How has being the Proteus Champion impacted your day-to-day life, both inside and outside of wrestling?

It’s been nuts! I think sometimes you forget the reach of Progress and so many people – from fellow wrestlers to fans – have gone out of their way to say very kind things. It already felt like the biggest achievement of my career but that almost increased it further. I’m not sure I was expecting that.

I’m certainly appreciative of it, though. Hard work has always been at the backbone of everything I do and this feels like one of those moments where you can take stock a little bit. That doesn’t last long, however. We said it right after the win. The real challenge starts now. Just bring it! Pretty sure no one has ever used that phrasing before so I will take it on…

You recently hosted another PROGRESS Wrestling show—how did it feel to step into that role again, and what were your thoughts on the event overall?

I loved it. While there may be another opportunity down the line to do it again, I saw that as a full circle moment where I got to say thank you to the fans in the same role that brought me into Progress. Now we move onto phase 2. Making this title everything it needs to be.

I will say it felt odd doing it with the Proteus title over my shoulder but I’m not sure my wrestling career has ever been ‘normal’ so let’s keep that going. Just ride the wave and enjoy it as much as possible.

I thought the event was incredible, too. The main event was a must-see match and everything else knocked it out the park. I can’t say I’m a fan of Moth Dog, officially the worst named faction in history, but at the same time you saw what they did in their match. They’re not pushovers.

Being back in Manchester, and with For the Love of Wrestling on the horizon, is there anyone in town that weekend on your dream list you’d like to defend the Proteus Championship against—if you’re still champion at that time?

The answer is always going to be everyone and anyone. I don’t get to choose any of this because we have indeed given power over to the fans, so they can let me know. If a wrestler is in and around the area – and alive, obviously – let’s do it. There’s no one I won’t face, no matter what.

Your unique rule as Proteus Champion allows fans to decide the stipulation for each match via social media polls. As the “People’s Proteus Champion,” how important was it for you to involve the fans in this way?

It’s everything. I say it all the time but without their support I’m not in Progress; I don’t get my Proteus Title shot. From the moment I walked out as the host back in January 2022 the Progress fans couldn’t have been more supportive so I owe them everything. If they had booed me out the place we are not here today.

Therefore, yeah. They choose the stipulations. They tell me what we should do and we can keep this going until the wheels fall off. We won it together. We shall lose it together. That’s the way I want it.

The fans recently chose a Four-Way Match in their first live poll. What are you expecting this Sunday when you step into the ring against the unpredictable trio of MothDog and the powerhouse Will Kroos?

I’m expecting to get my ass kicked! I’m pretty good at maths and I did the calculations. There’s only one of me and three of them. I don’t think that makes for good odds…

BUT! Gene, Moth and Will did decide to try and beat me up in Manchester. It wasn’t one of them pulling the strings and therefore we must deal with them as a unit, even more so because we asked the crowd and they think I can do it… so I better go and do it!

I’d rather go out doing what’s right than run away like a bald idiot. So if this is the shortest Proteus Title reign in history, I’ll deal with that on the other side.

I mean I’ll just cry a lot for a while and then go again. I’m not entirely sure but there must be an automatic rematch clause. Let me go and check…