At Chapter 169: The Devil On My Shoulder, Tate Mayfairs yet again managed to pull the wool over Eddie Dennis‘ eyes and attack him from behind. This has set up the match at Chapter 170 on Monday, August 26th between the two. You can read our interview with Eddie here, but before you do that here is the side of the story according to Tate…

Tate, this saga truly started with your interference in Eddie Dennis’s match costing him a shot at the PROGRESS Men’s World Championship. What was your motivation behind that decision?

My motivation was obvious. I had Eddie Dennis beat, he manipulated the ref into not stopping the match to give himself the extra time to get into my head and steal the victory from me – in a tournament that I was destined to win. He used a handful of tights when he was supposed to be my friend, so obviously I didn’t let that slide.

At Chapter 169, Eddie Dennis seemed to be getting through to you with his words before you attacked him. What was going through your mind at that moment?

I’ll admit that it was nice for once to be stood in a PROGRESS Wrestling ring and actually hear nice things about me for once. Eddie telling the truth about me and the people giving me what I deserve – cheers and adulation. But what I quickly realised was that Eddie was being insincere and just trying to manipulate me once again.

You’ve maintained that you only care about yourself in this business. Do you feel that attitude has benefited your career, or has it come with challenges?

I completely disagree. I care about loads of people. I cared about Eddie Dennis, that’s why I had that moment of hesitation at Super Strong Style in my match against him and didn’t knock him out with a second knee. I’ve given more than anyone else in this business. There are many things I take for myself sure, but I do what I can for everyone else because I am a beacon of inspiration for the world.

How do you plan to approach your match against Eddie Dennis at Chapter 170, knowing his experience and know-how?

Eddie Dennis’ career is one of the best in British wrestling history. His success is obvious. The places he’s been, the Championships he’s had, the opponents he’s faced, the longevity. However, he’s an older dog in this fight. I know better than anyone his history with injuries and know better than anyone his body’s limitations right now. He said it himself… I’m the one that drove him to the hospital and helped him through his recovery. I spoke to his wife about the nature of his injuries. I think its obvious what my game plan is in beating Eddie Dennis.

The crowd at Chapter 169 were clearly won over by Eddie’s words and reacted positively to you for the first time. How did that feel in the moment?

It was very confusing and emotional for me. It felt like a fever dream. It’s something I’ve been praying for and dreaming of for years. My only thing is that I know that Eddie knows how much it meant to me and then it clicked – it was a façade, a manipulation tactic.

If you could change anything about the way things have unfolded between you and Eddie Dennis, would you? 

I would change the fact that we met in Super Strong 16. We would never have faced each other with such high stakes. It shouldn’t have come to this. Maybe he should just retire from wrestling all together – because being in the ring with me and knowing what I know about his failing body, I couldn’t just end his career but ruin his life physically forever.

Care to divulge further as to why you maintain Eddie Dennis is manipulating you?

What a stupid question. He gassed me up with all of these compliments and then said he doesn’t want to fight me, he wants to fight with me. Why? Because he knows he’s safer by my side. Then he said he wants to be FSU 2.0. A re-hash of his former glory years with Mark Andrews. Then he said we could go out to Party Hard together – his entrance music. Then he had me do his signature dance in the ring. It’s all about him. All about his career and using me as a stepping stone, leaving me to carry his weight around. I’m not a fool like you and the rest of the PROGRESS fans who can’t see that.

Lastly, What do you see a potential win over Eddie meaning for you going forward in PROGRESS Wrestling?

Redemption. Absolute redemption. The SSS16 match should have been thrown out and classed as a KO just like it was against KC Navarro in the first round. Finally I’ll get the win over Eddie and then go on to get a PROGRESS Men’s World Championship shot. I’ve beaten former champions and won championships all over the UK and Europe – and yet I haven’t been given one opportunity. So its obvious I win this match and set my sights on my main goal all along.

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