Drew Galloway exclusive: ‘It is my mission to make ICW a worldwide player’
Scottish standout Drew Galloway’s reputation as a highly credible in-ring performer and main event attraction has skyrocketed in promotions across the globe since his seven-year stint with WWE came to an end in 2014.
Speaking to talkSPORT’s Gorilla Position, the modest and affable 30-year-old star mentions several times that he considers himself fortunate for the opportunities afforded to him - and it is clear he intends to make the most of his international profile to help elevate that of British wrestling success story ICW.
"Everything we’ve been doing over the years has turned to gold,” says the Ayr-born ace who has spent a third of his life living and working in the US, crediting media savvy promoter Mark Dallas as the “genius” motivator behind a strong team.
"I watched [ICW’s rise] happen when I was in America. I couldn’t comprehend how big it had gotten since I’d left.
"I was the first ICW champion over ten years ago, there was about 50 people in the crowd. By the time I left, there was 100-something. I watched it develop, spoke to the lads and heard what was going on and thought it sounded fantastic.
"But when I made my return in a surprise appearance a few weeks after I was gone from WWE, I actually saw it with my own eyes - 1500 rabid fans. It was just unbelievable to feel that atmosphere and see how much it has grown.
"Since then, we’ve gone from strength to strength and I’ve made it my mission to show the world that ICW has taken over Glasgow, is taking over the UK and I see it as my responsibility to help give it an international name.
"Being from Scotland, it is my job to put on the map worldwide and I consider it my mission to make sure everyone knows about it. It is just such an incredible product."
Warning: There may be occasional profanity in the videos on this page
Courting positive headlines and mainstream attention with the likes of a VICE feature about talisman Grado and two BBC ‘Insane Fight Club’ documentaries, ICW is following up on packing the punters into the SECC in Glasgow last year with a fourth UK-wide tour.
Despite ICW's knockabout, ferocious and irreverent tone when it comes to the in-ring product, the business plan is underpinned by thoroughly serious ambitions, as shown by an and the scope of the company's live event schedule.
Still, Galloway obviously feels a considerable personal bond with the promotion he has twice been champion for and praises the company members’ authentic team spirit - as well as the strength of the British wrestling scene within pro wrestling on a global level.
"Everyone sees we’re just a bunch of passionate lads trying to make it and trying to give the public something it will enjoy,” he says.
"The whole UK scene is unbelievable at the moment. ICW is my home company but I do believe it is the one right now, evidenced by the fact in November, myself and Grado - when I was champion - sold out the SECC. Over 4,000 paid fans, the biggest gate money-wise in British wrestling for 34 years. Unreal."
Having kicked off the three-part tour with dates in Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin, the Aff The Telly loop takes in London, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Glasgow in upcoming days and weeks before continuing in July with further dates in their base city, as well as Manchester and Birmingham.
Galloway explains: "It has been wild taking ICW on the road. Last year we took it to England and it was a huge success - we killed it with that tour. Recently, we took it to Ireland for the first time.
"It is going to be an absolute all-out war [in London, tomorrow]. If you’re never seen ICW before and if you’re unsure about the current product not being up to your standards as an adult - if you don’t want your intelligence being insulted - this over-18 product might be right up your alley.
"You don’t have to be a wrestling fan - ICW fans don’t actually like sports entertainment.
"It is just a fantastic night out for everybody, a bunch of lads and girls getting hammered together, joining in with the show - it is very interactive. I suggest coming along and giving it a try - I guarantee you’ll love it and you’ll be back every time."
And although he is racking up some serious air miles with commitments on both sides as the Atlantic as a freelancer and TNA World champ, Galloway can’t get enough of the exhilarating, exhausting ride.
"I have the best of both worlds,” he reflects.
"I’m in the process of buying a house outside of Tampa [in Florida] but I also get to be home [in Scotland] all the time.
"Right now is a fantastic time for wrestling. The amount of companies and diversity in wrestling… not everybody’s trying to be like WWE any more, which was a problem in the past. You can’t compete with WWE in terms of sports entertainment - but you can be different.
"You’ve got places like ICW, like PROGRESS and on TV with TNA and Lucha Underground. NXT is part of WWE but so different. Ring of Honor, too: they're all so different.
"There’s a smorgasbord of professional wrestling at the moment - but the talent level is absolutely through the roof.”
More from Drew Galloway on talkSPORT this Sunday as he discusses with Gorilla Position as to whether he sees WWE being a part of his future once again, his 3MB role, his relationship with Matt Hardy in WWE and TNA Impact Wrestling, the opportunities afforded by wrestling on the US independent scene for the likes of PWG and EVOLVE and the unique situation that sees him, as current TNA World champion, hold the EVOLVE tag title with NXT regular Johnny Gargano
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ICW tour dates
25/03/16 - Brooklyn Bowl, London - ICW Aff The Telly Tour - Pin Pals
26/03/16 - Tramshed, Cardiff - ICW Aff The Telly Tour - Gladys The Groovy Mule
27/03/16 - O2 Academy, Bournemouth - ICW Aff The Telly Tour - Rocky VII (Adrians Revenge)
02/04/16 - O2 Academy, Newcastle - ICW Aff The Telly Tour - Why Aye Man!
03/04/16 - The Barrowlands, Glasgow - ICW Barramania II
29/07/16 - O2 Ritz, Manchester - ICW Shugs Hoose Weekender - Definitely Maybe
30/07/16 - O2 Institute, Birmingham - ICW Shugs Hoose Weekender - Seven Nation Army
31/07/16 - O2 ABC, Glasgow - ICW Shugs Hoose Weekender - Shugs Weekender