Drew McIntyre delivered an emotional speech to his hometown crowd at Glasgow's OVO Hydro on Saturday night, one day after capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship and finally fulfilling his longstanding promise to bring the title to Scotland in front of live fans.
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The 40-year-old Ayr native defeated Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match on Friday Night SmackDown to win the championship for the third time. In his first appearance as champion, McIntyre successfully defended the title against Shinsuke Nakamura at the non-televised WWE Live event in Glasgow.
The Journey to Redemption
McIntyre's championship victory marks the culmination of years of determination following multiple setbacks. His first two WWE Championship reigns in 2020 and 2021 occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely in empty arenas, denying him the chance to celebrate with fans.
The first time I won the WWE Championship, unfortunately the world had to go shut down on us, didn't it?" McIntyre told the Glasgow crowd. "I won it twice, and I'm proud of what we did during that period. We gave people an escape during scary times, but I swore I would get the title back.
The Scottish Warrior also reflected on past disappointments, including his devastating loss to Roman Reigns at Clash at the Castle in Cardiff in 2022, where interference from Solo Sikoa crushed his championship dreams.
A Promise Fulfilled
In his heartfelt address, McIntyre emphasized the significance of finally achieving his goal in front of his people.
Last night, you couldn't have written it any better. I won the WWE Championship and the very first place I was able to walk out in front of live fans as the number one wrestler on planet Earth was Glasgow, where I can fulfill my promise," McIntyre declared.
The champion, who attended Glasgow Caledonian University for four years before signing with WWE 18 years ago, pointed out family members in the audience and paid tribute to his late aunt during the emotional moment.
McIntyre concluded the celebration by leading the arena in a rousing rendition of "Flower of Scotland," dedicating the moment to the Scottish national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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With the Undisputed WWE Championship now around his waist, McIntyre's reign has already begun with intensity. His rivalry with Cody Rhodes is expected to continue, potentially setting up a rematch at an upcoming premium live event.
The Scottish Superstar's championship victory represents not just a personal triumph, but a historic moment for WWE's European fanbase, as the company continues to expand its presence in international markets during the current European tour.