'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Prior to signing with Ring of Honor this year, you mentioned that you'd previously wrestled for the company on their UK tours in 2016 and 2018. Now that you're signed, does it alleviate pressure or give you more freedom? How does it feel to be wrestling on Honor United as a full-fledgedOH wrestler?
You know, it's hard not to give a clichéd answer but I'm extremely excited - is the answer.
When I wasn't signed to the company, you never think you're going to jump straight into a World Television title shot, which is what I got again Silas Young and I really feel like I proved myself there but now, as a signed athlete, I'm looking at the history of that championship and it's myself as a Shane Taylor in London for the World Television Championship.
The thing that I love about Ring of Honor is anything can happen at any time, and like I say, on the tour in 2016, the World Television Championship was won by both Will Osprey and Marty Scurll, by two Brits on the British tour, and trust me, I am hoping to continue that tradition.
That is really what I've been working towards. When I first walked out in Ring of Honor, when I first came in, I had a T-shirt on, my merch says "World Champ" on it because I need to come in with that World Championship mentality, and it's in the title, it's a world title- the World Television title. This is really what I've been gearing towards and I really feel like this tour for me is going to be a huge benchmark and it's the culmination of a lot of hard work.
Like you say, when I wasn't satisfied with where I was in pro wrestling, it took a lot of balls to just go, you know what? I'm going to prove I am who I say I am, I'm going to start a brand-new sport in amateur wrestling, I'm going to be a two-time champion, Greco and Freestyle, and represent my country at the Commonwealth Games - so no one should write me off as an athlete just because I'm doing these crazy entrances and stuff like that.
You look at this tour and look at the quality of the match-ups that I've got on this tour - on the first night, it's myself vs Shane Taylor for the well, television title but not only that, I'm going to get a singles match with Matt Taven as well who has literally just lost the World Championship, one of the top guys in the company. Then I get to face Silas Young once again as well so those are three top-quality match-ups.
The reason need to come to this tour is because you're going to see not only the best professional wrestling in the world but if you're a fan of British wrestling, this is a company that is putting their money where their mouth is, they are investing in British talent, flying us over, doing what they need to do to get the best British talent and they are going to showcase that on this tour.
There's a lot of talk about British wrestling right now and the state it's in - this, that and the next thing - but Ring of Honor is putting its money where its mouth is and they are investing in it as well so you need to come down and support your British wrestlers.
NEXT: Does ROH mean a more serious Joe?
COMING UP: A new World Television Champion?
Do you love to play crosswords, Wordle or other exciting games? We'd like to connect with you. Fill the form here!
