Damian Priest is set to go to war with Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania this weekend.
The volatile showdown between two of WWE‘s top stars has been a year in the making and will take the form of a ‘Sin City Street Fight’.
Beef between the pair dates back to WrestleMania 40, where moments after McIntyre overcame Seth Rollins to win the World Heavyweight Championship, Priest cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to take the title away from him.
While CM Punk played a role in costing McIntyre the belt, which he lost minutes after winning in a ‘holy s***’ moment, the Scottish star has since focused his attentions on Priest as he seeks revenge.
Quite what a ‘Sin City Street Fight’ will entail is still anyone’s guess, but expect a brutal bout to unfold in front thousands of fans who will pack into Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday.
An all-out brawl will likely suit both men just fine.
McIntyre, who has recently offered WrestleMania advice to fans, has a reputation as one of WWE’s most brutal stars — and often takes a strike-heavy approach with a focus on power moves that lead up to his signature ‘Claymore kick’ finisher.
Priest’s move-set, meanwhile, is heavily influenced by his background in martial arts and he is no stranger to incorporating high-flying moves into his powerful arsenal.
The SmackDown star’s connection with martial arts stretches back decades, and he learned Goju-ryu karate from his father.
His dad, in fact, has lived quite a life of his own, and once beat Chuck Norris in a fight.
Yes, that’s round-house kicking Brazilian jiu jitsu and judo black belt Chuck Norris, movie star of the 1980s who sparked a cult following thanks to his tough guy reputation.
“(The story) was something that I heard from, not just him, but from other martial artists that were around in that era, in the 70s, and it was before Chuck Norris was even a name,” Priest told Digital Spy of his father back in 2020.
“They had an exhibition fight that wasn’t meant to have a winner, but they all said that if there was one by points, or whatever, my father landed way more strikes and kind of outperformed (Norris).
“So he would have won the fight in that sense.”
With a father who bettered the legendary ‘Chuck’ in an exhibition bout, it’s little surprise that Priest has gone on to become a top wrestling star.
He has also previously spoken about how martial arts has influenced his own style in the ring.
“It helped me get to where I am,” Priest, 42, said last February.
“Just the physical aspect of it… It’s probably helped my body last as long as it has. Because of the training and whatnot.
“Granted, my flexibility is not what it used to be, so I don’t throw as many kicks and stuff like that anymore.
“But it clearly had a huge influence and it still continues to do so.
“I’ve always loved martial arts.”
If Priest is to settle his beef with McIntyre once and for all at WrestleMania, he will have to dig deeper than he ever has before inside the squared circle.
Perhaps he could take some tips from his Chuck Norris-banishing father, too.
