WWE has been running shows from an empty Performance Center in Orlando since March 13 when states started to ban large gatherings. WWE was forced to hold WrestleMania 36 from the Performance Center and they'll continue without fans for the foreseeable future.
But when fans are allowed back in the building, Drew McIntyre wants to be the first face they see.
"I want to go into the show as champion. The fans are already passionate and rowdy to begin with. The fact that this situation, they're going to be so excited for anything. I want to walk out in front of them -- I had my WrestleMania moment when I reached to the camera and thanked everybody -- but I want to walk out there, raise the title and that's going to be all of our wrestling moment. That moment is going to live in time. I want to be the first guy to walk out. I don't want any dark matches, any other shows pre-taped. I want to be the first guy to walk out there, raise the title, and everybody to say, 'Hell yeah, we're back.' That moment is going to live in time. It's going to be a huge ass wrestling moment," said McIntyre on Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia.
As mentioned, McIntyre had his WrestleMania moment in front of no one at the Performance Center when he defeated Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Title.
Elsewhere on the podcast, McIntyre detailed how his plans shifted when he found out things across the world were rapidly changing due to COVID-19.
"I had media in England for a day, we flew to Scotland, I went to bed around 1 in the morning. We were filming a commercial at 8 in the morning, I woke up at 3:30, checked my phone and it said, 'We're pulling you out.' I was like, 'Okay, things must not be good.' I contacted the WWE rep, they hadn't heard anything. I told them to wake up the crew and get everyone prepared, we're filming early. My flight was now leaving Glasgow when we were supposed to finish the shoot. I had to [get to the airport] an hour early and it's an hour drive. We lost half the time to make the commercial. I flew to Toronto for the live event. There was no wifi on the plane and when I landed, checked my phone, the event had been canceled. Then I had to get home to Florida," he said.
McIntyre is set to defend his WWE Title against Seth Rollins at WWE Money in the Bank, which will also take place at the Performance Center.
If you use any of the quotes above, please give a h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription.
