Drew McIntyre Proclaims Himself “The John Cena Of NXT,” Says Gabe Sapolsky Is Helping With Creative

NXT #1 Contender Drew McIntyre was the guest this week on Sean Waltman's "X-Pac 1-2-360" Podcast and spoke about the upcoming NXT Takeover Brooklyn, where he'll be taking on Bobby Roode, as well as his time at the Performance Center and his old buddy Jinder Mahal becoming the WWE Champion. Here are some submitted Highlights

EVOLVE's Gabe Sapolsky is apparently working with the NXT Creative Team:

"He's fantastic. He thinks so far ahead. He always just gets me. …He's in NXT now. He's able to help me out. Gabe is able to say 'Hey, if we give you a mic in the ring, that's like a stronger area for a guy who really wasn't a promo guy before.'"

Drew thinks his first TakeOver, Brooklyn III will be better than SummerSlam:

"NXT TakeOver, is only four times a year, they're always a spectacle, everyone busts their ass. And we've got like a silent competition, I'll say it. SummerSlam is the next day. …We wanna top SummerSlam. We're gonna top SummerSlam."

What he thinks about old buddy and 3MB cohort Jinder Mahal winning the WWE Championship:

"I was there that night in Chicago. The pre-show for NXT the night before, I stayed for the PPV the next day. I didn't want to know the results, and I told both of them [Jinder Mahal] and Randy [Orton] don't tell me, I'll watch from the crowd. And when he won, most of the NXT roster were heading to the bus, and I sprinted off like the Ultimate Warrior, straight to 'gorilla.' I was right there waiting for him and I'm busting a 3MB air guitar."

He wants to be the "John Cena of NXT":

"Just think of me as your John Cena of NXT. If there is something going on and someone doesn't want to do it, then I'm your guy. I'm doing this, I'm happy. It's nothing fake, I generally do enjoy this."

Why he'd rather be on NXT instead of Raw or SmackDown:

"Just the buzz in the locker room, just the way the shows are put together. How much your opinion is valued. It's a team effort, and that's how it feels just one big team effort. I didn't want to be on Raw or SmackDown, I said that publicly before. I wanted to be a part of NXT, and [Triple H] bringing me into his baby, wanting me to be a part of it is such a huge honor."

What it's like working with Shawn Michaels at the Performance Center:

"It's not something I've spoken about publicly yet, but Shawn Michaels teaches pro wrestling at the Performance Center. And when I came in with the contract I have, I don't technically have to be there. I mean, I'm fortunate with the deal I have, but then you've got that opportunity you're in that position then it's up to you. You know, whether you want to sit on your ass or you have the opportunity to work with the best in-ring wrestler of all time. It is literally like studying for your Ph.D. in wrestling."

You can download the podcast at this link.