Drew Galloway Appears at NXT TakeOver: Orlando

Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Drew Galloway was shown sitting ringside at NXT Takeover Orlando.

Drew Galloway, better known as Drew McIntyre by the WWE Universe was shown sitting ringside before the NXT title match between Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura.  Galloway was among the exodus of talent that recently left Impact Wrestling. ESPN also confirmed that Galloway signed with NXT.

Back in 2009, he was known as McIntyre and was once considered “The Chosen One.” Vince McMahon once called the young superstar a “future world champion.” During his first go around on WWE’s main roster, he would become an Intercontinental Champion and a Tag Team Champion (with Cody Rhodes).

However much like many up and coming superstars, Drew got lost in the shuffle with various story lines including 3MB. After floundering in the lower midcard he would eventually be released from his WWE contract in 2014.

Galloway joined TNA in 2015 and during his tenure he would capture the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and Impact Grand Championship. So Mr. McMahon was right he was a future world champion.

His return could signal a second WWE run and in many ways, a second chance. Since he was last seen by the WWE Universe, the 31 year old Scottish superstar has reinvented himself. In so many ways it would be a disappointment to see his talent wasted on something like a 3MB reunion.

Bobby Roode debuted on WWE programming in a very similar fashion and has since gone on to become NXT Champion. Galloway never competed in NXT, when he was in WWE’s developmental territory, it was FCW and he won the FCW World Heavyweight and Tag Team championships.

Galloway returning to the WWE for an NXT run makes sense. When he was signed with TNA he was still competing across independent promotions and one of them was EVOLVE. In EVOLVE, Galloway competed against Chris Hero, Johnny Gargano, TJ Perkins and other wrestlers who are now currently under contract with WWE.

Next: NXT TakeOver: Orlando Review

It makes sense for Galloway to return to WWE as Drew McIntyre, especially in NXT. They need more talent down in Orlando and much of NXT’s criticism stems from the lack of homegrown talent. Ironically, homegrown talent was spotted in attendance at Takeover.