Drew McIntyre wants to bring forgotten moves back to WWE
Drew McIntyre has been practising holds and counter-holds for the first time in around 17 years after finding a wrestling ring close to his home in Nashville.
Drew McIntyre has been practising holds and counter-holds for the first time in around 17 years after finding a wrestling ring close to his home in Nashville.
The former WWE champion, who has been away from television since WrestleMania 42, has been using a school opened by fellow wrestler Miro, known to WWE fans as Rusev.
Speaking on The Joe Vulpis Podcast, McIntyre explained that he visits whenever he is home, working with local wrestlers while avoiding anything that could cause an injury.
He said the sessions have brought back a side of his wrestling that audiences rarely get to see.
McIntyre grew up learning a traditional British style built around technical exchanges, with opponents moving from one hold into another.
But when he started working in America, he found the approach did not fit the way he was being presented.
As his size and character developed, he began relying more heavily on punches, kicks and throwing opponents around the ring.
Returning to those early lessons has surprised even some of his training partners.
He recalled their reaction: "I didn't know you could do this."
His own response was just as surprised.
He said: "I forgot I could do this."
The Scottish star, who now weighs 285lbs, is considering bringing some of those exchanges into his WWE matches, although he does not intend to abandon his usual physical approach.
He pointed out that technical exchanges with much smaller opponents may not always look convincing when there is such a considerable difference in size.
For McIntyre, keeping the action believable remains more important than showing off everything he can do.
He has also been looking through footage of his earlier career after someone mentioned a match he had wrestled against Will Ospreay.
The clips reminded him of techniques he had stopped using as his on-screen persona changed.
He joked: "I'm going to totally steal from myself."
McIntyre has spent his WWE absence pursuing acting roles, including Highlander and The Last Druid, while continuing to train between filming commitments.
He recently said he feels fitter and more agile despite being heavier than he was before his break.
The former world champion last wrestled for WWE against Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania in April.
Although he has spoken about returning, WWE has not announced a date for his next match.
