Early in his WWE journey, Drew McIntyre briefly played “The Chosen One,” but there was an alternative concept that almost changed his path. On a No Contest Wrestling podcast, McIntyre recalled being pitched a fashion-themed character called “Runway Man” by John Laurinaitis, then head of talent relations. The gimmick involved McIntyre strutting down a model’s runway, which he immediately disliked, feeling it would ruin his career. Although hesitant, he was willing to proceed if WWE chairman Vince McMahon approved the idea. During a meeting, McIntyre told McMahon he’d perform the role if required but stayed quiet, which McMahon interpreted as reluctance. Fortunately, the idea was dropped, allowing McIntyre to portray a version of himself as The Chosen One and eventually find his true identity in wrestling after returning to WWE years later.
Before the “Runway Man” character was scrapped, McIntyre prepared seriously for the potential role, even losing about 35 pounds and practicing model walks. He joked about resembling the movie “Avatar” with his slender look and ponytail back then. McIntyre acknowledged how disastrous that persona could have been for his career. Instead, in 2009, McMahon reintroduced him on WWE SmackDown as “The Chosen One,” praising his intelligence, looks, aggression, and potential as a World Heavyweight Champion—a title McIntyre would clinch over a decade later in 2020. Now, he’s better known as the “Scottish Warrior,” sporting an edgy kilt, a long black vest, and wielding a sword.
Fan Take: This behind-the-scenes glimpse at Drew McIntyre’s near “Runway Man” gimmick is a fascinating reminder of how close WWE stars sometimes come to completely different career paths. For WWE fans, it highlights the importance of authentic characters in the sport and how McIntyre’s real success came when he stayed true to himself, inspiring both wrestlers and audiences alike.
