EXCLUSIVE: IwW promoter on WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre
By The Bullgod
Wrestlers Ramblings.com pro wrestling news
Ladies and Gentlemen The Bullgod is back with a special article on WWE Smackdown’s hottest new talent, Drew McIntyre. This week The Bullgod got the chance to sit down and talk with Simon, the promoter of one of the hottest indy promotions in the UK, IwW - Irish Whip Wrestling. I asked Simon for his thoughts in Drew McIntyre (known in IwW by his real name - Drew Galloway) here is what he had to say — (Editor’s note — Just another example of the kind of pro wrestling coverage you will only find here at WrestlersRamblings.com, the fastest-growing FREE wrestling site on the internet today! Bookmark us now and pass along this link to fellow friends of the squared circle and TNA fans with their octagon-whatchamacallit . . . why not! - Mr. Mal):
Drew Galloway aka Drew McIntyre biography
‘Thee’ Drew Galloway had amassed a cult fanbase through his wrestling on the independent scene in his native Scotland, but it wasn’t until he made his debut on IwW Whiplash TV in July 2005 that people really stood up and took notice. Galloway built a love to hate relationship with the Irish Whip Wrestling fans through his cocky, often vain, ways, but his skill in the ring was undeniable and IwW officials soon pegged Drew for great things. His first rivalry in IwW was with fan favourite, Mad Man Manson. The two wrestled across the country in singles, tag-team and handicap matches always stealing wins from one another. The rivalry came to a head when Manson defeated Galloway in a memorable Street Fight at IwW’s final show in the SFX Theatre. On a card featuring such luminaries as Vampiro and ‘The Phoenix’ Jody Fleisch, the violent brawl between Manson and Galloway stole the show and even in defeat, Drew’s reputation was only enhanced by the sheer brutality he was forced to endure during the match.
The Scotsman soon embarked on an intense rivalry with the then IwW International Heavyweight Champion, ‘SOS’ Seamus O’Shaunessy (who was also recently signed to a WWE developmental deal). This rivalry was originally built because of Galloway’s proud Scottish heritage versus O’Shaunessy’s Irish pride (with the green vs. blue dynamic being reminiscent of football’s intense Celtic vs. Rangers rivalry) and sparked much emotion with fans in whatever town the two wrestled in. However, the two soon developed a personal animosity based around Galloway getting ever-closer in each attempt to wrestle the title from the grasp of ‘The Irish Curse’. Fans believed it was only a matter of time before the title eventually found its way around Galloway’s waist, and such was Drew improving in the ring each week that many of the fans even began to rally behind him in his efforts. Eventually, at IwW ‘International Intermingle’ in August 2006, Galloway managed to become only the third person to ever hold the IwW International Heavyweight Championship (pictured above left) when he defeated ‘SOS’ in perhaps their most memorable match to date.
WWE Superstars McIntyre and O’Shaunessy during their IwW days
Galloway’s reign was short-lived but memorable. He took on the world’s best, even defending the belt in the UK on several occassions, and defeated the likes of Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Go Shiozaki and Ippei Ota in the process. However, Drew’s career was taking off and, coupled with college commitments at home, he was unable to commit fully to defending the IwW International Championship on a regular basis therefore, regrettably, IwW were forced to strip him of the Championship in January 2007. (The belt was later won by current champion, Vic Viper, after he defeated Kid Kash, Mad Man Manson and Ballymun Bruiser in a four-corners match that month). Soon after, Galloway realised the potential that IwW officials first saw in him when the tall, striking Scotsman first appeared on ‘Whiplash TV’ in 2005, and was signed this year to World Wrestling Entertainment (where he now wrestles under the name Drew McIntyre - as pictured above left during his WWE debut at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI a few weeks back). Irish wrestling fans will always remember him as the cocky but talented former IwW International Champion though and on behalf of Irish Whip Wrestling, we would like to wish Drew the best of luck in his promising career.
-The Bullgod
CLICK HERE to REGISTER & tell the Bullgod about your thoughts on new WWE Superstar Drew McIntryre!
Bookmark us, already!! Pass us along to a friend!!
CLICK HERE! - Sign-up for our NEW bulletin board - WrestlersRamblings.com PRO WRESTLING FORUMS!
EXCLUSIVE REPORT: WWE TV main-event NEVER happened! CLICK HERE!!
CLICK HERE for WWE names involved in Signature Pharmacy steroid/drug scandal
CLICK HERE to read all bout William Regal - the bold-faced liar?!?
IwW photos courtesy of irishwhipwrestling.com. McIntrye photo (bottom) copyright WrestlersRamblings.com and Mr. Mal Occhio. All rights reserved. Use without prior permission is prohibited.