Drew McIntyre, the Scottish professional wrestler known for his larger-than-life persona and one of WWE's most formidable villains, has a story that goes beyond the ring. Born in Prestwick, Scotland, McIntyre's journey to wrestling stardom has been shaped not only by his upbringing but also by the profound influence of his mother, Angela, who remains a guiding light in his life.
McIntyre grew up during a time when 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper, a Canadian wrestler donned in a kilt, was the primary Scottish connection to WWE. This early exposure to wrestling ignited a passion in him, yet it was his mother who provided the encouragement to pursue his dreams. Despite facing her own battles with health issues, Angela McIntyre instilled resilience and determination in her son.
Angela's battle with cancer tragically ended in 2012 when she was just 51 years old. Drew recalls her strength vividly.
"She was told perhaps she'd never live a normal life. She fought through, she met my dad and had my brother and I," he said. "When she became sick the cancer didn't slow her down. Just observing her growing up, and everything she went through all the way to the end of her life… had an effect on me."
In addition to wrestling, McIntyre pursued higher education, studying criminology at Glasgow's Caledonian University for four years. However, the call of the ring was too strong to ignore. He started his wrestling career with Scottish promotions like Insane Championship Wrestling before signing with WWE in 2007 at the age of 21. Initially, his career saw some setbacks, but he rebounded in 2014 with a championship win in Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling.
Now a three-time holder of WWE's world and heavyweight titles, McIntyre incorporates his Scottish identity into his wrestling persona. He often uses Scottish phrases and celebrates the cultural heritage that has influenced him. He takes pride in the growing representation of Scottish talent within WWE, including stars like Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre.
McIntyre has engaged in high-profile feuds with some of the industry's biggest names, including CM Punk. Their rivalry showcased not only McIntyre's wrestling prowess but also his ability to engage audiences with compelling storytelling. Reflecting on their encounters, McIntyre expressed a desire for further competition.
"I want to go toe to toe with him like I did CM Punk, and I crushed Punk, and then I'll get him in the ring. I'll shake his hand and say thanks for all he's done, but get out – this is my world now," he asserted.
Despite being characterized as a wrestling villain, McIntyre emphasizes the complexity of human experiences reflected in character development within wrestling storylines. He believes that wrestling can evolve beyond its traditional good-versus-evil narrative.
"There's a certain view of wrestling… that it needs to be very black and white," he explained. "Some of us are more forward thinking and going 'why, that's not how life works.'"
With a keen focus on character depth, he adds that other entertainment mediums successfully develop layered characters and intricate storylines.
"Look at all these other shows… There's no excuse that we can't do that," he commented.
As he continues to navigate his career, McIntyre recently headlined the Clash at the Castle event at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow. He is set to return to the venue in March for an episode of WWE's television show Raw. This return to his home country symbolizes not only his success but also his commitment to bringing Scottish culture into the global wrestling spotlight.
Now residing in Nashville, Tennessee, with his family, McIntyre reflects on how far he has come both as a professional wrestler and as a person. His journey is a testament to hard work and perseverance against all odds.
"Everybody thought I was insane, but I was adamant that I would be the first person signed from Scotland to WWE," he recalled. "My parents at least believed in me enough that the agreement was they'd support this crazy dream as long as I stuck in at school, which I did."
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