Drew McIntyre, the first Scottish WWE Champion, recently looked back on his path to winning the title, with his latest victory occurring on January 9. This moment was especially significant as it marked McIntyre’s first chance to defend the WWE Championship in front of a live audience at the January 10 event held in Glasgow, Scotland.
While McIntyre has held the world championship four times, his initial reigns happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting his opportunities to perform before large crowds. His third reign was notably brief, lasting only minutes at WrestleMania 40. The live event at the OVO Hydro gave him the rare chance to engage with fans from his homeland and celebrate the achievement in a powerful way.
From Scottish Independent Wrestling to WWE Headliner
Before rising to WWE stardom, Drew McIntyre started wrestling in a Scottish scene that was nearly non-existent. In interviews with BBC Scotland ahead of the Glasgow show, he described how he and others had to build the wrestling community from the ground up, often performing for very small audiences.
McIntyre shared his long-held ambition to succeed in WWE, explaining how childhood dreams and skepticism from others fueled his determination. He recalled early challenges, saying:
“It’s all I ever wanted to do. Ever since I was a kid and I saw WWE for the first time, I was captivated, and I had two goals: I was going to play for Rangers or I was going to wrestle for WWE.” – Drew McIntyre
“When I first started wrestling in Scotland, the Scottish wrestling scene was dead and we had to start our own scene basically, and we were very lucky to get a farmer and a dog in attendance.” – Drew McIntyre
“I never lose that perspective of that young Drew, dreaming and pushing and everyone telling me ‘Come on mate, that’s an American thing you’re not gonna do that’, and achieving it. So every single day I feel so grateful to do what I’m doing because eventually it’s all going to be memories.” – Drew McIntyre
Milestones and Historic Achievements
McIntyre highlighted the pride he feels as the first wrestler from Scotland and England to hold WWE’s top title, a milestone he considers historic for the UK wrestling scene. He confidently recognized his current status in wrestling by stating:
“I’ve had a couple of history making moments, like when I first won the WWE Title, I was the first ever Scot to win it – first person from Scotland or England. So I guess I am currently the best in the world.” – Drew McIntyre
Reflecting on his return to his native Scotland for his first match as champion in front of a home crowd, he expressed disbelief and excitement:
“And what are the chances? What are the chances? I keep saying it over and over because I don’t believe it quite yet that the first match I’m going to have is back home in Scotland, where it all began.” – Drew McIntyre
Impact on WWE’s Future Storylines
Drew McIntyre’s victory over Cody Rhodes to claim the Undisputed WWE Championship has influenced WWE’s plans for future events, including WrestleMania 42. His status as champion is shaping the company’s booking decisions moving forward, highlighting his importance within the promotion.
McIntyre’s historic reign represents not only a personal triumph but also a symbol of growth for UK wrestling on the global stage, inspiring other talents from Scotland and beyond.
Drew McIntyre, from Ayr in Scotland, is the first UK wrestler to become WWE champion
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— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) January 13, 2026
