Drew McIntyre: “I will bury John Cena inside the Chamber”: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 28, 2025

The final episode of WWE SmackDown before the highly anticipated Elimination Chamber 2025 event aired on February 28, 2025, live from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, and it delivered a night of electrifying moments that set the stage for the brutal showdown ahead. Among the highlights, Drew McIntyre stole the spotlight with a scathing promo aimed at John Cena, promising to “bury” the 16-time world champion inside the unforgiving steel structure. The Scottish Psychopath’s words sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe, amplifying the tension as six of the company’s top stars prepare to clash for a shot at Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41.

The night began with an air of anticipation as the Toronto crowd buzzed with excitement, knowing Elimination Chamber was just 24 hours away. McIntyre, a former WWE Champion and last year’s Elimination Chamber winner, wasted no time making his presence felt. Interrupting a video package celebrating Cena’s storied history in the Chamber, McIntyre stormed the ring with a microphone in hand, his intensity palpable. He didn’t hold back, unleashing a verbal onslaught on Cena that blended personal grievances with biting mockery. “I can see you, John,” McIntyre sneered, twisting Cena’s famous catchphrase into an accusation of hypocrisy. “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a hypocrite—and that’s what you are.”

McIntyre’s attack was relentless. He accused Cena of using his influence to secure a spot in the Chamber match without earning it, a move he claimed contradicted the values Cena once preached—hustle, loyalty, and respect. “What would 2010 John Cena think of you now?” he taunted, pointing to the veteran’s bald spot and joking it deserved its own area code. The crowd erupted in a mix of boos and laughter, feeding off McIntyre’s venomous delivery. But the Scottish Psychopath wasn’t done. He dug deeper, revealing a long-simmering resentment. “My issues with you go back years,” he said. “You won’t even remember, because I was just one of many. But I do—I’m not a kid anymore, I’m not a fan. I’m a big, angry psychopath locked inside the Chamber with you.”

The promo reached its crescendo when McIntyre vowed to end Cena’s legacy once and for all. “I am the monster guys like you created,” he declared, his voice booming through the arena. “And tomorrow night, inside that Chamber, I will bury you.” The Toronto faithful roared as McIntyre dropped the mic, his promise hanging in the air like a dark cloud over the upcoming match. It was a defining moment, one that underscored his determination to repeat last year’s success and secure another WrestleMania title opportunity—this time against Rhodes.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Elimination Chamber 2025. Alongside McIntyre and Cena, the match features a stacked lineup: CM Punk, Logan Paul, Seth Rollins, and Damian Priest. Each man brings his own vendetta and ambition to the table, making this one of the most unpredictable Chamber matches in recent memory. Punk, fresh off a heated rivalry with McIntyre, has his own score to settle, while Paul’s unpredictable antics promise to add chaos. Rollins and Priest, both former champions, are hungry to reclaim their spot at the top, and Cena, in what he’s called his final Chamber appearance, aims to cement his legacy with one last heroic run. The winner earns the right to challenge Rhodes, who watched the SmackDown chaos unfold from a skybox, his expression a mix of focus and unease.

McIntyre’s words weren’t just bravado—they were a declaration of intent backed by his recent momentum. Since returning to SmackDown earlier this month, he’s been on a tear, qualifying for the Chamber with a decisive win over LA Knight and Jimmy Uso. His physical condition, despite a knee issue that required fluid drainage last week, seems to be no obstacle. During a media call, McIntyre shrugged off concerns, saying he’d “tape himself together” if it meant facing off with Punk, Rollins, and Cena. That resilience, paired with his razor-sharp focus, makes him a formidable threat in the Chamber’s brutal confines.

The Toronto crowd’s reaction to McIntyre’s promo was electric, a testament to his ability to command attention. Posts on X lit up with fans praising his intensity, with some calling it one of the best promos of the year. Others speculated on the outcome, wondering if McIntyre could indeed “bury” Cena and emerge victorious. The personal stakes he laid bare—years of feeling overlooked by Cena and the old guard—added a layer of authenticity that resonated deeply, turning what could have been a standard heel rant into a gripping narrative.

As SmackDown went off the air, the image of McIntyre standing tall in the ring lingered, a stark contrast to the video of Cena’s past triumphs he’d interrupted. The stage is now set for Elimination Chamber, where words will give way to action. McIntyre’s promise to bury Cena isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a mission statement from a man who believes he’s been underestimated for too long. Whether he can deliver on it against a field of elite competitors remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Scottish Psychopath has made this personal, and the WWE Universe is hooked.

For Cena, the clock is ticking on his in-ring career, and a loss in his self-proclaimed final Chamber could be a devastating blow. For McIntyre, it’s a chance to prove he’s the future, not a footnote in Cena’s story. As the steel structure looms, the question isn’t just who will win—it’s whether McIntyre can back up his bold claim and bury a legend. By the end of March 1, 2025, we’ll have our answer, and the road to WrestleMania 41 will be forever altered.