WWE News: Drew McIntyre nearly signed with NJPW before 2017 WWE return & Chelsea Green's new contract

(Courtesy : WWE)
The Scottish Warrior kicked off his second WWE run in 2017.
‘The Scottis Warrior’ Drew McIntyre, after three years of absence, made his WWE return in 2017 during NXT TakeOver: Orlando in April to kick off his second run in the company. Unlike his first run, which ended in 2014, this time around, Drew catapulted into the main event scene, becoming one of the top stars.
However, in a recent interview, McIntyre revealed that his return and the success that followed almost didn’t happen. During his conversation with No-Contest Wrestling, McIntyre reflected on his time away from WWE between 2014 and 2017.
Drew McIntyre’s conversation with William Regal changed his mind

McIntyre explained that after wrapping up his two-year run in TNA, he was preparing to head to NJPW. However, a conversation with William Regal ultimately changed his course.
“In 2017, when 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 the serious conversations,
And Regal told me ‘You’ve got to talk to him, talk to Hunter first, go talk to Paul first’, and it was one minute into the conversation, I knew it was time to come back.”
During his stint outside WWE, competing under his real name, Drew Galloway McIntyre, he won several world championships in promotions such as TNA Wrestling, WCPW, Evolve, and ICW. However, he never competed for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
McIntyre is currently set to battle Cody Rhodes in a rematch for the Undisputed WWE title at the upcoming November 1 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Chelsea Green signs a new contract with WWE

According to a recent report from Fightful Select, inaugural Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green signed a new deal with WWE earlier this year. Per Fightful, Green signed a new WWE contract back in January, months before the news became public. Her new deal keeps her with the company until 2030.
Green originally signed a three-year contract with the Stamford-based promotion near the end of 2022, ahead of her surprise return at the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble. The deal was set to expire later this year, but company officials reached out to her early to negotiate an extension.
Has Drew McIntyre ever wrestled in NJPW?
No, during his stint outside WWE, competing under his real name, Drew Galloway McIntyre, he won several world championships in promotions such as TNA Wrestling, WCPW, Evolve, and ICW. However, he never competed for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Did Chelsea Green sign a new contract with WWE?
Yes, per Fightful, Green signed a new WWE contract back in January, months before the news became public. Her new deal keeps her with the company until 2030.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram & Whatsapp.
Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.
- Is WWE planning to fire Triple H amid fallout from John Cena's retirement match?
- WWE NXT (December 23, 2025): Women’s US Championship match; Men’s Speed Championship #1 contenders tournament & more set for next week
- Major botch: Thea Hail beats Blake Monroe to win WWE NXT Women's North American Championship
- WWE NXT Preview (December 16, 2025): Match card, news, timings & where to watch
- John Cena officially retires: Two WWE superstars who won their final match