LA Knight referenced backstage rumors about Drew McIntyre’s Royal Rumble drama after delivering a mental health message on SmackDown.
Reports this week suggested McIntyre was ‘visibly upset’ following his elimination from the big match, and that he stormed out of Lucas Oil Stadium afterwards.
His annoyance is said to have stemmed from timing issues caused by spots involving Knight and Logan Paul, which led to the Scot being dumped out of the rumble in underwhelming fashion.
The moment, which saw Damian Priest toss him over the top rope, was almost missed by Michael Cole and Pat McAfee on commentary.
The two wrestlers also appeared to bump into Knight on their way across the ring.
Reports claimed McIntyre was ‘screaming and cursing’ backstage after being eliminated, and that he complained ‘someone had to get their moves in’ at the expense of some of the stories being told in the match.
Six days on, ahead of SmackDown on February 7, WWE announced that McIntyre was being moved to the blue brand – and he wasted no time making his presence felt.
He cut a promo to mark his arrival, taking shots at Monday Night Raw and calling it a ‘toxic brand.’
But the former world champion was soon interrupted by Jimmy Uso and Knight, who both came out with microphones in hand.
As he made his way to the ring, Knight beckoned the camera closer and spoke directly to the audience about the importance of men’s mental health, before addressing McIntyre.
“Let me just say this, in my life, in my career, I want to be somebody who effects good change before I die,” he began.
“So I’m going to speak to all the men, all the boys… I mean this from the bottom of my heart, if something arises in your life that hits you in the feels and you have to cry, let it out.
“It’s good for your mental health, it doesn’t make you any less of a man.”
After delivering his message, Knight ran down McIntyre on the mic, and said there were three things guaranteed in life: Death, taxes and ‘Drew McIntyre crying like a damn baby.’
He wrapped up his promo by directly addressing the reports of backstage heat, saying, ‘Oh, wait. I forgot to get my stuff in’ before having the crowd shout his catch phrase.
Those words were a direct reference to McIntyre’s reported backstage meltdown, and drew a smile from the Scottish star who was standing in the ring.
After they went back and forth on the mic, McIntyre, Knight and Uso met in a triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
It was McIntyre who eventually won the brutal bout, catching Knight with a Claymore before pinning him to secure the third spot in next month’s Elimination Chamber match.
Three others will join him, CM Punk and John Cena in that event, with a world championship match at WrestleMania 41 on the line.