There are WWE superstars who occasionally break into mainstream culture. And then there is Drew McIntyre, who somehow managed to turn a simple gym workout into one of the internet’s most unexpected crossover moments between professional wrestling and cricket.
Ahead of the IPL 2026 Eliminator, the WWE star posted a workout reel wearing teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Rajasthan Royals jersey. What truly caught fans’ attention was the caption: “Chosen One.”
The post instantly went viral across social media, drawing reactions not only from wrestling fans but also from IPL followers who may never have watched a single episode of WWE programming.
The crossover became even bigger after Riyan Parag responded to McIntyre’s post in the comments section.
“Omgggggg don’t remember how many Future Shock DDTs I’ve hit on 2K,” Parag wrote, referencing McIntyre’s iconic finishing move and the WWE video game franchise.
The interaction quickly exploded online, bringing together two massive fan communities — WWE and IPL.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Dream IPL 2026 Season
McIntyre’s tribute arrived at the perfect moment for Sooryavanshi, who has emerged as one of the breakout stars of IPL 2026.
The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals batter scored 583 runs during the season, outperforming several senior teammates including Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel heading into the playoffs.
His fearless batting performances and remarkable consistency at such a young age have made him one of the most talked-about young athletes in world cricket this year.
McIntyre’s social media post only amplified that growing global attention.
Drew McIntyre’s Journey From WWE Exit To Global Stardom
Born Andrew McLean Galloway IV on June 6, 1985, in Ayr, Scotland, McIntyre began wrestling at the age of 15 before turning professional in 2001.
He signed with WWE in 2007 and made his main roster debut a year later under the ring name Drew McIntyre. Former WWE chairman Vince McMahon famously introduced him as “The Chosen One,” a nickname that continues to define his career.
However, early expectations did not immediately translate into sustained success. McIntyre was released from WWE in 2014 and spent the next few years rebuilding himself on the independent wrestling circuit.
During that phase, he captured championships in promotions including TNA Wrestling, Evolve Wrestling, and Scotland’s Insane Championship Wrestling.
His comeback story truly began after WWE re-signed him in 2017.
McIntyre went on to win the NXT Championship before becoming one of WWE’s biggest modern stars. His crowning achievement came at WrestleMania 36 in 2020, where he became the first Scottish-born WWE Champion.
Since then, he has established himself as one of WWE’s most dependable main-event performers, spending more than 300 days as WWE Champion across multiple title reigns and headlining several premium live events.
Drew McIntyre Net Worth And WWE Salary In 2026
In 2024, McIntyre reportedly signed a lucrative new multi-year WWE contract worth around $8 million annually, placing him among the highest-paid wrestlers on the company’s roster.
The deal reportedly includes:
- Base WWE salary
- Premium live event bonuses
- Merchandise royalties
- Additional appearance-related earnings
Apart from wrestling income, McIntyre has also secured endorsement partnerships with major global brands.
He has been associated with Project Rock, the fitness label owned by Dwayne Johnson, and also maintains an ongoing relationship with Under Armour.
As of 2026, McIntyre’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $9 million, with much of that growth coming after his breakthrough WWE Championship run in 2020 transformed both his career and market value.
WWE And Cricket Fans Fuel Viral Social Media Moment
The viral Rajasthan Royals jersey post highlighted how sports and entertainment worlds increasingly overlap through social media.
What began as a workout clip from a WWE superstar quickly became a major talking point across cricket circles, especially with Sooryavanshi already dominating headlines during IPL 2026.
For many cricket fans, it was also their first introduction to McIntyre’s larger-than-life WWE persona.
And for wrestling fans, it became another reminder of just how massive the IPL’s global reach has become.