Drew McIntyre was about to join major promotion before his WWE return

Drew McIntyre's journey back into WWE in 2017 is a truly inspirational story of redemption and reinvention. However, The Scottish Warrior recently revealed that he was about to join NJPW before his return to the Stamford-based wrestling promotion.

The Chosen One was released from his contract with WWE in June 2014. Following his departure from the global juggernaut, McIntyre returned to the independent circuit. The Scotsman made a name for himself with highly impressive performances and soon signed a deal with TNA Wrestling before eventually moving back to WWE.

During his recent appearance on the No Contest wrestling podcast, Drew McIntyre noted that about one month following his release, the former Intercontinental Champion realized he needed the setback. He claimed that Triple H and William Regal were still keeping an eye on him.

"And my first thought was, I mean, I am—it was only a month ago I got fired, but maybe I just needed a kick in the a**. And sure enough, Hunter was watching me that whole time, with William Regal especially keeping tabs and keeping him updated," McIntyre said.

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Drew McIntyre added that before his return to WWE, he was ready to go to Japan and had even had serious conversations with people about it. However, based on William Regal's advice, he spoke to Triple H, and a minute into speaking with The Game, McIntyre realized it was the right time to make his WWE return.

"Then in 2017, before I returned to WWE, I was ready to go to New Japan at that point—that's where my head was at. I spoke to the right people to start having serious conversations, and Regal told me, you gotta talk to Hunter first, gotta talk to Paul first. And one minute into that conversation, I knew it was time to come back," McIntyre added. [H/T: RingsideNews]

Check out the whole conversation in the video below:

Drew McIntyre secured a massive win on WWE SmackDown

Drew McIntyre is scheduled to challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship on the latest edition of Saturday Night's Main Event. However, ahead of the title bout, he wrestled Jimmy Uso in a No Disqualification Match last week on SmackDown.

The two stars traded blows in a highly engaging contest that ended after Drew McIntyre threw a steel chair into Uso's face, followed by the Claymore for the pin. The Scottish Warrior continued to assault Jimmy Uso after the match. Cody Rhodes tried to make the save, but eventually it was McIntyre who stood tall to end the show.

It will be intriguing to witness who comes out on top after everything is said and done later this weekend at Saturday Night's Main Event.

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Edited by Ankit Verma