In a recent interview, Eddie Dennis shared his thoughts on his intense match against Tate Mayfairs at PROGRESS Wrestling Chapter 170, where he emerged victorious in a two-out-of-three falls contest. Despite learning about the match stipulation at the last minute, Eddie adapted quickly, demonstrating his experience and resilience in the ring.
He reflected on the unexpected twists and turns of the match, including Tate’s clever ploy to fake an injury, and how it impacted his strategy and mindset. Eddie also opened up about his feelings after securing the win with his signature Neck Stop Driver and the emotional exchange with Tate that followed.
Looking ahead, Eddie discussed his ambitions to challenge for the PROGRESS Men’s World Championship and his views on the current state of British wrestling, expressing both his respect for his peers and his excitement for the future of the industry. Read below!
Eddie, congratulations on your victory against Tate Mayfairs at PROGRESS Wrestling Chapter 170! The match had a unique stipulation of being decided by two falls to one. Did this stipulation affect your game plan – especially finding out the change so late?
I found out about the stipulation at the exact same time the Ballroom did, when Rufus announced it! At this stage in my career, I don’t really game plan, especially going in there against a guy I know as well as I know Tate. Common sense would prevail that a stipulation like 2/3 falls favours the younger, and lighter competitor, so I figured I needed to start fast, or risk running out of gas out there.
During the match, Tate Mayfairs faked an injury that appeared to catch you off guard. Looking back, do you feel a bit foolish for falling for his trick, or do you think it was a clever ploy on Tate’s part that anyone might have fallen for? Did that change your mentality mid match?
Hindsight being 20/20 of course I feel a little silly but in the moment, I was just concerned for my friend. I’ve been in there and got injured enough times to know that ‘working through it’ can be really damaging to long term recovery times so I’ll never regret making the decision to stop fighting and make sure my friend was ok.
Tate Mayfairs’ plan to knock you out, resulting in a disqualification in the second fall, was certainly a unique strategy. What are your thoughts on his plan?
I wouldn’t call it a plan; I’d call it an insurance policy. I think Tate wanted to beat me straight up, when he couldn’t get going up front, he resorted to faking an injury, and ultimately, that probably won him the first fall. But, after reeling from the Neck Stop Driver, he realised that he could sacrifice a fall, and still come out on top. It was desperate, it was cheap, but it almost worked.
The third fall saw you secure the victory with your signature move, the Neck Stop Driver. Can you take us through that moment and describe what it felt like to get the win after such a hard-fought battle and hear the huge reaction it got from the PROGRESS fans?
Mainly relief! My knee was killing me, my jaw kept clicking when I moved it, so I was glad the war was over. The win was kind of tinged in sadness though. I still want Tate to excel in PROGRESS. He’s still a close friend and I know how much this industry means to him. I had hoped that my victory at Strong Style would’ve taught him something, but I guess I was wrong. Maybe this time, I’ve finally gotten through to him.
After the match, there seemed to be an emotional exchange between you and Tate Mayfairs. Can you share what was said during that moment? Was there a sense of respect or understanding that emerged after the match despite the underhandedness?
I have never not had the upmost respect for Tate, and I know he would say the same about me. As for what I said, some things are meant to exist between the people who share them only, and those words are one of those things.
At the end of the night, you came out to face PROGRESS Men’s World Champion Luke Jacobs, along with three others. How do you see yourself positioned among the other contenders?
Well, I got out there first, so as far as I’m concerned, I’ve got next! KENTA, Leon, Dereiss and me, we all won big matches on Monday, but here’s how I see it. We don’t know when we’ll see KENTA again, so he’s out. And Leon and Dereiss, they’re both still in their 20’s! They’ve got another decade plus to challenge for that belt. Right now, I feel like I can compete with the absolute best in PROGRESS Wrestling, but I might not feel that way in a years’ time. For me, it’s kinda now or never.
We spoke a while ago after SSS16 about Luke’s actions to you as he stood over you and spat on you after he beat you – albeit with help from Tate Mayfairs. Has that still not been forgotten?
Have you ever been spat on by another man?! What do you think? I’ve been here longer than any other main roster member, except for maybe Robbo. I’ve held the PROGRESS Championship before, but my run got cut short due to injury. I haven’t forgotten about the disrespect Luke showed me, but it’s the Championship that keeps me awake at night.
Lastly, a broader question, as someone who has been around this scene more than most, how excited are you by the current state of PROGRESS Wrestling and its current crop of stars?
It’s not about the state of PROGRESS in my eyes. It’s the state of the British Wrestling Scene in general. The entire scene is loaded with unbelievably talented people, many of whom are south of 25. The Ballroom was sold out on Monday, for the first time in a long time. I remember the days when it would sell out on the day of release. I remember the excitement in the room in those days and these last few I remember the excitement in the room back in those days and these last few shows have felt very reminiscent.
PROGRESS Wrestling tickets are available for all future shows via the dice app, including this September’s event HISTORY IS WRITTEN BY THE VICTORS featuring Eddie Dennis. See you on Sunday, September 22nd!
You can see all of Eddie Dennis’ matches in PROGRESS Wrestling, including his run in this year’s Super Strong Style 16 tournament by subscribing to DEMAND PROGRESS PLUS.
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