Rangers fan Drew McIntyre handed major prize at Ibrox alongside Strongman Tom Stoltman ahead of WWE Clash at the Castle Scotland
WWE's Scottish sensation Drew McIntyre's aim for a dream weekend got off to the perfect start thanks to a visit to his beloved Ibrox Stadium.
McIntyre, who challenges for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in his homeland this Saturday at Clash at the Castle: Scotland in Glasgow.
The star, who wrestles as the Scottish Warrior on the company's weekly SmackDown television show, challenges champion Damian Priest for the gold.
The epic showdown makes up part of a blockbuster weekend for many in the UK, but not least McIntyre, who sees Scotland begin their Euro 2024 campaign with a dauting assignment against hosts Germany on Friday.
The multi-time former champion has at least been able to warm up for that double header in style - quickly heading for Ibrox Stadium, home of his beloved Rangers, for a major recognition award.
For his incredible contribution to the wrestling scene in his home nation, he was inducted into The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame for Scotland.
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The prestigious accolade was awarded by the Lord Provost of Glasgow City Council, Jacqueline McLaren, with McIntyre credited as a pioneer of Scottish Wrestling, and hailed as a star that has revived the sport nationally, after a previous, major decline.
The Hall of Fame ceremony celebrates legendary wrestlers from WWE, with the likes of George Kidd, Frank Cullen and Drew McDonald being inducted in the past.
Also attending the ceremony were fellow current WWE star Piper Niven, and the World’s Strongest Man, Tom Stoltman, fresh from his own global triumph in the US last month that saw him claim the gong for a third time.
Hopes are raised for McIntyre that he'll be able to go one one better than the inaugural Clash at the Castle event two years ago.
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The megashow aired in Cardiff, Wales when McIntyre was once again in the main event, challenging Roman Reigns for what was then the Undisputed Universal Championship.
He looked to have ended Reigns historic run with the gold, too, only for interference from a debuting Solo Sikoa to spoil the party before it could get started.
The Ayr native's chances on Saturday are boosted by the storyline stipulation that that will see Priest's Judgement Day team mates banned from ringside - though that does little to dampen the possibility of CM Punk getting involved.
McIntyre will nonetheless want to exact a measure of revenge on Priest, who became champ by cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase after the powerhouse's own title win over Seth Rollins at WrestleMania.
Elsewhere this weekend at Clash at the Castle: Scotland, home nation hopes are carried further by Niven who has a title match of her own.
She'll meet Bayley for the WWE Women's Championship, while Scottish pairing Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn are part of a Women's Tag Team title bout that features champs Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair and fellow challengers Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark.
WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes also puts his title on the line in an I Quit match against AJ Styles in a re-match from their epic showing at Backlash: France.
The night's other match is for the Intercontinental championship, with Champion Sami Zayn defending against Chad Gable.