Eddie Dennis claimed you’d have to kill him to beat him. After such a brutal match, how do you feel about that statement?

Eddie Dennis evidently doesn’t know much about me as a person. To make a statement like that when your facing someone like me is not the brightest move because I instantly took it as a challenge and look what happened, I gave that man the beating of a lifetime and kept my world title, a job well done I’d say.

During the match, you used a low blow, exposed the turnbuckle, and continued attacking after the towel was thrown in. Can you explain your actions and mindset during those moments?

I was also hit with a chair and low blowed myself so I think it was all fair in the end, I’m a champion and I have a champions mindset, I’ll do everything to keep my PROGRESS Men’s World Championship. The reason I carried on after the towel was thrown in was to make people like Eddie and even Tate, understand who I am and that you can’t cross the world champion, blame Tate because he felt the need to get involved in my business and Eddie paid the price because of it.

You’ve now retained your title and move on to face Timothy Thatcher in Oberhausen. What are your thoughts on Thatcher as an opponent?

I’ve watched thatcher for many years, I know what he’s all about and I know I’m not in for an easy shift but I’m a world champion and there’s a reason why…

Thatcher commented that the last time he saw you, you were just a “skinny kid.” How do you respond to that, considering how much you’ve evolved as a wrestler?

Thatcher can say what he likes, I was 19 years old, I’m now 24 and an undisputed world champion and the pound for pound best wrestler in Europe. Tim can make all the comments he likes, but he will find out on Saturday that times have changed.

Looking ahead, if you’re still champion by Chapter 172, is there anyone you have in mind for a title defence?

Bring on anyone and everyone I don’t care, people think they can just come out and make a claim for a title shot, if that’s the way it’s going to be then so be it. Cara Noir, Dereiss, Leon or whoever thinks they have a chance at taking my world title, bring it on because I’ll deal with them all one by one and PROGRESS will stay north west strong, no matter what.

You’ve been confirmed to appear at Chapter 173 in your hometown of Manchester. How does it feel to have a homecoming and also to have the potential to have it as a champion?

Progress is returning to Manchester and I MUST be world champion, if I do not walk into Manchester as PROGRESS Men’s World Champion I should be ashamed and embarrassed, but I’m not to worried about that because I’m Luke Jacobs and nobody stands a chance at taking my World Championship. I don’t get to wrestle much in Manchester and that’s a shame, so I’m very excited to return to my hometown.

PROGRESS Wrestling tickets are available for all future shows via the dice app, including this October’s event, WEREWOLVES OF LONDON. See you on Sunday, 27th October!

Watch wrestling online! You can see Luke Jacobs matches in PROGRESS Wrestling, including his SSS16 and Title wins by subscribing to DEMAND PROGRESS PLUS.