WWE star returns home for ICW Hall of Fame induction
Drew McIntyre - also known as Drew Galloway - says the honour means as much to him as 'any title he's ever won'
The first Scot to ever wrestle for the WWE is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of Scotland’s biggest wrestling promotion.
Ayr-born Drew McIntyre – also known as Drew Galloway – began his career with Insane Championship Wrestling, becoming the promotion’s inaugural Heavyweight Champion in 2006.
He joined WWE in 2007, winning the Intercontinental Title and the Tag Titles, before returning to his home promotion in 2014.
Drew recaptured the ICW Heavyweight Title shortly afterwards, holding it for more than a year before re-signing with the WWE – and the prestigious NXT brand – in April last year.
The Scottish Superstar will receive the honour in person, heading to the Fight Club taping at the O2 ABC in Glasgow on Monday night.
Speaking to Clyde News, Drew said: ”I’m so, so excited to get back home and to get back to ICW.
“Over the past few years I was travelling back and forward from America to ICW literally every three, four weeks, running myself into the ground, trying to build a reputation for myself and for the company.
“I re-signed with the WWE as part of NXT and I’ve been gone for about 7 or 8 months since the last time I was home in Scotland.
“I’m very excited to be coming home for a start, but also to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, that’s pretty incredible.
“And I’m 32 years old, I’m not 50 like everyone seems to think because I’m getting inducted into the Hall of Fame!”
Drew has been out of action with a bicep injury he picked up during his NXT Title defence against Andrade Cien Almas.
On his recovery, he said: “I’m going to say this much: I’ve not made any public appearances thus far, nobody knows what’s going on, and my first public appearance will be at ICW.
“I’m going to let the crowd judge for themselves how my bicep looks, and I’ll tell you this much, I’ve got my sights set on New Orleans and NXT TakeOver.”
Drew began his craft at the age of just 14, growing up in Ayrshire before studying at Glasgow Caledonian University.
He explained: “I grew up in Ayr, literally on the border of Ayr and Prestwick. I should’ve gone to Ayr Academy, but I went to Prestwick because that’s where all my friends were going.
“Never mind a guy from Ayr going to WWE, nobody would’ve thought for a second a guy from Scotland could go to WWE.
“21 years old I was signed and I was the first ever Scotsman there. But to watch since then the likes of Noam Dar, Nicki Cross, Wolfgang all making it, is just incredible to see what’s happening these days.”
Drew admits the honour of being included in the ICW Hall of Fame is one that goes beyond the wrestling ring.
He said: “When ICW told me they wanted to induct me into the Hall of Fame and recognise what I’d done for the company, I told them how it meant as much to me as any title I’ve ever won.
“I ran it by Triple H and he’s the one who said I should be there physically to accept the award. That’s wrestling in 2018.
“We’re going to have the biggest party of the year, because I’m there for one night only.”