We spoke to Tate Mayfairs after his big win over Simon Miller at the Chapter 161 to discuss that match, his future goals in 2024 for PROGRESS Wrestling and THAT encounter between Lee McAteer and Spike Trivet.
Congratulations on your win at UNBOXING. That was a side to you we have rarely seen in PROGRESS. Does it show how much you wanted to defeat Simon for a third time?
Three in a row – you can call me The Hattrick Hero! Fighting is a wild and unpredictable sport, the odds of beating someone three times in a row are so low; even when you’re as great as I am. I’ve warned you all from the get go that I’m a violent man – it’s natural to me. Violence turns me on. I’ve done things in my life that they don’t let you know about. I said as much when they interviewed me but they cut it all out of the video. I just happen to look beautiful, scrub up well and have impeccable style – people get fixated on that.
With Simon firmly in the past for you now, one last word on him. Were you surprised at what that match brought out of him?
Simon had more fight in him than ever before. I’m not gonna lie, he did surprise me and that is partially what led to me to go further than ever to ensure I won. I have so much genuine hatred for the man that I wanted to hurt him and make sure he NEVER comes back to me again.
I will say this…
As a fighter, I know what he’s going through right now, physically and mentally, and one of two things will happen.. either he quits the business forever and sticks to hosting YouTube shows OR he’s gonna swallow the THREE losses and come back as the best in-ring version of Simon Miller we’ve ever seen.
I’m so deep in his brain now he’ll never beat me and we’re definitely finished, but whoever he faces – if he faces anyone – they’re very unlucky losers hahaha.
If you include the W3L Hello PROGRESS event you are on a five match winning streak. Just how confident are you feeling at the moment?
You wanna talk about Win/Loss records in PROGRESS? Let’s talk about the fact in 2023 I only lost TWO singles matches; one against Leon Slater and one against Will Ospreay.
Ospreay said he’d fight me again… where’s the rematch? Leon too? Both are lil bitches running away to other companies because they know I’d smoke them now. I am the greatest and everyone knows it, even if they’re too insecure to say it out loud.
You have complained you have never had a shot at the PROGRESS title… well you have been added to the Thunderbastard match this month. How are you preparing for it?
Isn’t it kind of disgusting that after all I’ve done I STILL gotta compete in a multi-man number one contenders match? I’m preparing as if I’ve already won – because I am the rightful PROGRESS Men’s World Champion.
2024 is setting up to be a huge year for PROGRESS with big imports announced, the show in Philadelphia and SSS16 on the horizon. Do you have any major goals for the calendar year? Is there someone you really want to wrestle?
Honestly who gives a flying f*ck about an import?! The best wrestlers in the world are right here in the United Kingdom. Genuinely I’ll repeat that again THE ACTUAL BEST WRESTLERS IN THE WORLD LIVE IN GREAT BRITAIN. Not just in-ring but ticket sales and crowd reactions prove it – listen to the crowd , look at the draws! I just sold out the ballroom at Unboxing ALL BY MYSELF!
In 2024, I will defend the TNT Championship in North America, Europe, Middle East & Asia… I will also win the PROGRESS Wrestling World Championship and become your Undisputed World Champion!
In terms of opponents; I would like to have rematches against Speedball Mike Bailey, Will Ospreay, Jordan Oliver and Leon Slater. Regarding first time matchups: Charlie Sterling, Kid Lykos, Kid Lykos II, Bullit, Nick Wayne, KC Navarro, Matt Cardona & LA Park.
Lastly, what was your take on the backstage confrontation between Lee McAteer and Spike Trivet?
I get it, Lee is a melt , I’ve wanted to do the same. If he doesn’t face any repercussions, I’ll consider doing it myself and it’ll be far more violent, that’s for sure.
PROGRESS Wrestling tickets are available for all future shows via the dice app, including this January’s event featuring Grizzled Young Veterans, Mustafa Ali and of course, Tate Mayfairs in the ThunderBastard match!
You can see all of Tate Mayfairs matches in PROGRESS Wrestling by subscribing to DEMAND PROGRESS PLUS.
