Drew Galloway Talks TNA Impact Wrestling, the Rising, WWE Career and More

Drew Galloway has been around the wrestling business for over a decade, but at just 29 years old and starting a new chapter in his life with TNA Impact Wrestling, the sky is the limit for the talented wrestler.

Galloway signed with WWE in 2007 and was highly touted, even earning the moniker “The Chosen One” from Vince McMahon. Unfortunately, his run with the company never lived up to expectations, and he was released in 2014.

Sometimes you have to take one step backward to take two steps forward, and that’s exactly what Galloway has done. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, the young star took over the independent wrestling scene and got back to his roots as an aggressive brawler.

After shining brighter than ever on the indy scene, Galloway made his surprise debut with Impact Wrestling in January. Since arriving, he has become a fan favorite and one of the most popular wrestlers on the roster.

Earlier this week, he spoke with Ring Rust Radio (quotes courtesy of the News of Delaware County’s Joe Arcidiacono) about making his debut with TNA, his ultimate goals with Impact Wrestling, his new stable The Rising, fighting for the world title, his WWE career and so much more.

Impact Wrestling and The Rising

One of TNA’s biggest moves of the last year besides signing with Destination America is the addition of Galloway to the roster. After WWE underutilized him for several years, Impact Wrestling is already trying to get the most out of the talented wrestler.

Instead of being part of a joke stable that is used exclusively to put over other talents, Galloway is being featured as main event player. With the skill on the mic to get the fans on his side and the talent in the ring to back up what he says, the Scottish star has been a marquee signing.

When asked about what the decision-making process was like between Galloway and TNA, he spoke honestly about his apprehension regarding a return to American television and why he ultimately made the jump:

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The process involved obviously talking with the bosses over there. I was over in Scotland for a show, for a Scottish company ICW. I spoke with them and initially I was a little apprehensive. I wasn’t looking to get back on American TV so quickly to be honest. I spoke with the bosses there and they told me the plan and I got excited about. With Destination America deal and the opportunity to be a part of something on the ground floor and try to build it up; the opportunity to just be myself.

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Impact Wrestling looks to be the change that Galloway needed. With a creative team clearly behind him and the opportunity to showcase his real personality, he has taken the chance and run with it through his first several weeks on the job.

While initially he made his TNA debut on his own, Galloway has since formed The Rising, a group of wrestlers looking to make their mark on Impact Wrestling. The group includes former WWE Superstars Camacho and Shaun Ricker, now known as Myka and Eli Drake, respectively.

Galloway was asked about the stable and what each of the men brings to the table in The Rising:

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Well the guys I joined up with are guys that feel the same way I do about wrestling. They are really young, eager, and hungry. Obviously Haku’s son is a great part of the group. He’s got that family tradition and he loves wrestling more than anything. Shaun Ricker is my third man there. He is a young kid that’s being trying hard to get a break and just hasn’t gotten the opportunity yet. He has a great look and great passion. These are a couple of guys I’m excited to be running with me. Over the next couple of weeks, especially this Friday, you’re going to learn a little more about the group.

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The idea of a new stable in TNA can scare longtime fans of the product, but Galloway seems to be leading a rebellion against the injustice in the wrestling world. While it isn’t the same as The Shield, The Rising has the potential to make the same impact on the industry.

With the proper booking and several marquee storylines, the trio of underutilized wrestlers should create havoc on Impact Wrestling. The Rising is fighting for those who aren’t having their voices heard, and the premise of the group should have wrestling fans excited to watch each and every week.

WWE Career and His Future with TNA

There is a large portion of the wrestling fanbase who only knows Drew Galloway as Drew McIntyre, and that’s unfortunate. Galloway was absolutely buried by the WWE over the last several years with the company, but he understands it was all a learning process.

Not only did he receive the international exposure needed to become one of the most recognizable faces in the sport, but he also gained vital experience that has helped him take advantage of his newfound freedom in the business.

When asked about what he learned from his ups and downs with the WWE, Galloway spoke honestly about how the company helped him and how he’s utilizing those lessons in TNA:

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Well obviously you can’t help but learn getting thrust into that position and that kind of opportunity. Unfortunately, being so young and the circumstances and stories and whatever else, you think those work out but I obviously learned a great deal. I have been wrestling for fourteen years now and I’ve had those big opportunities and had opportunities to show that side of my personality. I even got to show the funnier side of my personality, so you know it was fun and I got the exposure from it. Without the WWE and the exposure I never would have gotten my chance to get my name out there in the indies, get myself to where I got to, and get myself into TNA and show the world the real Drew. I can’t be anything but thankful for that and now I am in my prime: I am 29 and I am ready to rock and the main event is the only place I’m going to be.

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Instead of taking the porous booking he was handed by the WWE and losing his love for the wrestling business, Galloway has used his experiences to motivate him to be one of the best wrestlers in the world.

After returning to the independent scene, Galloway has won world titles in several major federations, including still holding the Insane Championship Wrestling, Dragon Gate USA and Evolve championships.

One title he has yet to win is the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, but that is a problem he is looking to remedy sooner rather than later. With a current champion like Kurt Angle, Galloway’s ultimate goal is winning TNA’s world title:

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Well, if you’re not hoping to win the world title then you’re out of your mind. That is the prize and that is the goal. Kurt Angle currently has it and I’m very excited for the chance and opportunity to wrestle Kurt. That’s somebody I grew up watching and every time he came on the TV I was very, very excited to watch. The idea and the possibility to wrestle Kurt Angle for the World title, I mean, holy crap. Would you guys think if you were in a position to potentially get that opportunity would it be the dream right now? I’m going to keep working my arse off until I get there.

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Galloway has been perfect for TNA. Heartfelt promos talking about how certain mainstream wrestling companies don’t give the fans what they want are refreshing points of view, and his genuine enthusiasm for the business is infectious.

It is clear from the conversation that the love of wrestling is what drives him, and at 29 years old, the sky is the limit. Galloway has been criminally underutilized for too long, and Impact Wrestling is doing what it can to unleash him on the world.

Catch Galloway on this Friday’s episode of TNA’s flagship show on Destination America at 9 p.m. ET. The Rising will be a major focal point of this week’s show, and Impact Wrestling fans can’t afford to miss it.

For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics or catch the latest episode in the player (some language NSFW).