Drew McIntyre made his WWE debut in late-2007, but disappeared from television and headed to Florida Championship Wrestling in early-2008.
He returned to the main roster in August 2008 on SmackDown. All because a writer thought he was good looking.
"If you've ever seen the very first time Drew walked out on SmackDown, even before the Mr. McMahon stuff. He tells the story about getting signed and going right up to the main roster and teaming with Dave Taylor. I've had a relationship with Drew ever since then. Me, Dusty [Rhodes], and [WWE writer] Jenn Bloodsworth, when we were doing ECW, we just became close with Drew. Vince asked Jenn, 'What do you think of the new guy?' and she goes, 'he's hot.' And that's what got him on TV. He wasn't ready for it. He talked about it," said current NWA Vice President David Lagana in an interview with Muscle Man Malcolm.
McIntyre was labeled as "The Chosen One" early in his SmackDown run, but things didn't work out as he faded into Three Man Band before being released in 2014.
During his time away from WWE, he had a stint with IMPACT Wrestling, where Lagana was now at. And McIntyre joined, thanks to Lagana.
"I always maintained a relationship with Drew. When we got put into a pickle by a talent I shall not name, basically, backed out of an IMPACT taping three days before we were going to Glasgow. I messaged Drew and said, 'You don't happen to be in Scotland right now?' And he was. That's how Drew came to IMPACT," he said.
McIntyre was in TNA/IMPACT from 2015 to 2017, winning the TNA World Heavyweight Title during his time in the company. He returned to WWE in April 2017.
Before his return, Lagana filmed McIntyre's WrestleMania 2017 weekend, which was his last weekend on the Independent scene. You can find out more about what happened to the footage by clicking here.
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