Career Timeline of Drew McIntyre: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Drew McIntyre, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Drew McIntyre, born Andrew McLean Galloway IV, is a Scottish professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, performing on the SmackDown brand. He is known for his powerful in-ring style and multiple championship reigns within WWE, including two WWE Championships. McIntyre initially gained recognition in WWE in the late 2000s before a period outside the company where he honed his skills and reinvented himself. His return to WWE saw him reach the top of the company, establishing him as a major force in professional wrestling.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2001: Career Began in the United Kingdom

In 2001, Drew McIntyre started his professional wrestling career in the United Kingdom, working with Scottish promotions British Championship Wrestling (BCW) and Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW), as well as Irish Whip Wrestling (IWW) in Ireland, using his real name Drew Galloway.

2003: Debut for British Championship Wrestling (BCW)

In 2003, Drew McIntyre debuted for British Championship Wrestling (BCW), training under Colin McKay and Spinner McKenzie and developing the character of "Thee" Drew Galloway.

March 2005: Feud with Jay Phoenix

In March 2005, Drew McIntyre defeated Jay Phoenix in a match, but their rematch in November, officiated by Mick Foley, ended in a no contest.

May 2006: Matches Against Sheamus O'Shaunessy

In May 2006, after a lengthy feud in Irish Whip Wrestling, Drew McIntyre lost and then won in successive matches against long-term rival Sheamus O'Shaunessy.

August 2006: IWW International Heavyweight Championship Win

In August 2006, Drew Galloway defeated Sheamus O'Shaunessy to win the IWW International Heavyweight Championship, after previously losing to him.

November 2006: BCW Heavyweight Championship Win

In November 2006, Drew McIntyre and Lionheart defeated BCW Heavyweight Champion Highlander and Wolfgang, leading to McIntyre defeating Highlander in an "I Quit" match to win the BCW Heavyweight Championship.

September 2007: Assignment to OVW and FCW

In September 2007, Drew McIntyre was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) and later to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).

October 2007: SmackDown! Debut

In October 2007, Drew McIntyre made his official debut on SmackDown! under the ring name Drew McIntyre, accompanied by Dave Taylor, and defeated Brett Major.

2007: Signed with WWE

In 2007, Drew McIntyre signed a development contract with WWE and was assigned to developmental territories such as Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) and Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) after initial appearances on SmackDown and Raw, adopting the ring name Drew McIntyre.

2007: BCW Heavyweight Championship Reign

Throughout 2007, Drew McIntyre held the BCW Heavyweight Championship, defending it against various opponents before vacating the title when he relocated to the United States in September.

2008: Move to Raw Brand

At the beginning of 2008, Drew McIntyre was separated from Dave Taylor and moved to the Raw brand, debuting as a face and defeating Charlie Haas.

August 2009: Return to SmackDown

On August 2009, Drew McIntyre returned to the main roster on SmackDown, attacking R-Truth.

2009: Return to SmackDown and Championship Wins

In 2009, Drew McIntyre returned to SmackDown as "The Chosen One," winning the WWE Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championship with "Dashing" Cody Rhodes.

January 2010: Intercontinental Championship Reign

On January 2010, Drew McIntyre retained the Intercontinental Championship against John Morrison on SmackDown, continuing his reign.

January 2011: Royal Rumble Participation

On January 2011, at the Royal Rumble, Drew McIntyre entered the 40-man Royal Rumble match but was eliminated by Big Show.

2011: Drafted to Raw Brand

In 2011, Drew McIntyre was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the supplemental draft and later earned a contract with SmackDown after defeating Justin Gabriel on Superstars.

2012: Joins 3MB faction

In 2012, Drew McIntyre's character took a more comedic turn upon joining the 3MB faction, as he continuously lost matches.

January 2013: Royal Rumble Elimination

In January 2013, Drew McIntyre was eliminated by Chris Jericho in the 30-man Royal Rumble match.

April 2014: Final WWE Appearance and Release

In April 2014, Drew McIntyre made his last appearance at WrestleMania XXX in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and was released from his WWE contract in June.

July 2014: Return to ICW

On July 2014, Drew Galloway made his first post-WWE appearance, returning to Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) and beginning a feud with Jack Jester.

August 2014: Evolve Debut and Championship Win

On August 8, 2014, Galloway made his debut for Evolve, defeating Chris Hero to win the Evolve Championship.

2014: Return to Independent Promotions

In 2014, Drew McIntyre returned to wrestling under his real name in independent promotions, including ICW, after being released from WWE.

2014: Release from WWE Contract

In 2014, Drew McIntyre was released from his WWE contract after being relegated to lower-card status.

January 2015: Surprise TNA Debut

On January 29, 2015, Drew Galloway made a surprise debut for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling during Impact Wrestling tapings in Glasgow, Scotland. He aided Grado and initiated a feud with The Beat Down Clan.

February 2015: Renaming of ICW Championship

On February 2015, after defending the title against Matt Hardy, Drew McIntyre renamed the ICW Heavyweight Championship to the ICW World Heavyweight Championship.

2015: Debut in TNA

In 2015, Drew McIntyre debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), later becoming a one-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion and Impact Grand Champion.

January 2016: TNA World Tag Team Championship Match

On January 8, 2016, Drew Galloway and Kurt Angle competed in a 3-Way TNA World Tag Team Championship match at TNA One Night Only: Live, but The Wolves won. Later in January 2016, Galloway earned a future TNA World Heavyweight Championship match by grabbing the briefcase in the Feast or Fired match.

2016: Independent Promotions

In 2016, Drew McIntyre continued performing in Pro Wrestling Guerilla (PWG).

January 2017: Impact Grand Championship Victory

On January 19, 2017, Drew Galloway defeated Moose to win the Impact Grand Championship on Impact Wrestling.

2017: Independent promotions

Between 2014 and 2017, Drew McIntyre continued wrestling in various independent promotions worldwide under his real name.

2017: WWE Return and NXT Championship Win

In 2017, Drew McIntyre returned to WWE and was assigned to NXT, where he won the NXT Championship.

January 2018: NXT Title Defense Airs on WWE Network

On January 3, 2018, Drew McIntyre's title defense against Adam Cole, with Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee, which took place at a house show in San Antonio, Texas in November 2017, aired on the WWE Network.

April 2018: Raw Return and Alliance with Dolph Ziggler

On April 16, 2018, Drew McIntyre returned on Raw, attacking Apollo Crews and Titus O'Neil and aligning with Dolph Ziggler, turning heel and officially joining Raw.

2018: Main Roster Return and Tag Team Championship

In 2018, Drew McIntyre returned to WWE's main roster, winning the Raw Tag Team Championship with Dolph Ziggler.

January 2019: Royal Rumble match

In January 2019, at the Royal Rumble, Drew McIntyre entered the Royal Rumble match at number 16, but was ultimately eliminated by Dolph Ziggler.

January 2020: Wins Royal Rumble match

In January 2020, at the Royal Rumble, Drew McIntyre won the Royal Rumble match, earning himself a championship opportunity at WrestleMania 36. McIntyre eliminated six participants, including WWE Champion Brock Lesnar.

2020: Royal Rumble and WWE Championship Wins

In 2020, Drew McIntyre won the Men's Royal Rumble match and his first WWE Championship at WrestleMania 36 - Night 2.

January 2021: COVID-19 diagnosis and Royal Rumble title defense

In January 2021, after retaining the title against Keith Lee, a rematch between McIntyre and Orton was cancelled after McIntyre tested positive for COVID-19. On January 31, McIntyre retained the title against Goldberg at Royal Rumble.

2021: Drafted to SmackDown and WWE Championship match

In 2021, Drew McIntyre was drafted to SmackDown. At Crown Jewel in October, McIntyre faced Big E for the WWE Championship, but lost. In November, at Survivor Series, McIntyre was the captain of Team SmackDown, but his team lost the match.

January 2022: Feud with Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss

In January 2022, Drew McIntyre was feuding with Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss, defeating Moss at Day 1. McIntyre participated in the Royal Rumble match, but was the last competitor eliminated by Brock Lesnar.

January 2023: Royal Rumble match

In January 2023, at Royal Rumble, McIntyre entered the titular match at number 9, scoring four eliminations before being eliminated by Gunther.

2023: Drafted to Raw and heel turn

In 2023, as part of the 2023 Draft, McIntyre was drafted to the Raw brand. In November, McIntyre turned heel by helping The Judgment Day retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. At Survivor Series: WarGames, McIntyre and The Judgment Day lost to Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn and Randy Orton.

January 2024: Royal Rumble and injury to CM Punk

In January 2024, during the Royal Rumble match, McIntyre legitimately injured CM Punk's triceps after a botched landing of his signature Future Shock DDT.

2024: Money in the Bank and World Heavyweight Championship Wins

In 2024, Drew McIntyre won the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match and the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XL.

2024: Social media presence and feud with CM Punk

In 2024, during Drew McIntyre's feud with CM Punk, 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.

January 2025: Feud with Jey Uso and attack on Sami Zayn

In January 2025, Drew McIntyre lost to Jey Uso at the Raw premiere on Netflix. At Royal Rumble, McIntyre entered at number 17, but was eliminated by Damian Priest.

2025: Teamed with Logan Paul and feud with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton

In 2025, Drew McIntyre returned on the 4th of July episode of SmackDown, confronting Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. On July 16, McIntyre interrupted an interview with Orton on Jimmy Kimmel Live. On August 2, at SummerSlam, McIntyre teamed with Logan Paul to defeat Orton and Jelly Roll.

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