Inside Drew McIntyre's decision to sign new WWE contract: The promise The Rock made to him at WrestleMania, talks with Triple H and now headlining Scotland's first WWE premium live event

A decade ago, Drew McIntyre's wildest dreams wouldn't have permitted him to even consider what he's been able to achieve in wrestling for the past few years, and he pushes himself further into the fantasy realm with a landmark moment this weekend in his home country of Scotland.

 For the first time ever, WWE will host a premium live event - the company's name for a pay-per-view - in Scotland and McIntyre will main event, gunning for Damien Priest's world heavyweight title.

The 39-year-old was also inducted into the Scottish Hall of Fame at Ibrox on Thursday, the home of his beloved Rangers. 

Now, 10 years after he was a footnote in a host of WWE releases, the three-time world champion is signing new money-spinning contracts with help of The Rock and leading major WWE shows to a rabid British fanbase.

From a non-existent wrestling scene in Scotland that forced Drew to travel down to Portsmouth to learn how to wrestle as a teenager, now he is spearheading a bunch of patriots including Piper Niven, Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn Clash at the Castle II.

'It's pretty surreal,' McIntyre started. 'There's only about 10 people in it [the Scottish Hall of Fame] and I'm the only active wrestler to be in it. 

'Its absolutely surreal that it's happening at Ibrox, I haven't been able to go to a game in 17 years while I've been gone in America and I certainly haven't been in here as a fan I wasn't cool enough... thank you WWE! [laughs]. I can't wrap my head around today.'

McIntyre took his decision to re-sign with WWE down to the wire just a few weeks before his deal ran out, and smartly so. In a landscape that has seen AEW offer big money to prize away top talents, the Scottish Warrior forced WWE to act to keep him.

So is he happy with his choice? 

'Beyond happy with the decision made. We worked out a deal that was not only great for myself, but my family,' McIntyre stressed. 'It's been a whirlwind just like my entire career. It's another chapter. 

'To now main event the first ever premium live event in Scotland after the last Clash at the Castle, the dagger that went through our heart, the UK needs a big win, Scotland needs a big win,' the Scot said, alluding to his nation's Euro 2024 tie with Germany.

What sealed the deal for McIntyre when negotiating his new contract? 

'Key conversations with everybody. Triple H, The Rock but most importantly my wife. At this point in my life, it's about happiness. 

'I realised life is short, the older you get you realise that. At the same time, she realises this is my dream and what I always wanted to do. I just had to find the balance, keep riding this rocket ship we're on right now. 

Especially with this character stuff we're doing with Hunter (Triple H) right now, the creative, you can see the difference across the board. How many superstars are getting over and how much easier it is to watch RAW for three hours now [laughs].'

'It was a great conversation with Rock. He's been there, he's been a great mentor and such high level advice you can't get from many people. And on the contract stuff, obviously Nick [Khan] and Paul [Levenque] were the main people there and everyone walked away happy. I won't be going anywhere for a few years. Or even longer, let's just see how my body feels!'

The Rock gifted McIntyre a sword when his new deal was announced in a video where the Scot can be seen saying The People's Champion was a man of his word - so what did The Rock say? 

'It was not expected,' McIntyre said of the gift. 'If you see the video I say 'you're a man of your word, he remembered' - it was based on a conversation we had at WrestleMania, we had a really nice chat. 

'In the locker room I remember everyone's head turning like 'why is The Rock in our locker room?!' [laughs]. We had a great chat. He's always there for the advice. I mentioned redecorating my office, I don't bring the sword to the ring anymore. 

 'If it's a special occasion, yes, but I did say I would like one of those for my office wall. He was like 'I'll make that happen.' Just a passing comment, 'I'll make that happen'. 

'I never thought anything of it, I thought clearly he won't remember that, he's way too busy. Sure enough, I had a business meeting with Nick and the sword turned up with a very nice note - I'll never reveal what it said - but yeah, he is a man of his word,' McIntyre explained.

So after being inducted into a Hall of Fame at Ibrox and having Clash of the Castle at the OVO Hydro, is Ibrox the next logical place for a Scottish show? 

'One of the big four would be nice. But it's up to our Scottish fans to bring it. That's what happened in France. Everyone is still talking about it, buzzing about it. Puerto Rico, too. I'm sure they'll get another show and France certainly will. 

'People are talking about it on the roster and the higher-ups making those decisions, so it's up to the Scottish fans to show up and show out on Friday and Saturday. I know they can, I know they will. And please do that - then it's easier for me to push for bigger shows in bigger stadiums!'

Friday Night SmackDown airs live from the Hydro Glasgow, Friday June 14th, tune in on TNT Sports.

Clash at the Castle: Scotland airs live from the Hydro Glasgow, Saturday June 15th, tune in on the WWE Network and TNT Sports Box Office.