Drew McIntyre

Early life

Andrew McLean Galloway IV was born in Ayr on 6 June 1985. He grew up in nearby Prestwick, where he studied at Prestwick Academy. He considered being a professional football player when he was younger, playing for the youth club Prestwick Boys, normally in defensive positions. When he was 10 years old, Galloway read a magazine named X Factor, which focused on conspiracy theories and ghost stories; this prompted him to write a letter to the FBI under the Freedom of Information Act, to which the FBI responded by sending him a file with several documents. A fan of professional wrestling as a child, 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. He agreed and earned a bachelor's degree in criminology from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2006, also briefly attending Birmingham University during his exchange year.

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit (2001–2007)

Galloway began training as a wrestler at the Frontier Wrestling Alliance's Academy at the age of 15 after his family moved to England and settled in Portsmouth. Although he was trained by the promotion's operator Mark Sloan along with Justin Richards and James Tighe, he also cites the promotion's established wrestlers helping out with training, including Doug Williams, Paul Burchill and Alex Shane.

In 2003, Galloway made his debut for the inaugural show of British Championship Wrestling (BCW), operating in the Greater Glasgow area. While there, he trained under Colin McKay and Spinner McKenzie, then developing the character of "Thee" Drew Galloway, a cocky narcissist. His first match, which took place at February's No Blood, No Sympathy: Night 1, saw him lose to Stu Natt. He picked up his first win on the second night in a tag team match alongside Wolfgang, defeating Blade and Stu Pendous. By December, Galloway was managed 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 to The Honky Tonk Man and later that month lost to Marty Jannetty and Highlander, with Sabotage on his side. In November, at the aptly titled Lo Down, Galloway main-evented against D'Lo Brown in a match which ended in a double countout. He then had a brief series of feuds as in March 2005, he defeated Jay Phoenix but their rematch in November, officiated by Mick Foley, ended in a no contest. In May 2006, after their lengthy feud in Irish Whip Wrestling, Galloway lost then won in successive matches against long-term rival Sheamus O'Shaunessy.

In November 2006, Galloway and Lionheart defeated BCW Heavyweight Champion Highlander and Wolfgang at Live in East Kilbride, after Galloway pinned Highlander. At December's No 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. He held the title through 2007, with successful defenses against the likes of Martin Stone, Allan Grogan and Lionheart, before vacating the title when he relocated to the United States in September.

After gaining momentum in Scotland, Galloway began wrestling dates across the Republic of Ireland with Irish Whip Wrestling (IWW). After losing to "SOS" Sheamus O'Shaunessy on 27 August 2006, Galloway defeated O'Shaunessy to win the IWW International Heavyweight Championship.

World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE (2007–2014)

Galloway signed with WWE in 2007 and made his official debut on 12 October 2007 episode of SmackDown! under the modified ring name of Drew McIntyre. Accompanied by his on-screen mentor Dave Taylor, McIntyre defeated Brett Major with a roll-up, establishing himself as a villainous character. At the beginning of 2008, McIntyre was separated from Taylor and moved to the Raw brand, making his official debut on 6 January episode of Heat as a face, defeating Charlie Haas.

In September 2007, McIntyre went to Louisville, Kentucky for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) and later, he was sent to the new farm territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). In FCW, he won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship with Stu Bennett and the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship.

McIntyre returned to the main roster on 28 August 2009 episode of SmackDown, attacking R-Truth. One month later, he received a push when WWE chairman Mr. McMahon promoted him as a "future world champion", going by the nickname "The Chosen One". After defeating R-Truth on 4 October at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view McIntyre participated at Survivor Series on The Miz's team for the traditional Survivor Series elimination match on 22 November, where he, The Miz and his former rival Sheamus were the surviving members on their winning team.

Being the only SmackDown superstar to survive against Team Morrison, McIntyre defeated John Morrison for the Intercontinental Championship at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on 13 December. He retained the title against Morrison on 1 January 2010 episode of SmackDown and Kane on 21 February at Elimination Chamber, using underhanded tactics. His televised undefeated record ended in a Money in the Bank qualifying match against Kane on 26 February episode of SmackDown, but Mr. McMahon forced SmackDown's general manager Teddy Long to expunge the loss. This happened again with Matt Hardy before McIntyre qualified for the ladder match by pinning an unsigned wrestler. McIntyre failed to win the Money in the Bank match on 28 March at WrestleMania XXVI, his first WrestleMania appearance. McIntyre continuously attacked Hardy until he was stripped of his title by Long on 7 May episode of SmackDown and fired for the purposes of the storyline. However, McMahon decreed he be reinstated as champion the following week, undermining Long's authority and developing tension between McIntyre and Long.

Return to ICW (2014–2017)

Galloway, under his real name, made his first post-WWE appearance on 27 July 2014, returning to work for Mark Dallas at Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) for the first time in seven years and beginning a feud with Jack Jester. On 2 November, at ICW's Fear & Loathing VII event at The Barrowlands, Galloway defeated Jester in the main event to become a two-time ICW Heavyweight Champion. 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. The next day at Space 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 a world championship by continuing to defend it internationally.

On 9 February 2015, after defending the title against Matt Hardy in a match for Family Wrestling Entertainment in New York, he subsequently renamed it the ICW World Heavyweight Championship. On 28 March, Galloway made his first defense at BarraMania in Scotland as "World Champion", defeating Joe Coffey. On 5 April, Galloway successfully defended the ICW title against Doug Williams at a Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW) show in England. On 11 April, Galloway defeated Grado to retain the world championship; after the match, both men were attacked by returning former champion Jack Jester. The following night, Galloway suffered his first loss in ICW since his return, where he and Grado lost to Jester and Sabu after Grado was pinned. On 18 April, Galloway defeated Jester and Grado in a triple threat match to retain the championship, before having it stolen post-match by Sabu. The following night, at Alex Kidd in London, Galloway regained possession of the belt and retained it in an Elimination Three Way Dance against Sabu and Jester. Galloway finished the "Insane Entertainment Tour" by defeating Mikey Whiplash in the main event of Flawless Victory on 2 May to retain the ICW World Heavyweight Championship. 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.

At Shug'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 against Big Damo in the main event. As part of the "Road to Fear & Loathing" tour, Galloway retained the ICW title against Rampage Brown, Doug Williams, Matt Daly and Coach Trip. On 15 November, Galloway lost the title to Grado at Fear & Loathing VIII. Galloway returned to ICW in February 2016, scoring wins over Mark Coffey, Noam Dar and BT Gunn, but losing a match against Chris Renfrew for the ICW World Heavyweight Championship.

Evolve (2014–2017)

On 8 August 2014, Galloway debuted for Evolve, defeating Chris Hero for the Evolve Championship. At Evolve 33, he lost a Champion vs Champion match against the DGUSA Open The Freedom Gate champion, Ricochet. 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 and Rich Swann (on Evolve iPPV at Evolve 34), internationally in Scotland against Kid Fite, Johnny Moss, Big Damo and Andy Wild, and in England over reigning NWA World Tag Team Champion Davey Boy Smith Jr. On 9 January 2015, Galloway renamed his title the "Evolve World Championship". Galloway made his first successful defense as world champion the following night against Ricochet at Evolve 37.

At Mercury Rising 2015, Galloway defeated Johnny Gargano for the Dragon Gate USA Open the Freedom Gate Championship in a Title vs Title match, retaining the Evolve Championship to become a double champion. Galloway made a series of defenses of both titles between 4 and 6 April in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, defeating Marty Scurll, Doug Williams and Joe Hendry, Tron and Luther Valentine in a fatal-four-way match. At Evolve 43, Galloway made his first standalone defense of the DGUSA Open the Freedom Gate Championship, defeating Biff Busick. At Evolve 44, Galloway defeated Roderick Strong to retain the Evolve Championship. On 10 July, Galloway lost both the Evolve World Championship and the Open the Freedom Gate Championship to Timothy Thatcher; he had been the longest reigning Evolve champion in history and set the record for most successful title defenses. At Evolve 46, after defeating Trent Barreta, he was attacked by The Premiere Athlete Brand, but afterwards, uncharacteristically attacked Andrea, threatened SoCal Val and assaulted a referee. Galloway was suspended from EVOLVE, but returned at Evolve 51, defeating FIP World Heavyweight Champion Caleb Konley. At Evolve 52, he failed to regain the Evolve Championship from Thatcher.

Between 22 and 24 January 2016, Galloway and Gargano entered a three-day tournament to crown the inaugural Evolve Tag Team Champions, defeating Catch Point (Drew Gulak and T. J. Perkins), The Bravado Brothers, and Chris Hero and Tommy End in the finals to win the tournament and championship. At Evolve 59, they lost the titles to Gulak and Tracy 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 and Ethan Page, whom he defeated at Evolve 60. Galloway aligned himself with other WWE stars, including Ethan Carter III, defeating Gargano and TJP in a street fight at Evolve 62 with help from Hero, who joined their group and claimed that Cody Rhodes would be joining. At Evolve 63, Galloway defeated Page in an "Anything Goes" match. 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 returning Chuck Taylor (now under the name "Dustin"), in which they won the titles, making Galloway the first ever two-time Evolve Tag Team Champion.

Return to the independent circuit (2014–2017)

In April 2015, Galloway won the Scottish Wrestling Alliance's Scottish Heavyweight Championship and held it until November. In May, Galloway debuted for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA), teaming with Angelico and El Mesias against Matt Hardy, Mr. Anderson and Johnny Mundo. He returned to Mexico in November to main-event a series of AAA affiliated shows, working three six-man tag matches against Rey Mysterio, Blue Demon and Dr. Wagner Jr.; his partners included Matt Cross, Carlito and Brodus Clay.

In August, Galloway debuted for Preston City Wrestling (PCW), trading victories with Noam Dar. Galloway returned to PCW in February 2016, entering the Road to Glory tournament, defeating Martin Kirby, Mr. Anderson and Noam Dar, before losing to Rampage Brown in the finals. The following month, Galloway entered the Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) 16 Carat Gold tournament, but lost to Axel Dieter Jr. in the semi-finals. 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, receiving his championship opportunity in a triple threat match with Sha Samuels and Noam Dar, but lost after Samuels submitted Dar.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2015–2017)

On 29 January 2015, Galloway made a surprise debut under his real name for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling during the tapings of Impact Wrestling as a face in Glasgow, Scotland, coming to the aid of TNA British Boot Camp season 2 competitor Grado and entering a feud with The Beat Down Clan. Galloway competed in his first official match for TNA on 6 March, answering the Beat Down Clan's challenge and defeating Kenny King. On 27 March episode of Impact Wrestling, he formed the stable "The Rising" with Eli Drake and Micah. On 10 April episode of Impact Wrestling, The Rising defeated The BDC by disqualification when a masked man (Homicide) ran out and attacked Galloway. At Hardcore Justice on 1 May, Galloway defeated Low Ki in a Steel Pipe on a Pole match. At Slammiversary on 28 June, Galloway competed in the King of the Mountain match for the vacant TNA King of the Mountain Championship in a losing effort. On 1 July episode of Impact Wrestling, The Beat Down Clan defeated The Rising in a 4-on-3 handicap match, forcing The Rising to dissolve.

On 15 July episode of Impact Wrestling, Galloway won a 20-man battle royal to face Ethan Carter III for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship later that night, but lost after his former The Rising teammate Eli Drake attacked him. Galloway lost to Drake at No Surrender on 5 August but won a No Disqualification rematch at Turning Point on 19 August. On 16 September episode of Impact Wrestling, Team TNA (Galloway, Bobby Lashley, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards and Bram) defeated Team GFW (Jeff Jarrett, Eric Young, Chris Mordetzky, Brian Myers and Sonjay Dutt) in a Lethal Lockdown match to oust GFW from TNA when Galloway pinned Myers after a Future Shock DDT onto a trash can. On 23 September episode of Impact 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. At Bound for Glory on 4 October, Galloway competed in a three-way match for the world title, which was won by Matt Hardy. During October and November, Galloway participated in the TNA World Title Series for the vacant title, which he qualified to the round of 16 by defeating Bram, Rockstar Spud and Grado. 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.

Galloway entered a short-lived storyline with Kurt Angle; on 8 January 2016 at TNA One Night Only: Live, Galloway and Angle competed in a 3-Way TNA World Tag Team Championship match, which The Wolves won. On 12 January episode of Impact Wrestling, Galloway lost to Angle. Galloway earned a future TNA World Heavyweight Championship match by grabbing the briefcase that contained said title shot in the 2016 Feast or Fired match. They faced off in a rematch in Manchester, England on 9 February episode of Impact Wrestling, which Galloway won. After the match, he bowed before Angle, showing respect due to it being part of Angle's farewell tour.

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (2015–2016)

Galloway debuted for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla in August 2015, competing in the Battle of Los Angeles tournament. He was eliminated by eventual finalist "Speedball" Mike Bailey on Night 2, before teaming with Chuck Taylor, Aero Star, Drew Gulak and Trent in a winning ten-man tag effort the following night, against Timothy Thatcher, Andrew Everett, Drago, Mark Andrews and Tommaso Ciampa. He returned to PWG on 2 January 2016, for Lemmy, where he scored his first PWG singles victory over former PWG World Tag Team Champion Jack Evans. Galloway was granted a title shot at Bowie on 12 February, challenging former rival Roderick Strong for the PWG World Championship, but lost. Galloway returned to PWG in March to face Trent and Trevor Lee at All Star Weekend 12, but lost both contests. At Prince on 20 May, he issued an open challenge and defeated Michael Elgin.

Return to WWE

On 1 April 2017, Galloway, once again billed as Drew McIntyre, was shown on-screen sitting in the front row at NXT TakeOver: Orlando. It was later confirmed in an exclusive interview with ESPN that he had re-signed with WWE, and would perform in its developmental territory NXT. On 12 April episode of NXT, McIntyre made his NXT re-debut as a fan favorite, with new entrance music and displaying mannerisms he had developed on the independent circuit, defeating Oney Lorcan. On 19 July episode of NXT, McIntyre defeated Killian Dain to become the number one contender for the NXT Championship, which he won by defeating Bobby Roode at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III on 19 August. After the match, McIntyre was attacked by Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly, and the debuting Adam Cole.

On 4 October episode of NXT, McIntyre successfully defended the title against Roderick Strong. The following month, McIntyre began a feud with Andrade "Cien" Almas, leading to general manager William Regal scheduling a championship match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames on 18 November. The night before that event, McIntyre defeated Adam Cole to retain the title, with Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee at a house show in San Antonio, Texas. The title defense eventually aired on the WWE Network on 3 January 2018. McIntyre lost the NXT Championship to Almas at WarGames, marking his first loss in NXT and ending his reign at 91 days. It was then revealed that McIntyre suffered a torn bicep towards the end of the match.

McIntyre returned from injury on the 16 April 2018 episode of Raw during the Superstar Shake-up, attacking Titus Worldwide (Apollo Crews and Titus O'Neil), and aligning with Dolph Ziggler, turning heel and officially joining Raw in the process. McIntyre assisted Ziggler during his feud with Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins and they won the Raw Tag Team Championship from The B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) on 3 September episode of Raw, beginning their first reign together and McIntyre's second reign individually. McIntyre and Ziggler retained the titles against Rollins and Dean Ambrose at Hell in a Cell on 16 September. At Super Show-Down on 6 October, McIntyre, Ziggler, and Braun Strowman lost to The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Rollins). On 22 October episode of Raw, McIntyre and Ziggler lost the titles to Rollins and Ambrose after Strowman attacked McIntyre. On 18 November, at Survivor Series, McIntyre competed as part of Team Raw in the Survivor Series match, where he, Bobby Lashley and Strowman were the survivors for Team Raw.

On 3 December episode of Raw, 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 from Finn Bálor, thus giving McIntyre his first pinfall loss since his return to the main roster. At TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on 16 December, McIntyre lost to Bálor after interference from Ziggler. On 31 December episode of Raw, McIntyre defeated Ziggler in a steel cage match, ending their feud. At the Royal Rumble on 27 January 2019, McIntyre entered the Royal Rumble match at number 16, but was eliminated by Ziggler.

Professional wrestling style and persona

McIntyre uses a running single leg dropkick called the Claymore as his finisher. The move was created accidentally during a match when McIntyre was attempting a big 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. After the match, a road agent told him to figure out how to use the move again without killing himself. He began using a countdown upon the execution of the move during a house show, which stuck after fans participated in the countdown. McIntyre also uses a double underhook DDT called the Future Shock (originally called the Scot Drop), and a headbutt called the Glasgow Kiss.

In his early years on the independent circuit, he developed a narcissistic character and used "The One and Only" as his theme song. Shortly after his main roster debut in WWE, McIntyre was labeled "The Chosen One" by Vince McMahon, who believed he was a future world champion. His character took a more comedic turn upon joining the 3MB faction in 2012, as he continuously lost matches.

During his feud with CM Punk in 2024, McIntyre received a boost on social media for his "hater" mannerisms, using online platforms such as X to enhance his feuds and embracing the role of a "keyboard warrior" through online trolling and increased promo rate. 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.

Other media

Books

McIntyre's autobiography, A Chosen Destiny: My Story, was released on 4 May 2021.

Acting

McIntyre made his acting debut in the action comedy The Killer's Game alongside former WWE superstar Dave Bautista.

Personal life

Galloway became engaged to American professional wrestler Taryn Terrell in July 2009, while both working for WWE and they married in Las Vegas in May 2010. They divorced in May 2011. Galloway met doctor Kaitlyn Frohnapfel at a bar in 2013 and they married on 10 December 2016. They currently reside in Nashville, Tennessee, having previously lived in Tampa, Florida.

Galloway's mother, Angela, died on 3 November 2012, at the age of 51 after suffering from cerebellar ataxia.

Galloway is a supporter of Scottish football club Rangers F.C.

On 2 June 2023, Galloway announced that he had become an American citizen.

Championships and accomplishments

British Championship Wrestling

BCW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

CBS Sports

Wrestler of the Year (2020)

Dansk Pro Wrestling

DPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

ESPN

Best Promo Artist (2024)

Feud of the Year (2024) – vs. CM Punk

Evolve

Evolve Championship (1 time)

Evolve Tag Team Championship (2 times, inaugural) – with Johnny Gargano (1) and Dustin (1)

Evolve Tag Team Championship Tournament (2016) – with Johnny Gargano

Open the Freedom Gate Championship (1 time)

Fighting Spirit Magazine

FSM Readers Award (1 time)

British Wrestler of the Year (2014)

Ranked No. 37 of the top 50 singles wrestlers in the FSM 50 in 2015

Florida Championship Wrestling

FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

FCW Florida Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Stu Sanders