Drew McIntyre, the Scottish Warrior, has been a household name in professional wrestling for over a decade. However, not many know about the tumultuous journey he undertook to reach the pinnacle of success in WWE.
In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, McIntyre opened up about his release from WWE in 2014, and how it was a blessing in disguise.
McIntyre, dubbed “The Chosen One” by Vince McMahon, had a meteoric rise to fame, winning the Intercontinental Championship less than a year into his main roster debut.
However, he soon found himself languishing in the lower midcard, eventually becoming part of the 3MB faction before being released in 2014. Looking back, McIntyre acknowledges that he deserved to get fired, citing his own lack of self-awareness and direction as the primary reasons.
“I was fired in 2014 by WWE and I deserved to get fired. I needed to get fired to truly find myself,”
McIntyre said. This moment of introspection marked a turning point in his career, as he went on to rediscover himself and work towards becoming a better wrestler.
Fast forward to 2017, Triple H re-signed McIntyre, and he was established as a new star on NXT. His hard work and dedication paid off, as he eventually became one of the top heels in the company before turning face after winning the 2020 Royal Rumble match.
The crowning glory came when he defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36 to win the WWE Championship.
In a surprising turn of events, The Rock personally announced McIntyre’s new contract with WWE, gifting him a Scottish Claymore sword as a token of appreciation.
This milestone marks a full circle moment for McIntyre, who has come a long way since his release in 2014.
During the same interview, McIntyre also shared the inspiration behind his decision to become a professional wrestler. He revealed that watching Steve Austin and Bret Hart’s iconic match at WrestleMania 13 as a kid sparked his passion for the sport.
The emotional connection and physicality displayed by the two legends left an indelible mark on McIntyre’s young mind.
As McIntyre looks towards the future, having signed a multi-year extension with WWE, his story serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring wrestlers and individuals facing setbacks in their careers. His message is clear: with perseverance