Former ATLAS Champion and Super Strong 16 finalist Ricky Knight Jr is wrestling KENTA at PROGRESS Wrestling Chapter 170: Wrestling Never Sleeps in a match where he will be attempting to become the first ever British DEFY World Champion. We sat down with him ahead of the match to discuss his career in PROGRESS Wrestling so far…
We haven’t spoken online in some time… let’s roll it back quickly. Congratulations on your impressive ATLAS Title run. Can you tell us about some of your most memorable moments during this championship reign?
It is the longest ATLAS Title reign ever, so for me it’s an honour to be able to have that record. I think the most memorable moment of it was actually winning the ATLAS Title. I had a broken arm at the time, it was my birthday and I was wrestling probably the best super heavyweight to come from these islands in Big Damo. That moment and match will always be very special to me.
Your ATLAS Title match against YOICHI in Philadelphia received an overwhelmingly positive reaction online. How proud of that match are you?
To be chosen to go over to America and represent PROGRESS Wrestling is an honour and to be able to do what me and YOICHI did was fantastic. We’ve had a great match here in the UK, a fantastic match in America and I hope one day we can take that match to Japan.
The ATLAS Title has had some incredible matches even after your reign… how important is that division to you?
The division will always be very special to me because that’s where I cemented myself and proved that belong here in PROGRESS Wrestling.
You had an impressive run in the Super Strong 16 tournament. What are your thoughts on your performance throughout the tournament and coming so close to winning?
SSS16 was a bucket listing. I’m so glad I had the chance to be involved in it. I feel I had a great run, working some fantastic wrestlers and then to top it off with the match me and Luke Jacobs had was the icing on the cake. It’s not done though, I’m gonna win Super Strong Style 16 next year and I’m gonna be PROGRESS Men’s World Champion.
After your match, Luke Jacobs went on to defeat Kid Lykos. What are your thoughts on his actions towards Kid Lykos and how he has been carrying himself as PROGRESS Men’s World Champion?
In regards to Luke Jacobs – he can do what he does, whether people agree with it or not. The way he carries himself as the champion or what he does to other people isn’t my concern. I’m sure later down the line, me and Luke Jacobs are gonna go at it again, but next time I can assure you that you’ll be hearing AND NEWWW.
Looking ahead to Chapter 170, you have an upcoming match with KENTA. How are you preparing for this challenge, and what can fans expect from this encounter?
One thing you can expect for sure with RKJ and KENTA is that this will be a brutal match. It will be hard hitting, it will be intense and it will be like the prime NOAH KENTA going at it with the mega hot Ricky Knight Jr.
What made you call him out for this huge match? Has he been on your hitlist for some time?
KENTA hasn’t been on my hit list, but he is stood there as the DEFY World Champion and there has never been a British born champion, so I want that history. I also want to give the fans the moment where they experience hearing my name announced as the new DEFY World champion in the Electric ballroom on August 26th.
Your last AEW All In Weekend saw you defeat Davey Boy Smith Jr, does that give you huge confidence going into this massive Championship match?
Yes, I defeated another great in Davey Boy Smith Jr, but what gives me the most confidence going into the ring with KENTA is that he’s never faced anyone like me before. He’s never faced someone that wants it as much as I do, someone who literally has wrestling in their DNA. Come August 26th if KENTA busts me open he will see professional wrestling bleed out of me. He will see how much I want to be remembered he will see how much I want be DEFY World Champion.
PROGRESS Wrestling tickets for all future shows including WRESTLING NEVER SLEEPS where RKJ challenges KENTA for the DEFY World Championship are available via the dice app.
You can see all RKJ’s ATLAS Championship defences, his SSS16 run and more in by subscribing to DEMAND PROGRESS PLUS. Watch wrestling online.
