Right now, Drew McIntyre is one of the biggest names in wrestling after a blockbuster year that has seen him rise to become a true main event player in WWE. However, that journey hasn't been a simple one for him, and it has been full of twists and turns and ups and downs.
There have been some serious highs for the Scotsman who really has developed throughout his career. Drew has worked a variety of different gimmicks and characters and while he's always given 110%, not every single version of Drew McIntyre has always worked. Some versions of McIntyre have failed, with other versions of The Scottish Warriors have been a grand success.
12 3MB
When it comes to the worst version of Drew McIntyre, there is no doubt that his days as a 3MB member are the worst of the bunch. Drew was turned into a 'rockstar' alongside Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal, with the trio being one of the worst factions WWE has ever produced.
They were simply used for comedic segments or to put talent over, and it just never quite clicked. This was a true low point for McIntyre both in and out of the ring and is certainly a version of him that was beneath his talent level.
11 The Rookie Years
Before Drew McIntyre was paraded onto the main roster as The Chosen One, he actually enjoyed a very brief tag team run with Dave Taylor in 2007. WWE had high hopes for him, which is why he was put onto the main roster so quickly, but the team was quite a bland and forgettable one.
This led to him being moved back to FCW and this is where he began to come into his own. Drew thrived in the developmental territory and really began to develop his character and learn the 'WWE style.'
10 Teaming With Cody Rhodes
This partnership was a classic case of WWE having no plans for either guy, so they decided to put them together and hope for the best. Of course, due to the talent of both men, it did work and they enjoyed a brief run as Tag Team Champions, but there was just a real lack of story here.
There was no real reason to invest in them as a team outside of them being arrogant heels. However, that lack of a clear storyline did stop this team from kicking off. Though it didn't make much sense to give them the gold when a true tag team, The Hart Dynasty, were in the midst of a decent run.
9 Feuding With Teddy Long/Matt Hardy
Drew McIntyre feuding with Teddy Long might not sound that exciting, but to their credit, this storyline was a fun mid-card angle. Drew abused his power as Vince McMahon's favorite and belittled Teddy at every opportunity, with Matt Hardy being the man who would stand up for him.
It was a real power battle as Vince kept going against Teddy, who wanted to suspend Drew for his actions. It meant that Drew could pretty much get away with anything, which was fun for his character and did make for an engaging storyline.
8 NXT Champion
Drew McIntyre going to NXT first on his return to WWE was a good idea on paper, but it didn't actually work out in hindsight. While his performances were great and he felt like a huge star, there was just something that didn't quite click here.
Perhaps it was because fans associated Drew as being a WWE Superstar already, or because his time came to an end due to injury, this spell didn't hit the heights it could have, despite being NXT Champion.
7 Teaming With Dolph Ziggler
When Drew McIntyre made his long-awaited return to the main roster, he did so alongside Dolph Ziggler. The pairing worked a treat, with Ziggler bringing Drew in as his muscle, as the two became a really fun tag team that ended up as champions.
They had a great dynamic together and some great back-and-forth promos. Their chemistry was strong and they certainly felt like a team, with Drew being back to his best instantly.
6 Battling The Big Dog
Drew McIntyre was given a huge spot for WrestleMania 35, being the first man to work with Roman Reigns in a high profile storyline since returning from battling Leukaemia. Drew was a perfect choice because even though this was all about Roman overcoming him like cancer, Drew was really convincing as a heel.
He was incredibly physical during this rivalry, with their brawls on the Road To WrestleMania being incredibly hard-hitting. McIntyre proved he belonged at this spot on the card, with this being a real turning point for his singles career in WWE.
5 TNA Run
Drew McIntyre enjoyed a spell with TNA during his time away from WWE, and it was a good period for him. He was the dominant talent who would be very physical, and he proved himself as a main event star for the company. During this time, he wrestled under his real name, Drew Galloway.
Galloway enjoyed his time as TNA World Heavyweight Champion and had some memorable storylines with the likes of EC3, Matt Hardy, and Bobby Lashley, really developing his promo work and in-ring style in the process.
4 The Chosen One
This was the very first version of Drew McIntyre that the world tends to remember, as he was brought out personally by Vince McMahon and was branded as The Chosen One. An endorsement from Vince himself instantly made Drew feel important, and he went on to prove that.
McIntyre was a cocky heel and someone on the rise in WWE. He had a good look, a physical move set and he was instantly placed into the Intercontinental Championship picture. Drew won the title and had a fun run with it, which should have been a stepping stone, had things gone to plan.
3 Royal Rumble Win/Facing The Beast
During the build towards the 2020 Royal Rumble, it certainly felt like momentum was building for Drew McIntyre. He was showing babyface tendencies and was impressing in the ring, and WWE pulled the trigger on that at the Rumble.
Eliminating Brock Lesnar to start their storyline, Drew was a man on a mission and the fans loved every second. He felt like a legitimate threat to Brock, which is something few are able to do, and the two men made every segment they had together feel important.
2 Independent Star
While non-WWE fans might have missed out on this period of Drew McIntyre's career, his time away from WWE is where he was able to really find himself. McIntyre took his release and made the most of the situation, becoming this fired up ass-kicking animal.
He returned to Scotland and ICW and instantly helped kick the British independent scene into the next gear. Drew competed non-stop in all manner of top indie promotions and found the perfect gimmick that made him feel like a megastar, which he deserves huge credit for.
1 WWE Champion
After defeating Brock Lesnar to become WWE Champion, fans have truly seen the best side of Drew McIntyre. He was able to come into his own and was the perfect fighting champion, a babyface that fans could get behind and one who made every single storyline he had feel important.
His battles with Bobby Lashley and Dolph Ziggler were tons of fun, but it was his feud with Randy Orton that really established him. Drew went into his element with The Viper and truly became the main event player he had always been hyped up to be.