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Shark Rumble, a new Discovery+ special featuring WWE star Drew McIntyre, debuted yesterday on the streaming service, timed obviously for Shark Week.
The special opened with Drew needing a pep talk so he could get his head back in the game to recover his WWE title. He was getting it from two sea lions. I kid you not. They approved him wanting the title back and spit their tongues out at the idea of Bobby Lashley. He then asked them if they liked sharks and they were not fond of them and didn't like the idea of Drew diving with sharks.
At this point, we learned Drew was at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, the biggest aquarium in the United States. He was joined by Luke Tipple, a Shark Week host. Drew admitted he doesn't like to be in the ocean and avoids it because Hollywood has made sharks out to be the bad guys when they are not. Today, he's going to overcome his fear. They tour the facility and marvel at the sea life.
They learned about the sea life at the Aquarium, including whale sharks, which in the United States can only be seen at this facility. They broke down how they were fed and how they were brought to the facility. They went to the top of the Ocean Voyager section, where they fed the Whale Sharks. Drew and Tipple take part in feeding one of the Sharks via a ladle. Drew seemed to really be enjoying feeding the shark. He said to see a whale shark up close and feed them was amazing. He joked they are gentle giants like him...until he's in the ring.
Drew talked about having the dream to make it to America and the WWE. He recounted his passion for making it as they showed lots of old footage and photos. He broke down the global footprint of WWE's popularity and how he tries to use it to spread positive images of sharks today, just as he does when WWE visits hospitals and the troops. He noted how hard and rough the WWE life is and was asked how he goes from that fearlessness to the fear of diving with sharks. Drew noted that he's had that fear embedded in him since he was a kid and has never liked going in the ocean. As a kid, he would refuse to do so on family vacations.
They went to the shark tank, where Drew joked they sensed the fear and were messing with him. He said being near them was step one of facing his fear. They noted that deep down in the ocean they are likely species of sharks and other aquatic creatures yet to be discovered. Drew said everything has to be just right for him to want to get in the water and noted everyone watching probably thinks he's doing a bit but he's not.
Luke and Drew got into wet suits to prepare for their dive. McIntyre was surprised at how small his wetsuit looked. After changing, Drew Facetimed with his wife for a last second pep talk. She said he spent a lot of time learning about sharks and now's the chance to use that knowledge to help and educate others. She told him she was proud of him.
They put on masks and were dropped, in a clear cage, into the tank. They were told they could drop into the water, which Drew said felt weird. A giant hammerhead shark swam by and Drew said he felt like he was in a dream. We learned that Tiger Sharks eat old and diseased fish, helping to spread infection. They were brought back up above the water. McIntyre had the largest smile on his face after he took off his mask and took a deep breath. He said the experience was awesome.
McIntyre said he was glad he got so close to the sharks. He said he had an irrational fear of them and that they were majestic animals who need to be saved and protected. He hoped his experience would inspire others to educate themselves and overcome their fears.
The special felt like something of a backdoor pilot for WWE to work with Discovery, so we'll see if this means additional projects between the two entities. McIntyre came off absolutely great here as a likable personality trying to overcome his own fear and wanting to pay everything he learned and experienced forward. The opening scene with him interacting with the sea lions was perhaps one of the sillest, smile-inducing things I've seen in some time with a pro wrestler. The segment where they were feeding the whale shark was also interesting as heck. This was absolutely an enjoyable 22 minutes and worth checking out if you are a McIntyre fan or have even a passing interest in sharks.
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