‘Finish the story!’
This is a quote we’ve heard quite frequently this year in the world of professional wrestling, as the American Nightmare Cody Rhodes chases his first WWE World Heavyweight title reign.
However, it is not only the son of WWE Hall of Famer, Dusty Rhodes, who is looking to finish their story.
Former PROGRESS World Champion, Nathan Cruz, is making his long-awaited return to the brand which elevated him to being one of the best wrestlers in the UK.
Nathan, who is close friends with one half of the AEW World Tag Team Champions, FTR’s Cash Wheeler, explained why he has decided to enter this year’s Super Strong Style 16, which starts later this month…
Question: Nathan, welcome back to PROGRESS Wrestling. How does it feel, and why are you back?
“I am so excited for Super Strong Style 16, and my return has been a long time coming. I left PROGRESS in 2017 and it has always been somewhere that has meant a lot to me.
“I have got some very fond memories of PROGRESS Wrestling. I lost my PROGRESS championship more than ten years ago in November 2012, and I never got the chance to have a rematch.
“Super Strong Style presents a real opportunity to get right back in the title picture. It would be going full circle and as the saying goes, ‘finish my story’.”
Question: Any thoughts on the current PROGRESS champion, Spike Trivet?
“Watching Spike and seeing how well he gets under the skin of the PROGRESS audience is something I admire. He has done a great job, but we have never stepped in the ring together before. What I can say is I am a very different person to the one that left PROGRESS five years ago.”
Question: It is fair to say the reaction the crowd gave at the Electric Ballroom to your return was special. How did it make you feel?
“PROGRESS Wrestling has always had a special crowd. I will never forget the reaction I received at the Ballroom when they announced my return for Super Strong Style 16. It is humbling people not only remember me but appreciate me.
“There is a bit of pressure now to remind them what they have been missing. There has also been people on social media wanting me to return to PROGRESS and they have also played their part. I can’t wait to see them.”
Question: What do you make of the line-up so far for Super Strong Style 16?
“I have been so impressed with the line-up. There is some great talent, the likes of Mark Haskins, Will Ospreay, who in my opinion is one of the best professional wrestlers in the world. Then there is Leon Slater, who is one of the best young wrestlers in the UK, there are just so many.
“The only thing I can do now is be prepared for the challenge ahead. Every single work out, Super Strong Style 16 is on my mind, it is my focus, and I don’t want to let anyone down.
“I have got the motivation and my focus is entirely on this tournament. I have so much emotion going into this and that will help me get above the other competitors.
“I’ve really been salivating for the idea of coming back to PROGRESS so there’s a big emotional attachment of coming back and doing it the right way.”
Tickets for Super Strong Style 16 are still on sale.
To purchase your tickets, please CLICK HERE.
