5 of Drew McIntyre's biggest WWE victories

#3 Drew McIntyre defeats Goldberg at Royal Rumble 2021

Drew McIntyre earned the respect of Goldberg.

At Royal Rumble 2021, Drew McIntyre defended his WWE Championship against a hungry Goldberg. The 54-year-old returned on the first episode of RAW to challenge McIntyre. The Hall of Famer wanted to teach the WWE Champion a valuable lesson in respect, but he also wanted to win the prestigious WWE Championship. He had won the Universal Championship last year. Hence, McIntyre was facing the biggest threat to his WWE Championship.

The two beasts fought in a thrilling three-minute encounter that opened the show. It wasn't a technical masterpiece but an all-out war. Goldberg speared the WWE Champion through the barricade but fell victim to a skull-cracking Claymore that earned the WWE Champion a decisive victory.

It was a passing-the-torch moment. McIntyre had earned the respect of the iconic Goldberg, who willingly shook the champion's hand and raised his arm.

Defeating a Hall of Famer who has been nearly invincible for more than two decades was a huge accomplishment for the rising star. McIntyre had overcome the greatest hurdle in his long WWE Championship reign.

It wasn't Goldberg's retirement match, but he walked out with his head held high. He made McIntyre look like a star.