Drew McIntyre is one of WWE’s most well-known villains, a brash and outspoken figure who has captured the attention of wrestling fans worldwide. However, behind the tough persona in the ring lies a deeply personal story of inspiration and perseverance that traces back to his late mother, Angela.
Growing up in Prestwick, Scotland, Drew harbored an ambitious dream of becoming the first Scot to sign with WWE. His goal seemed unlikely to many, but Drew was determined. Despite the odds, including the fact that the main Scottish connection to WWE at the time was the kilt-wearing ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, Drew remained steadfast in his belief that he would make it.
However, his journey was not without challenges. Drew’s mother, Angela, was his rock. She worked in Littlewoods before being struck by cerebellar ataxia, a rare brain condition that left her struggling to walk. Despite the prognosis that her life would never be the same, Angela continued to fight and maintain a positive attitude throughout her battle with illness. In fact, her strength became Drew’s greatest inspiration, urging him to pursue his dream against all odds.
“My mum was my biggest fan,” Drew recalls. “She fought through illness and showed me how to keep going no matter the obstacles. If she could keep her chin up through everything, then I could chase my wrestling dream.”
Drew’s career took time to blossom. After initially signing with WWE in 2007, he faced setbacks and was released in 2014. However, he rebuilt his career, gaining fame in Total Nonstop Action before returning to WWE in 2017. He quickly rose to prominence, culminating in his 2020 Royal Rumble victory and WrestleMania main event appearance.
Now, as one of WWE’s top stars, Drew continues to develop his character, showcasing a more nuanced and complex villain persona. “Wrestling doesn’t have to be just good vs evil,” he says. “We can have deeper, layered characters that reflect real-life complexities.”
Looking to the future, Drew is focused on bringing WWE’s biggest events to Scotland. “The next step is a stadium show in Scotland, maybe at Hampden or Murrayfield,” he shares. “I’d love for Wrestlemania to come here, but I’ll settle for London if it means big-time wrestling in the UK.”
While he may be a villain on-screen, Drew McIntyre’s strength, drive, and family ties show he’s a hero in real life. As he returns to Scotland for WWE Raw in March, he’s reminded of the values that brought him this far and the mother who inspired it all.
