Andrew McLean Galloway IV was born inAyr on 6 June 1985.[3][4] He grew up in nearbyPrestwick, where he studied atPrestwick Academy.[5] He considered being a professionalfootball player when he was younger, playing for the youth club Prestwick Boys, normally indefensive positions. When he was 10 years old, Galloway read a magazine namedX Factor, which focused on conspiracy theories and ghost stories; this prompted him to write a letter to theFBI under theFreedom of Information Act, to which the FBI responded by sending him a file with several documents.[6] A fan of professional wrestling as a child,[7] he started training at the age of 15, and his parents agreed to support him as long as he gave the same amount of focus to his studies.[8] He agreed and earned amaster's degree incriminology fromGlasgow Caledonian University in 2006, also briefly attendingBirmingham University during his exchange year.[4][8]
In 2003, Galloway made his debut for the inaugural show ofBritish Championship Wrestling (BCW), operating in theGreater Glasgow area. While there, he trained under Colin McKay and Spinner McKenzie,[2] then developing the character of "Thee" Drew Galloway, a cockynarcissist.[9] His first match, which took place at February'sNo Blood, No Sympathy: Night 1, saw him lose to Stu Natt.[10] He picked up his first win on the second night in a tag team match alongsideWolfgang, defeating Blade and Stu Pendous.[11] By December, Galloway wasmanaged by Charles Boddington, who aided him in his first significant success and managed him for the next four years.
Later that year, Galloway had a series of matches against American veterans. In June, he lost toThe Honky Tonk Man[12] and later that month lost toMarty Jannetty and Highlander, with Sabotage on his side.[13] In November, at the aptly titledLo Down, Galloway main-evented againstD'Lo Brown in a match which ended in a double countout.[14] He then had a brief series of feuds as in March 2005, he defeated Jay Phoenix[15] but their rematch in November, officiated byMick Foley, ended in a no contest.[16] In May 2006, after their lengthy feud inIrish Whip Wrestling, Galloway lost then won in successive matches against long-term rivalSheamus O'Shaunessy.[17][18]
In November 2006, Galloway andLionheart defeated BCW Heavyweight Champion Highlander and Wolfgang atLive inEast Kilbride, after Galloway pinned Highlander.[19] At December'sNo Blood, No Sympathy IV event, Galloway defeated Highlander in an"I Quit" match with Conscience as the special guest referee to win his second BCW Heavyweight Championship.[20] He held the title through 2007, with successful defenses against the likes ofMartin Stone, Allan Grogan and Lionheart, before vacating the title when he relocated to the United States in September.[3]
After gaining momentum in Scotland, Galloway began wrestling dates across the Republic of Ireland withIrish Whip Wrestling (IWW).[9] After losing to "SOS" Sheamus O'Shaunessy on 27 August 2006,[21] Galloway defeated O'Shaunessy to win the IWW International Heavyweight Championship.[22]
Galloway signed with WWE in late 2007 and made his official debut on 12 October 2007 episode ofSmackDown! under the modified ring name of Drew McIntyre. Accompanied by his on-screen mentorDave Taylor, McIntyre defeatedBrett Major with a roll-up, establishing himself as avillainous character.[23] At the beginning of 2008, McIntyre was separated from Taylor and moved to theRawbrand, making his official debut on 6 January episode ofHeat as aface, defeatingCharlie Haas.[24]
McIntyre in a match againstFinlay in November 2009
McIntyre returned to the main roster on 28 August 2009 episode ofSmackDown, attackingR-Truth.[28] One month later, he received apush when WWE chairmanMr. McMahon promoted him as a "future world champion", going by the nickname "The Chosen One".[29] After defeating R-Truth on 4 October at theHell in a Cellpay-per-view[30] McIntyre participated atSurvivor Series onThe Miz's team for the traditionalSurvivor Series elimination match on 22 November, where he, The Miz and his former rival Sheamus were the surviving members on their winning team.[31]
Being the only SmackDown superstar to survive against Team Morrison, McIntyre defeatedJohn Morrison for theIntercontinental Championship atTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on 13 December.[32] He retained the title against Morrison on 1 January 2010 episode ofSmackDown andKane on 21 February atElimination Chamber, using underhanded tactics.[33][34] His televised undefeated record ended in aMoney in the Bank qualifying match against Kane on 26 February episode ofSmackDown,[35] but Mr. McMahon forced SmackDown's general managerTeddy Long to expunge the loss. This happened again withMatt Hardy[36] before McIntyre qualified for the ladder match by pinning an unsigned wrestler.[37] McIntyre failed to win the Money in the Bank match on 28 March atWrestleMania XXVI, his firstWrestleMania appearance.[38] McIntyre continuously attacked Hardy until he was stripped of his title by Long on 7 May episode ofSmackDown and fired for the purposes of the storyline.[39] However, McMahon decreed he be reinstated as champion the following week, undermining Long's authority and developing tension between McIntyre and Long.[40]
AtOver the Limit on 23 May, McIntyre lost the Intercontinental Championship toKofi Kingston—who had won a tournament to determine the new champion, ending his reign at 161 days.[41] However, he still used his relationship with McMahon to bully Long, publicly humiliating and forcing Long to lie down for him for their match.[42] AtFatal 4-Way on 20 June, McIntyre failed to regain the title from Kingston after Long took over as the referee and refused to make the three count, allowing Hardy to attack McIntyre, leading to Kingston winning the match.[43] On 21 June episode ofRaw,The Nexus attacked McMahon, which removed him from television for a prolonged period and ended McIntyre's preferential treatment.[44] After losing to Hardy on 25 June episode ofSmackDown, Long informed McIntyre that his work visa had expired and that he would be deported back to Scotland immediately.[45] This storyline had a basis in reality, since Galloway's visa had indeed expired and he was taken off television.[46] He returned two weeks later and was re-instated after being made to beg Long.[47]
On 26 April, McIntyre was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the2011 supplemental draft.[56] On 15 December episode ofSuperstars, McIntyre defeatedJustin Gabriel, earning him a contract withSmackDown.[57] He began wrestling onSmackDown on 30 December and resumed his tense relationship with general managerTheodore Long, who put pressure on McIntyre to win matches to justify his contract. McIntyre subsequently began an eight match losing streak going into the new year,[58] after the last of which, Long fired McIntyre within the storyline.[59] A week later, McIntyre was reinstated by guest general managerJohn Laurinaitis and ended his losing streak by defeatingHornswoggle.[60] He was subsequently included on Laurinaitis' team in the 12-man tag team match atWrestleMania XXVIII on 1 April, helping to earn Laurinaitis control of both Raw and SmackDown.[61] He continued to lose matches and was confined to Superstars and house shows, but still made appearances onRaw andSmackDown, albeit in squash matches.
When WWErebranded its developmental territory, FCW, intoNXT,[62] McIntyre was inserted into the Gold Rush Tournament to crown the inauguralNXT Champion, where he lost to the eventual winnerSeth Rollins in the quarterfinals on 1 August episode ofNXT.[63] McIntyre also participated in a number one contender fatal four-way elimination match on 7 November episode ofNXT, but was eliminated byBo Dallas.[64]
Galloway, under his real name, made his first post-WWE appearance on 27 July 2014, returning to work forMark Dallas atInsane Championship Wrestling (ICW) for the first time in seven years and beginning a feud withJack Jester.[76] On 2 November, at ICW'sFear & Loathing VII event atThe Barrowlands, Galloway defeated Jester in the main event to become a two-timeICW Heavyweight Champion.[77] He made his first international ICW title defense in Denmark on 20 December in a double championship triple threat match against Dansk Pro Wrestling Champion Michael Fynne and Chaos, both retaining the ICW title and winning the DPW Heavyweight Championship.[77] The next day atSpace Baws 5: Bill Murray Strikes Back, he answered the challenge of Lewis Girvan, who had been goading Galloway for a match. After successfully defending the ICW Heavyweight Championship against Girvan, Galloway announced his intention to make the title aworld championship by continuing to defend it internationally.[77]
On 9 February 2015, after defending the title againstMatt Hardy in a match forFamily Wrestling Entertainment in New York, he subsequently renamed it theICW World Heavyweight Championship.[78] On 28 March, Galloway made his first defense atBarraMania in Scotland as "World Champion", defeatingJoe Coffey. On 5 April, Galloway successfully defended the ICW title against Doug Williams at aRevolution Pro Wrestling (RPW) show in England.[79] On 11 April, Galloway defeatedGrado to retain the world championship; after the match, both men were attacked by returning former champion Jack Jester.[79] The following night, Galloway suffered his first loss in ICW since his return, where he and Grado lost to Jester andSabu after Grado was pinned.[79] On 18 April, Galloway defeated Jester and Grado in a triple threat match to retain the championship, before having it stolen post-match bySabu. The following night, atAlex Kidd in London, Galloway regained possession of the belt and retained it in an Elimination Three Way Dance against Sabu and Jester.[79] Galloway finished the "Insane Entertainment Tour" by defeatingMikey Whiplash in the main event ofFlawless Victory on 2 May to retain the ICW World Heavyweight Championship.[79] On 16 October, at a Maximum Wrestling show in Germany, Galloway successfully defended the ICW World Championship in a triple threat match against Apu Singh and Chaos, in which Chaos' UEWA European Heavyweight Championship was also on the line.[79]
AtShug's Hoose Party 2, Galloway turned heel along with Jester and ICW General Manager Red Lightning, aligning to form The Black Label. With Jester's help, he successfully defended the championship againstBig Damo in the main event. As part of the "Road to Fear & Loathing" tour, Galloway retained the ICW title againstRampage Brown,Doug Williams, Matt Daly and Coach Trip.[79] On 15 November, Galloway lost the title to Grado atFear & Loathing VIII.[80] Galloway returned to ICW in February 2016, scoring wins over Mark Coffey,Noam Dar andBT Gunn, but losing a match against Chris Renfrew for the ICW World Heavyweight Championship.[81]
Galloway was out of action from August until November due to a back injury, but appeared on ICW shows in non-wrestling roles to further his feud with Mark Dallas. On 19 November, Galloway announced his departure from ICW due to the severity of his injuries, reconciling with Dallas before attacking him and revealing it to have been a rouse.[82] On 1 February 2018, Galloway was inducted into the ICW Hall of Fame.[83]
On 8 August 2014, Galloway debuted forEvolve, defeatingChris Hero for theEvolve Championship.[85] At Evolve 33, he lost a Champion vs Champion match against theDGUSAOpen The Freedom Gate champion,Ricochet.[86] Galloway continued to defend the Evolve Championship at independent events in the United States against the likes of Caleb Konley,Stevie Richards, Devin Thomas,Jimmy Rave, Victor Sterling andRich Swann (on Evolve iPPV at Evolve 34),[87] internationally in Scotland against Kid Fite, Johnny Moss,Big Damo and Andy Wild, and in England over reigningNWA World Tag Team ChampionDavey Boy Smith Jr. On 9 January 2015, Galloway renamed his title the "Evolve World Championship".[88] Galloway made his first successful defense as world champion the following night against Ricochet at Evolve 37.[89]
At Mercury Rising 2015, Galloway defeatedJohnny Gargano for theDragon Gate USAOpen the Freedom Gate Championship in a Title vs Title match, retaining the Evolve Championship to become a double champion.[90] Galloway made a series of defenses of both titles between 4 and 6 April in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, defeatingMarty Scurll, Doug Williams and Joe Hendry, Tron and Luther Valentine in a fatal-four-way match.[79] At Evolve 43, Galloway made his first standalone defense of the DGUSA Open the Freedom Gate Championship, defeatingBiff Busick.[91] At Evolve 44, Galloway defeatedRoderick Strong to retain the Evolve Championship.[92] On 10 July, Galloway lost both the Evolve World Championship and the Open the Freedom Gate Championship toTimothy Thatcher; he had been the longest reigning Evolve champion in history and set the record for most successful title defenses.[93] At Evolve 46, after defeatingTrent Barreta, he was attacked by The Premiere Athlete Brand, but afterwards, uncharacteristically attackedAndrea, threatenedSoCal Val and assaulted a referee. Galloway was suspended from EVOLVE,[94] but returned at Evolve 51, defeatingFIP World Heavyweight Champion Caleb Konley.[95] At Evolve 52, he failed to regain the Evolve Championship from Thatcher.[96]
Between 22 and 24 January 2016, Galloway and Gargano entered a three-day tournament to crown the inauguralEvolve Tag Team Champions, defeating Catch Point (Drew Gulak andT. J. Perkins),The Bravado Brothers, andChris Hero andTommy End in the finals to win the tournament and championship.[97][98][99] At Evolve 59, they lost the titles to Gulak andTracy Williams; after the match, Galloway claimed that he spent his entire title reign as Evolve champion bringing legitimacy to Evolve, only for WWE and more specifically NXT to come and squash everything he did, while also claiming the company's working relationship with WWE was compromising independent wrestling. Galloway then turned on Gargano by attacking him andEthan Page,[100] whom he defeated at Evolve 60.[101] Galloway aligned himself with other WWE stars, includingEthan Carter III,[102] defeating Gargano and TJP in a street fight at Evolve 62 with help from Hero, who joined their group and claimed thatCody Rhodes would be joining.[103] At Evolve 63, Galloway defeated Page in an "Anything Goes" match.[104] At Evolve 64, a match between Galloway and Gulak was rescheduled as an Evolve Tag Team Championship main event match between Catch Point and Galloway and the returningChuck Taylor (now under the name "Dustin"), in which they won the titles, making Galloway the first ever two-time Evolve Tag Team Champion.[105]
At Evolve 65, Galloway defeated Gargano.[106] Dustin and Galloway made their first Evolve Tag Team Championship defense at Evolve 67 on 20 August 2016, teaming with EC3 againstFred Yehi, TJP and Ethan Page (replacement for Tracy Williams) in a no disqualification six man tag-team match, which they lost after EC3 was pinned, also resulting in a title change. Galloway also built a feud with former partner Rhodes and veteran announcerJoey Styles, after they both refused his invitation to join his "crusade".[107] On 13 November, while Galloway was out with an injury, their replacement, Hero, lost the Evolve Tag Team Championship. However, it was announced that, despite supposed champions Catch Point holding the physical belts, Evolve continued to recognize Galloway and Dustin as the Evolve Tag Team Champions.[108]
In August, Galloway debuted forPreston City Wrestling (PCW), trading victories withNoam Dar.[79] Galloway returned to PCW in February 2016, entering theRoad to Glory tournament, defeating Martin Kirby, Mr. Anderson and Noam Dar, before losing to Rampage Brown in the finals.[81] The following month, Galloway entered theWestside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw)16 Carat Gold tournament, but lost toAxel Dieter Jr. in the semi-finals.[81] On 25 June, Galloway main-evented the first HD iPPV in European Wrestling history when he returned to PCW at their "Tribute to the Troops 3" show,[110] receiving his championship opportunity in a triple threat match withSha Samuels and Noam Dar, but lost after Samuels submitted Dar.[81]
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2015–2017)
The Rising and singles run (2015–2016)
On 29 January 2015, Galloway made a surprise debut under his real name forTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling during the tapings ofImpact Wrestling as a face inGlasgow, Scotland, coming to the aid ofTNA British Boot Camp season 2 competitorGrado and entering a feud withThe Beat Down Clan.[111] Galloway competed in his first official match for TNA on 6 March, answering the Beat Down Clan's challenge and defeatingKenny King.[112] On 27 March episode ofImpact Wrestling, he formed the stable "The Rising" withEli Drake andMicah.[113] On 10 April episode ofImpact Wrestling, The Rising defeated The BDC by disqualification when a masked man (Homicide) ran out and attacked Galloway.[114] AtHardcore Justice on 1 May, Galloway defeated Low Ki in a Steel Pipe on a Pole match.[115] AtSlammiversary on 28 June, Galloway competed in theKing of the Mountain match for the vacantTNA King of the Mountain Championship in a losing effort.[116] On 1 July episode ofImpact Wrestling, The Beat Down Clan defeated The Rising in a 4-on-3 handicap match, forcing The Rising to dissolve.[117]
On 15 July episode ofImpact Wrestling, Galloway won a 20-man battle royal to faceEthan Carter III for theTNA World Heavyweight Championship later that night, but lost after his former The Rising teammate Eli Drake attacked him.[118] Galloway lost to Drake atNo Surrender on 5 August but won a No Disqualification rematch atTurning Point on 19 August.[119][120] On 16 September episode ofImpact Wrestling, Team TNA (Galloway,Bobby Lashley,Davey Richards,Eddie Edwards andBram) defeated Team GFW (Jeff Jarrett,Eric Young,Chris Mordetzky,Brian Myers andSonjay Dutt) in aLethal Lockdown match to oust GFW from TNA when Galloway pinned Myers after aFuture Shock DDT onto a trash can.[121] On 23 September episode ofImpact Wrestling, after winning a five-way elimination match against Bram, Lashley, Richards and Edwards; Galloway became the number one contender for Ethan Carter III's TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[122] AtBound for Glory on 4 October, Galloway competed in a three-way match for the world title, which was won byMatt Hardy.[123] During October and November, Galloway participated in theTNA World Title Series for the vacant title, which he qualified to the round of 16 by defeatingBram,Rockstar Spud andGrado. However, he failed to advance past the round of 8 after he was defeated by Lashley, thus being eliminated from the TNA World Title Series.[124]
Galloway entered a short-lived storyline withKurt Angle; on 8 January 2016 atTNA One Night Only: Live, Galloway and Angle competed in a 3-WayTNA World Tag Team Championship match, whichThe Wolves won.[125] On 12 January episode ofImpact Wrestling, Galloway lost to Angle.[126] Galloway earned a future TNA World Heavyweight Championship match by grabbing the briefcase that contained said title shot in the 2016Feast or Fired match.[127] They faced off in a rematch in Manchester, England on 9 February episode ofImpact Wrestling, which Galloway won. After the match, he bowed before Angle, showing respect due to it being part of Angle's farewell tour.[128]
TNA World Heavyweight Champion and departure (2016–2017)
On 15 March episode ofImpact Wrestling, Galloway cashed in hisFeast or Fired briefcase on Matt Hardy to capture the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career, thus becoming the first-ever Scottish-born TNA World Heavyweight Champion.[129] He made his first successful title defense on 29 March episode ofImpact Wrestling againstJeff Hardy.[130] On 5 April episode ofImpact Wrestling, Galloway defeated Matt Hardy in a rematch to retain the title.[131]
AtSacrifice on 26 April, Galloway overcame rib injuries inflicted from having been repeatedly speared by Lashley to retain his title overBound for Gold winnerTyrus.[132] On 17 May episode ofImpact Wrestling, Galloway won a lumberjack match against Lashley, who was at the time the number one contender, by disqualification after he was dragged from the ring and assaulted by the heel lumberjacks, thus retaining his championship.[133] Galloway lost the title to Lashley atSlammiversary on 12 June, ending his reign at 89 days.[134] Galloway was twice unsuccessful in regaining his championship from Lashley due to the involvement of Ethan Carter III, leading to an unsanctioned fight atDestination X on 12 July which ended in a no contest.[135]
Galloway was one of the eight men to enter theBound for Glory Playoff tournament to challenge for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship atBound for Glory. On 22 July episode ofImpact Wrestling, Galloway defeated Bram in the first round of the tournament but was eliminated from the semi-finals byMike Bennett following interference fromMoose and a third inadvertent collision with EC3.[136] On 25 August episode ofImpact Wrestling, after losing to EC3 for a world title shot against Lashley at Bound for Glory, Galloway attacked special guest refereeAron Rex, turning heel in the process.[137] Galloway then joined the qualifying tournament for the inauguralImpact Grand Championship. After defeatingBraxton Sutter in the quarterfinals and Eddie Edwards (via split decision) in the semi-finals, he was scheduled to face Rex in the finals at Bound for Glory to crown the first Grand Champion, but due to an injury he was replaced by Edwards.[138]
On 8 December episode ofImpact Wrestling, Galloway made his return by interrupting the Impact Grand ChampionMoose and criticising the company.[139] On 19 January 2017 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Galloway defeated Moose to win the Impact Grand Championship.[140] Galloway retained the title against Moose in a rematch atGenesis on 27 January and Mahabali Shera on 9 February episode ofImpact Wrestling.[141][142] On 26 February, Galloway confirmed that he had parted ways with TNA.[143] He lost the championship back to Moose via split decision in a second rematch on 2 March episode ofImpact Wrestling.[144]
On 4 October episode ofNXT, McIntyre successfully defended the title againstRoderick Strong.[153] The following month, McIntyre began a feud withAndrade "Cien" Almas, leading to general managerWilliam Regal scheduling a championship match atNXT TakeOver: WarGames on 18 November.[154] The night before that event, McIntyre defeatedAdam Cole to retain the title, withShawn Michaels as the special guest referee at a house show in San Antonio, Texas.[155] The title defense eventually aired on theWWE Network on 3 January 2018.[156] McIntyre lost the NXT Championship to Almas at WarGames, marking his first loss in NXT and ending his reign at 91 days.[157] It was then revealed that McIntyre suffered a torn bicep towards the end of the match.[158]
On 3 December episode ofRaw, McIntyre and Ziggler's alliance ended after McIntyre claimed that Ziggler was "a means to an end to get him into a prominent position". This led to an impromptu match between the two, which Ziggler won after interference fromFinn Bálor, thus giving McIntyre his first pinfall loss since his return to the main roster.[168] AtTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on 16 December, McIntyre lost to Bálor after interference from Ziggler.[169] On 31 December episode ofRaw, McIntyre defeated Ziggler in a steel cage match, ending their feud.[170] At theRoyal Rumble on 27 January 2019, McIntyre entered the Royal Rumble match at number 16 but was eliminated by Ziggler.[171]
McIntyre in August 2019
AtFastlane on 10 March, McIntyre,Baron Corbin and Lashley lost to The Shield.[172] The next night onRaw, McIntyre viciously assaulted Roman Reigns before his match with Corbin, leading to a falls count anywhere match with Dean Ambrose later that night, which McIntyre won.[173] AtWrestleMania 35 on 7 April, McIntyre lost to Reigns.[174] On 6 May episode ofRaw, McIntyre interrupted Reigns and demanded a WrestleMania rematch, which Reigns accepted and won by disqualification. After this, McIntyre became the enforcer ofShane McMahon.[175] AtStomping Grounds on 23 June, McIntyre again lost to Reigns despite interference from McMahon.[176] On 14 July, McIntyre and McMahon lost to Reigns andThe Undertaker in aNo Holds Barred tag team match atExtreme Rules, ending their feud.[177] Following the event, McIntyre ended his association with McMahon.
In August, McIntyre competed in theKing of the Ring tournament, but was eliminated in the first round byRicochet.[178] On 21 October episode ofRaw, he was revealed as a member ofRic Flair's team atCrown Jewel on 31 October,[179] but they lost toTeam Hogan.[180] AtSurvivor Series on 24 November, McIntyre made up part of Team Raw in a losing effort to Team SmackDown in a 5-on-5-on-5 Survivor Series match, also involving Team NXT.[181]
WWE Champion (2020–2021)
AtRoyal Rumble on 26 January 2020, McIntyre won the Royal Rumble match, earning himself a championship opportunity atWrestleMania 36, turningface due to a positive crowd reception. In the match, McIntyre eliminated six participants, includingWWE ChampionBrock Lesnar, who he challenged for the title the next night onRaw, cementing his face turn in the process.[182][183] On Night 2 of WrestleMania on 5 April, McIntyre defeated Lesnar in the main event to capture the WWE Championship.[184] He made his first successful title defense againstBig Show on the same night, which was televised the following night onRaw.[185]
After retaining the title againstKeith Lee on 4 January 2021 episode ofRaw,[200] a rematch between McIntyre and Orton on 11 January was cancelled after McIntyre tested positive forCOVID-19.[201] He retained the title againstGoldberg atRoyal Rumble on 31 January.[202] AtElimination Chamber on 21 February, McIntyre successfully defended the title in anElimination Chamber match against Orton, Sheamus,Jeff Hardy, Styles and Kofi Kingston.[203] After the match, he was attacked by Bobby Lashley and The Miz, who cashed in his Money In The Bank briefcase (that he got reinstated due to a loophole in the contract), performing theSkull-Crushing Finale to pin McIntyre and win the WWE Championship, ending his second reign at 97 days (96 days as recognised by WWE).[204] AtFastlane on 21 March, McIntyre defeated Sheamus in a No Holds Barred match.[205] McIntyre then failed to regain the WWE Championship from Lashley at Night 1 ofWrestleMania 37 on 10 April,[206]WrestleMania Backlash on 16 May in a triple threat match also involving Braun Strowman,[207] andHell in a Cell on 20 June inside the namesake structure.[208]
On 18 July atMoney in the Bank, McIntyre competed in thenamesake ladder match, but failed to win the briefcase after being attacked byJinder Mahal,Veer, andShanky.[209] AtSummerSlam on 21 August, McIntyre defeated Mahal with Veer and Shanky banned from ringside.[210] As part of the2021 Draft, McIntyre was drafted to theSmackDown brand.[211] AtCrown Jewel on 21 October, McIntyre facedBig E for the WWE Championship, but lost.[212] On 21 November, atSurvivor Series, McIntyre was the captain of Team SmackDown, but he was eliminated via countout and his team lost the match to Team Raw, with Seth Rollins being the sole survivor.[213]
Championship pursuits and various feuds (2021–present)
In December, McIntyre started feuding withHappy Corbin andMadcap Moss, defeating Moss atDay 1 on 1 January 2022.[214][215] McIntyre participated in theRoyal Rumble match at thenamesake event on 29 January, but was the last competitor eliminated by eventual winnerBrock Lesnar.[216] AtElimination Chamber on 19 February, McIntyre defeated Moss again in a Falls Count Anywhere match. During the match, he performed an invertedAlabama Slam, which resulted in Moss landing directly on top of his head, but he was able to continue the match.[217] On Night 1 ofWrestleMania 38 on 2 April, McIntyre defeated Corbin and became the first person to kick out of his finisher, theEnd of Days, ending their feud.[218]
AtRoyal Rumble on 28 January 2023, McIntyre entered the titular match at number 9, scoring four eliminations before being eliminated byGunther.[225] He would then challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship on Night 2 ofWrestleMania 39 on 2 April in a critically acclaimed triple threat match also involving Sheamus, which he lost after Gunther pinned him.[226]
AtRoyal Rumble on 27 January 2024, during the Royal Rumble match, McIntyre legitimately injuredCM Punk's triceps after a botched landing of his signatureFuture Shock DDT.[237] The injury was turned into a storyline between the two, as McIntyre continuously mocked Punk for causing his injury.[238] AtElimination Chamber: Perth on 24 February, McIntyre won the Elimination Chamber match by last eliminating Orton, earning another rematch against Rollins atWrestleMania XL.[239][240] On Night 2 of WrestleMania XL on 7 April, McIntyre defeated Rollins to win the World Heavyweight Championship. After the match, Punk attacked McIntyre, allowingDamian Priest to cash in hisMoney in the Bank contract on McIntyre, ending his reign after only five minutes and forty-six seconds.[241] He failed to regain the title from Priest atClash at the Castle: Scotland on 15 June andMoney in the Bank on 6 July after interference from Punk.[a][242][243] McIntyre and Punk then had a trilogy of matches, the first atSummerSlam on 3 August with Rollins as the special guest referee where McIntyre defeated Punk,[244] the second atBash in Berlin on 31 August where McIntyre lost in a strap match,[245] and the third and final match atBad Blood on 5 October, where McIntyre lost to Punk in a universally acclaimedHell in a Cell match, ending their near ten-month trilogy feud.[246]
On 2 December episode ofRaw, Jey Uso was attacked by a mystery assailant backstage. Later that night, McIntyre returned after a brief hiatus, attacking Zayn after his match with Rollins.[247] The following week, McIntyre revealed himself as Uso's attacker before attacking Zayn,[248] who McIntyre defeated on 14 December atSaturday Night's Main Event.[249] At theRaw premiere on Netflix on 6 January 2025, McIntyre lost to Uso.[250] AtRoyal Rumble on 1 February, McIntyre entered at number 17, but was eliminated byDamian Priest.[251] On 7 February, it was announced that McIntyre was transferred to the SmackDown brand, and later that night, he defeatedJimmy Uso andLA Knight to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match on 1 March atElimination Chamber: Toronto.[252] McIntyre was the first man eliminated by Priest, after which he attacked Priest and caused his elimination.[253] On Night 2 ofWrestleMania 41 on 20 April, McIntyre defeated Priest in aSin City Street Fight.[254] AtBacklash on 10 May, he unsuccessfully challengedJacob Fatu for theUnited States Championship in afatal four-way match, also involvingLA Knight and Priest.[255] AtSaturday Night's Main Event on 24 May, McIntyre and Priest faced off in a rematch contested as aSteel Cage match, which he lost when Priest escaped the cage.[256]
Following a short hiatus, McIntyre returned on the 4 July episode ofSmackDown, confronting Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, and was scheduled for a match with Orton atSaturday Night's Main Event on 12 July,[257] where he lost.[258] On the 16 July, 2025 episode ofJimmy Kimmel Live, guest-hosted byJelly Roll, McIntyre interrupted a scheduled interview with Orton and traded insults with the host before brawling backstage with Orton, further building to their match atSummerSlam.[259] On Night 1 of SummerSlam on 2 August, McIntyre teamed withLogan Paul to defeat Orton and Jelly Roll in a tag team match.[260] Six nights later onSmackDown, McIntyre and Paul faced the team of Cody Rhodes andJohn Cena, where they lost via disqualification. Post-match, McIntyre performed a Claymore Kick on Rhodes through the side of the announcer's desk.[261] AtWrestlepalooza on 20 September andSaturday Night's Main Event on November 1, McIntyre failed to win theUndisputed WWE Championship from Rhodes.[262][263]
Professional wrestling style and persona
McIntyre uses arunning single leg dropkick called theClaymore as his finisher.[4] The move was created accidentally during a match when McIntyre was attempting abig boot, but since the leather pants he was wearing were too tight, he had to kick up with the other leg to avoid ripping them, knocking himself out in the process.[264] After the match, a road agent told him to figure out how to use the move again without killing himself.[265] He began using a countdown upon the execution of the move during a house show, which stuck after fans participated in the countdown.[266] McIntyre also uses adouble underhook DDT called theFuture Shock (originally called theScot Drop),[28] and a headbutt called theGlasgow Kiss.[267]
In his early years on the independent circuit, he developed a narcissistic character and used "The One and Only" as his theme song.[4] Shortly after his main roster debut in WWE, McIntyre was labeled "The Chosen One" byVince McMahon, who believed he was a future world champion.[29] His character took a more comedic turn upon joining the3MB faction in 2012, as he continuously lost matches.[268]
During his feud with CM Punk in 2024, McIntyre received a boost on social media for his "hater" mannerisms, using online platforms such asX to enhance his feuds and embracing the role of a "keyboard warrior" through onlinetrolling and increased promo rate.[269] His heel turn in the fall of 2023 has been praised for his interactions with several top stars within more layered storyline callbacks that have his character "speaking his truth" despite being the villain.[270]
Galloway became engaged to American professional wrestlerTaryn Terrell in July 2009,[286][287] while both working for WWE and they married inLas Vegas in May 2010.[288][289] They divorced in May 2011.[290] Galloway met doctor Kaitlyn Frohnapfel at a bar in 2013 and they married on 10 December 2016.[4] They currently reside inNashville, Tennessee, having previously lived inTampa, Florida.[291]
Galloway's mother, Angela, died on 3 November 2012, at the age of 51 after suffering fromcerebellar ataxia.[4][292]
^Hemmings, Jamie (9 May 2021)."Drew McIntyre on becoming an author and embracing his authentic self".Slam! Wrestling. Archived fromthe original on 20 June 2021. Retrieved30 March 2023.McIntyre just released his autobiography, A Chosen Destiny: My Story on May 4, 2021. The book, written with Sarah Edworthy, is out now from Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
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