Angela faced the challenges of cerebellar ataxia, a degenerative neurological condition that affected her balance. Moving around her home required reliance on walls and furniture. However, she prioritized supporting McIntyre’s aspirations of becoming a professional wrestler despite her own struggles.
During their school years, McIntyre, John, and a friend created their own “tournament” called Xtreme Scottish Backyard Wrestling, using an old double mattress as their makeshift ring. McIntyre’s training routine consisted of running on Ayr beach and using bottles filled with stones as improvised dumbbells. At the age of 10, he joined the Frontier Wrestling Alliance in Portsmouth, traveling 450 miles from Ayr as frequently as possible to attend training camps and learn various wrestling techniques.
His early years in the wrestling world had a comedic element to them. During his debut at the age of 16 in Linwood, Renfrewshire, he sported a rather “horrible outfit” consisting of skin-tight electric-blue PVC trousers and a black fishnet vest.
McIntyre played a significant role in establishing British Championship Wrestling (BCW). Despite facing heckling in drafty village halls across the UK, he discovered that performing in front of a crowd, no matter how small, brought him an unparalleled sense of fulfillment.
However, McIntyre’s parents were initially alarmed when they witnessed his acrobatics, somersaulting over ropes and crashing out of the ring. To ease their concerns, he applied for university. Being a fan of The X-Files and documentaries about serial killers, he pursued a degree in criminology at Glasgow Caledonian University. His student loan not only covered his gym membership but also allowed him to purchase protein supplements. According to him, his father desired a university diploma to boast about on the wall.
Embracing the theatrical aspect of wrestling is crucial. McIntyre initially portrayed a character named “Thee” Drew Galloway, a self-absorbed ladies’ man who made grand entrances to Chesney Hawkes’ “I Am the One and Only.” After a summer job wrestling at a Butlins Holiday camp, McIntyre attended a WWE try-out in London in 2007, where he received a contract and an invitation to America, a dream come true.
Just two weeks later, McIntyre found himself at the WWE development center in Louisville, Kentucky, preparing for his prime-time television debut watched by millions. This was a monumental opportunity for someone accustomed to wrestling in front of a maximum crowd of 100 people. Following his impressive debut, he spent hours accepting friend requests on social media.
A grueling schedule of sleep, eat, gym, and wrestle became McIntyre’s weekly routine. Each match was followed by in-depth discussions known as “skull sessions,” focusing not only on executing moves but also on maximizing the dramatic storytelling aspect of wrestling.
According to McIntyre, professional wrestlers are a combination of athletes, improv actors, stuntmen, and entertainers, all wrapped up in one charismatic package. It is a form of spandex-clad soap opera where mastering the moves is insufficient – staying in character is equally important.
What qualities are required to excel as a top-tier professional wrestler? The ideal candidate possesses exceptional athletic abilities, including strength, flexibility, agility, and on-screen charisma. They must also have a coachable temperament and an extraordinary work ethic. McIntyre attributes his success partly to the Scottish culture, where individuals are unafraid to make fools of themselves, a useful trait in his line of work.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
