Drew McIntyre reveals WWE wanted his gimmick to be an underwear model before Vince McMahon made him the ‘Chosen One’
DREW MCINTYRE has revealed WWE wanted his gimmick to be an underwear model before Vince McMahon made him the 'Chosen One'.
The Scotsman is currently riding high as WWE Champion and successfully defended his title against Goldberg at the Royal Rumble.
McIntyre, 35, joined WWE originally in 2007 but got his big break on TV when he was introduced as ‘The Chosen One’ and a ‘future world champion’ by McMahon in 2009.
He eventually lived up to that billing after a storied journey that included being released before bouncing back via the independent scene and culminating in him defeating Brock Lesnar at last year’s WrestleMania.
However, none of this may ever have happened had WWE’s original plans for him materialised.
Appearing on , McIntyre explained: “I got told about it, I was about 260lbs at the time. 'We've got this great idea for you Drew, you're going to be...A RUNWAY MAN!
“‘You're going to come out on a runway and model the latest underpants. That's going to be your gimmick, you're going to be this model character.’
“All my dreams just crashed before my very eyes, but I couldn't register it on my face because it's WWE and it's a great opportunity.
“I just nodded like 'that's a great idea.' I lost about 35 pounds to get the abs in, looking like an Abercrombie & Fitch model. I had a shaved face, looking like a pretty boy. I looked the part.”
The Ayr-born superstar continued: “I sat down with Vince McMahon and he asked me my honest opinion on the character and I said, 'You know what sir, if it gets me on television then I'll make it work.'
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“He clearly saw that I did not it at all and he said, 'Go out there and be yourself.' I had already lost 35 pounds and I had to gain the weight back. I looked like a male model but had to be a butt-kicker.”
McIntyre, who will next defend his title against Sheamus as he waits to discover who Edge wants to challenge at WrestleMania after winning the Rumble, added: “I'm glad that never saw the light. Thank God!
“The best characters are an extension of your personality. A male model is nowhere close to my personality. I was watching YouTube videos trying to figure out how to be a runway model.
“My goodness, it was not the one for me.”
