WWE Stars Respond After Tom Brady Calls Wrestling 'Cute'

Superstars Drew McIntyre, Paul Heyman, and CM Punk fire back at the NFL legend's comments.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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In a recent interview, seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady dismissed the athleticism of WWE Superstars, calling professional wrestling "cute." This sparked a backlash from several top WWE stars, including current champion Drew McIntyre, Hall of Famer Paul Heyman, and former champion CM Punk, who defended the legitimacy of their sport.

Why it matters

Brady's comments highlight the ongoing debate over the athletic merits of sports entertainment compared to traditional professional sports. The WWE stars' responses demonstrate the pride they have in their craft and the desire to defend the physical demands of their profession.

The details

During an appearance on Logan Paul's 'Impaulsive' podcast, Brady claimed NFL players like Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., and Justin Jefferson are examples of 'real' elite athletes, unlike WWE Superstars. This prompted a reaction from several WWE personalities during the company's recent 'WWE 2K26' Creator Fest event.

  • On February 20, 2026, Tom Brady made the comments about WWE on the 'Impaulsive' podcast.
  • On February 20, 2026, WWE Superstars responded to Brady's remarks at the 'WWE 2K26' Creator Fest event.

The players

Tom Brady

A seven-time Super Bowl champion and future NFL Hall of Famer.

Drew McIntyre

The current WWE Champion, in his third reign with the title.

Paul Heyman

A WWE Hall of Famer and advocate for various wrestlers.

CM Punk

A former World Heavyweight Champion in WWE.

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What they’re saying

“I don't get annoyed, it just comes from a place of ignorance.”

— Drew McIntyre, WWE Champion (Sports Illustrated)

“What's Tom Brady done? He's thrown a football across a field that was caught by (Rob) Gronkowski. Gronkowski deserves the credit. (Bill) Belichick and his girlfriend (Jordon Hudson) deserve the credit. But Tom Brady, nuh uh.”

— Paul Heyman, WWE Hall of Famer (Sports Illustrated)

“What's wrong with cute, Tom? I'm cute, Tom.”

— CM Punk, World Heavyweight Champion (Sports Illustrated)

What’s next

It's highly unlikely that Tom Brady would ever step into a wrestling ring, but with celebrities like Bad Bunny, Jelly Roll, and Rob Gronkowski having tried out their wrestling skills, the possibility can never be fully ruled out.

The takeaway

Brady's dismissive comments about the athleticism of WWE Superstars have sparked a passionate response from the wrestling community, highlighting the ongoing debate over the legitimacy of sports entertainment compared to traditional professional sports.