From the bright lights of Hollywood to the intense atmosphere of PROGRESS Wrestling, Paul Walter Hauser is ready to make an impact. The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor steps into the squared circle for his PROGRESS Wrestling debut on April 17th and he’s not coming quietly, he’s coming for gold.

Ahead of his highly anticipated appearance in a Proteus Championship Scramble Match, we caught up with Hauser to talk about his love for pro wrestling, why PROGRESS was the perfect place for him and what fans can expect when if he makes history in Las Vegas.

Tell us about your knowledge of PROGRESS Wrestling

I’m a long time watcher. I found it on Wrestlemania weekend in 2017 where I saw some DVDs. I wasn’t smartened up to independent companies like EVOLVE and PROGRESS at the time. Then I became a fan of new wrestlers to me and saw old matches of girls and guys I was already a fan of at the beginning of their journeys. Now I’m a huge fan of the current roster, especially the likes of Man Like Dereiss.

What are your thoughts on Simon Miller and his reign?

Simon Miller has had an interesting journey. From being a YouTube personality to becoming a pro wrestler and now a prominent champion in PROGRESS. I respect him. I look at our scramble match as equal parts advantage and disadvantage. The advantage is I can pin anyone. The disadvantage is that I have four people trying to beat me up and that’s not fun.

What would it mean to you to become PROGRESS Proteus Champion?

It will be surreal. To win and represent a championship in a company I respect so much. Any first title I get there are always going to be haters because I’m a Hollywood guy, but I’ve been paying my dues and bleeding over canvases all over the States for two years. I’ve been putting in the hours with my trainer Paul London whilst making appearances in DEFY and MLW and I feel ready. The onus is on me to represent PROGRESS well if I win. I’ll be taking the title to premieres, putting on quality matches and making interesting challenges to put the title and the company in the spotlight.

If you continue with PROGRESS how excited would you be to wrestle in the iconic Electric Ballroom?

I’m so excited at the thought of leaving my mark in the Electric Ballroom. There have been so many classic matches in that venue. To wrestle there would be special. I don’t know how I would be received in that room – if they see me as an outsider – but I hope they see me as someone who can do them and PROGRESS Wrestling proud.

What are you last words for your opponents on Las Vegas?

. Adam Priest, Charles Crowley, EFFY and Simon Miller… do not underestimate me. Vegas is somewhere your luck can change very quickly and I truly hope I can hit the jackpot.