During a recent interview, Drew McIntyre explained why he took such a long hiatus away from WWE after his loss at Bad Blood. And it was not due to just recovering from the massive cut he suffered during the match.
This was arguably the best year of Drew McIntyre’s WWE career. Sure, winning the Royal Rumble and being one of the faces of the company in 2020 was a high point. However, that year was also forever altered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Related: After Bad Blood, Where Do Drew McIntyre And CM Punk Go?
This year, the Scottish superstar evolved into the company’s top heel via a fantastic feud with returning legend CM Punk. The rivalry helped showcase the various talents he has and landed him a big pay raise in a new contract from the company.
However, after bringing his amazing feud with Punk to an end inside the Hell in a Cell at October’s Bad Blood Premium Live Event, McIntyre was off WWE television for two months until he made his surprise return last week on WWE Raw.
There has been a lot of speculation about why he took so much time off during a high point in his career. Well, he explained why during a chat this week with local Kansas TV station KWCH 12.
Drew McIntyre took extra time off due to the passing of a relative
“I got hit in the head at one point and needed 16 staples to close a wound at the top of my head,” McIntyre started by saying (h/t Wrestle Purists). “Suffered a family loss as well. So I went back to Scotland to deal with that. And re-evaluate my priorities and realize that I have probably given a bit too much to my profession, to my colleagues, and not enough to my family.
“I kind of realized I’ve been giving a bit too much for the past 17 years. And it’s time to start taking a little more.”
Drew McIntyre has mentioned in the past the sacrifices he has made to become a wrestling superstar in the United States. It has meant a lot of missed time with his loved ones back in Scotland. So it is understandable he was given some extra time to be with them during a tough period. It was well earned after a fantastic last six months.
Related: Drew McIntyre Reveals Worst Moment Of His Pro Wrestling Career And It Involves A Huge Name
