Here’s a question that spawned from a recent anonymous Q&A we did on Instagram.

What if The Drew Galloway Invitational returned in 2026?

In 2017 and in 2018 from the mind of Red Lightning, Glasgow Pro Wrestling Asylum put on a two day tournament as a showcase of professional wrestling. It pitted three Scottish wrestling schools together along with a few wildcards to bring out some of the best unknown talents in this country. Originally named The Asylum Invitational Tournament, it was rebranded in 2018 to The Drew Galloway Invitational.

Winners include Aaron Echo (2017) and Irving Garrett (2018) with the former going forward and becoming Insane Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion down the line. Other wrestlers that have taken part include Theo Doros (wildcard 2017), Craig Anthony (Source Wrestling School 2018), and Leyton Buzzard (GPWA 2017).

Since the return of shows after the pandemic a lot more promotions are taking chances on their own students which has created an even bigger pool of wrestlers all vying for limited spots on shows around the country and beyond.

So here’s the scenario, a 16 man tournament, where three schools host various bouts across the year culminating in the final. For my pitch and example it would be at Iron Kingdom if that was a returning event in 2026. With Iron Girders hosting the final they’d be granted an additional entrant.

On the committee would be the head coaches of three well respected wrestling facilities; Wolfgang of Iron Girders, Mark Coffey of Glasgow Pro Wrestling Asylum, and Andy Roberts of Pro Wrestling Ready. To add further credence to their roles they, and their team, would scout the wildcard entrants, with every seminar and show that they appear on being the potential to open a door into the tournament.

Let me sit back on my armchair for a second to put forward a mix of new fresh faced wrestlers, and those that could be considered diamonds in the rough that are knocking on the door of glory.

IRON GIRDERS PRO WRESTLING

  • Archie Williams
  • Blonde Valentine
  • Dragonheart
  • Kai Silva

GLASGOW PRO WRESTLING ASYLUM

  • Dane Diablo
  • Niko Astro
  • Thomas Avery

PRO WRESTLING READY

  • Leon Redfield
  • Patty
  • Ray Callix

WILDCARD

  • Bryan Mojo (Glasgow School of Wrestling)
  • Finlay Bane (Disco Academy)
  • Kai Orson (WrestleZone Training Academy)
  • Reece Howlette (LKS Dojo of Excellence)
  • Sebastian Asher (Dundee & Angus Pro Wrestling)
  • Struan Fraser (Combat League Wrestling)

The idea would mean first round matches would take place at either GPWA, Iron Girders, and PWR PRO events with qualifiers potentially taking place all over the country from Combat League Wrestling in Thurso to WrestleZone in Aberdeen, Discovery Wrestling in Edinburgh, Fair City Wrestling in Perth, or along the road to VALOR at The Grand Ole Opry, offering a chance to part of this big celebration of pro wrestling excellence.

It’s also a potential to bring a network of professional wrestling schools together for exchanges and forge some working relationships to strengthen the Scottish wrestling scene.

The momentum is picking up in Scottish wrestling and 2026 has the makings of a huge year from all corners of the country.

Obviously the logistics to keep track of the results, along with gauging the audience reaction to make sure that the outcomes create an engaging narrative would be difficult, but even with that being the case that engagement to encourage fans to attend multiple promotions to keep as up to the minute on the developments as their favourites advance is exciting.

Could this be a thing and would you want to see it in the future?