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We're just days away from Insane Championship Wrestling's Fear & Loathing XII, and the weekend-long extravaganza promises to be chaotic in all the best possible ways.
One man who'll be playing a monumental part in ICW's stacked two-day event is Andy Wild - who is no stranger to the ICW faithful, but the Dad Bodseems to be completely rejuvenated and a man on a mission, as proven in his recent matches against ICW World Heavyweight Champion Stevie Boy and Iestyn Rees!
Well, we caught up with the FPWA head coach to chat all about what we can expect to see from the Dad Bod God at Fear & Loathing, as well as the importance of mental health awareness and just how important it was for Andy to open his own wrestling academy.
There's only one place we can start, Andy. To say you have a busy weekend coming up would be an understatement. At ICW Fear & Loathing XII, you're one of a select few talents who'll be competing on BOTH nights, and I believe you're actually going to be kicking off the full event with a VIP Early Entry exclusive match on night one.
You're teaming with More Than Hype to take on the enigmatic Power Forward and Mark Coffey . What can fans expect to see from that match - aside from absolute chaos?
Yes, I’m very proud to be trusted enough by ICW management to not only open Night 1 of the biggest weekend in the European Wrestling calendar but to perform over both nights.
Like you say – Power Forward VS The Hyped Up Wildboys is going to be chaos. Myself and Coffey don’t like each other, end of. Between that and six younger lads trying to make their mark on ICW, this will be a war!
NEXT: Andy Wild vs Mark Coffey: 2 out of 3 Falls
COMING UP: Andy's dream opponent
One man who will share the ring with you on both nights is one half of the current WWE NXT UK Tag Team Champions - Mark Coffey.
You're scheduled to take on Mark in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match. He's obviously a high calibre opponent and you're both veterans of the game. How different will that match be to the tag team match on night one?
The only way I can describe it is – You’ve seen a big fight with loads of people in a pub before, right? Hands flying everywhere, tables flipped, glass getting smashed, etc.
Well, that’s the tag match.
Now, you’ll also have seen a fight between two big lads, by themselves, outside a pub before? No bulls***, just two people that have a problem with each other sorting it out!
Well that’s what the 2 out of 3 Falls Match will be - putting this all to rest one way or another.
I may be speaking completely out of place here, so apologies if you don't share the same opinion - but I feel like we've been seeing a new and improved Andy Wild recently!
While you haven't necessarily been picking up victories, the Fight Club match with ICW World Heavyweight Champion Stevie Boy was absolutely mind-blowing!
Then, of course, your clash with Iestyn Rees at France 2000 was great to watch too, despite the result not going your way.
Is that "change" something you're conscious of and, if so, what's changed?
I think you hit the nail on the head!
When I got the call from ICW management to tell me I was getting the opportunity to fight the Heavyweight Champion, it was like something changed inside me. I’ve known for a long time now that I’m ready, that I’m a main event talent, and this chance at Stevie sealed that in my mind.
I didn’t win the match but I feel I proved a point! I want to be ICW Heavyweight Champion and I decided after Fight Club that’s my goal.
You’re also the head coach at FPWA! Congratulations on that for a start, but what can FPWA offer to aspiring wrestlers, and why is this venture important to you?
Thanks. Myself and my partner, Hannah, decided to open our training school to give potential students in Fife and the surrounding areas a safe and clean environment to learn to become a professional wrestler in.
I'm very passionate about professional wrestling and helping young people achieve their dreams, I saw what the guys at GPWA were doing and wanted students in Fife to have the same opportunities. The rest is history.
NEXT: Andy's dream opponent
I want to switch gears a bit for one question and talk about something you're a big advocate of - mental health awareness.
This year has clearly been a very difficult one for the wrestling community, and I think just everyone in general - as it seems like there's a growing pandemic with regards to suicide and mental health issues, and even the taboo when it comes to talking about it.
Andy's Man Club has been, I think, a shining beacon of light in a pretty dark place. Why do you think things like Andy's Man Club are so important?
I think that organisations like Andy’s Man Club are crucial in the fight against the stigma of having mental health problems.
It’s so important to get the message out there that it’s okay to talk about the way you're feeling and not to let it get to the stage where you are considering ending your own life.
I recently set up a FB support page with a friend of mine, Lee Gillies, called MAD lads, focusing on giving men a platform to help each other by sharing their experiences with mental health and ways they have learned to deal with problems they are having. It’s been a great success.
Back to Fear & Loathing, you're competing in two matches, but let's put those to one side. You're not allowed to answer this question with either of them so, aside from your own, which match are you most excited for at this year's Fear & Loathing?
Stevie Boy vs Joe Coffey. This will be a sellout at the backstage monitor.
And now let's look forward. Fear & Loathing XIII. You can choose anyone in the world.
Who would be Andy Wild's dream opponent?
Whoever is holding the ICW Heavyweight Championship.
Thank you to Andy Wild for speaking with us. You can follow Andy here.
Tickets for ICW Fear & Loathing XII are available here, or you can catch it via ICW On Demand here.
You can also find out more about FPWA here, MAD lads here and Andy's Man Club here.
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