As the anticipation builds for Chapter 169: The Devil On My Shoulder, the spotlight turns to the main event of Kid Lykos vs Luke Jacobs for the PROGRESS Wrestling Men’s World Championship. In this exclusive interview, we delve into Lykos’ preparation and psyche, his thoughts on facing a former friend and what the huge fan support he has means to him. Join us as we get an inside look at the mind of a champion.

Lykos, firstly congratulations on your current run as PROGRESS Champion. After such a long chase, you finally defeated Spike Trivet and claimed the gold you longed for. Your run has seen you defeat Lio Rush, Man Like DeReiss and Mark Haskins so far. How proud of your reign are you?

I’m very proud of the reign so far. I earned the right to become champion with a really long, hard battle against Spike Trivet. I’ve faced off with greats like Lio Rush, exceptional wrestlers like Mark Haskins and friends like Man Like DeReiss. I’ve wrestled people with different styles, with different relationships to myself personally and shown versatility and heart in each match which I think is something a Champion should always show. It’s something I’m very proud of.

At Super Strong Style 16, as you celebrated with with friend Luke Jacobs, he blindsided you and attacked you physically and verbally. How heavy a burden is being champion?

The burden of being champion is surprisingly heavier than I expected. You would like to think nothing would change but as has been evident throughout my rise… things can change dramatically. My relationship with Connor Mills has changed and now Luke Jacobs has chosen the PROGRESS Men’s World Championship over our friendship, which I’m devastated about. He’s called that pathetic, but that’s where we differ. My emotions are what helped me stay grounded and keep fighting to eventually beat Spike for the title – but he wouldn’t know. He’s not the champion and he doesn’t know the burden it carries because he’s never been a World Champion. The burden is heavy but at least I know what I’m doing now.

Luke Jacobs recently made some strong statements about you and your place in PROGRESS Wrestling. How do you respond to his claims that you are holding the company back?

I think Luke Jacobs’ claims that I’m holding the company back are a joke. You can see the reaction both in the Electric Ballroom and online when I won the PROGRESS Men’s World Championship. Its clearly bringing eyes to the product and getting people excited which is the most important part of this job. I’m bringing PROGRESS back to the levels before the pandemic with stars like British Strong Style and WALTER. We need stars, we need guys like Mark Haskins… guys that can go and I’m part of that group. To say I’m holding PROGRESS back is a joke. I’ve done everything a World Champion should do – I’ve been beaten down and I’ve got back up. I’ve overcome every obstacle. I embody what a World Champion should be with my traits and Luke knows nothing of that.

At SSS16 Luke Jacobs faced Kid Lykos II, did you take any pointers from that match being at ringside?

I know how Luke wrestles. I have teamed with him and I’ve faced him in the past… but being there at ringside was interesting as I saw an even bigger level of aggression from him than before and its something I’m going to have to look out for.

After Jacobs’ aggressive attack, what motivates you most going into Chapter 169? Is it about proving him wrong, or is there more driving you?

I’m still doing this #foreveryone. A lot of people were upset with what Luke did. He had a lot of fans of his own in the Ballroom the day he attacked me and he ruined that. I’m doing it for all those people he upset. I’m going to keep pushing and win this match for them.

Jacobs talked about your past friendship and how his respect deteriorated. From your perspective, what led to this breakdown, and how does it affect you going into your match?

I have no idea what led to it… you’ll have to ask him. There’s no point in commenting on it because I don’t know what to say.

Despite Jacobs’ comments, you have strong overwhelming support from the fans inside the Electric Ballroom. How important is their support to you, Kid Lykos and how does it influence your performance?

The fan support is everything, it provides a next gear that others can’t tap into. Its what drives me to get up again. It’s what used to drive me to pop my shoulder back in place after yet another dislocation back in the day. It’s what has got me to the PROGRESS Men’s World Championship and its what is keeping me there. It’s everything.

Kid Lykos, You have said if Jacobs is to take the PROGRESS Men’s World Championship, he is going to have to prize it from your cold dead hands. Any last words for your opponent before your match?

It’s simple. He’s not ready. His ego is outweighing his talent right now. Regardless of my personal feelings towards what’s happened, I’m going to beat him because I’m better than him. Every high-profile match we have wrestled, I’ve beaten Luke Jacobs. In the Electric Ballroom I’m going go beat him again… and you can hold that.

PROGRESS Wrestling tickets are available for all future shows via the dice app, including this July’s event, THE DEVIL ON MY SHOULDER featuring Kid Lykos vs Luke Jacobs for the PROGRESS Wrestling Men’s World Championship. See you on Sunday, 28th July!

You can see Kid Lykos PROGRESS Wrestling matches, including his iconic cage match with Spike Trivet, by subscribing to DEMAND PROGRESS PLUS.