’m coming back to wrestling, but I’m just seeing what happens right now. I’m enjoying myself. Hollywood Drew is jumping from project to project, and when the time is right, WWE is home.”
Featured image: WWE
