Fifteen years in the past, Kyle Fletcher traded within the rugby league boots for a profession within the squared ring.
Now, the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) TNT Champion is making ready for one of many greatest nights of his life – competing in his hometown of Sydney, Australia.
A gifted sportsman rising up within the Northern Seashores of New South Wales, Fletcher was at all times centered on his dream of being an expert wrestler and has gone on to turn into probably the most recognisable names within the sport.
“Having the ability to come again to Brisbane final yr was among the best nights of my complete life,” Fletcher informed foxsports.com.au forward of AEW Grand Slam on Saturday night.
“Travelling the world and pursuing a dream and with the ability to come again with AEW, an organization that I really like, is probably the most superior feeling on this planet.
“Having the ability to do it this yr in actually the world that I noticed professional wrestling in for the primary time and town that I grew up in, I’ve little doubt it’s going to blast final yr out of the water.
“It’s going to be the perfect day of my life by far.”
Skilled by the Professional Wrestling Australia (PWA) Academy and Australian wrestling icons Madison and Robbie Eagles, Fletcher is among the many Australians making a reputation for themselves abroad alongside WWE stars Grayson Waller, Bronson Reed and Rhea Ripley.
Now, he hopes to encourage and affect extra Australians to make a reputation for themselves within the sport exterior of their house nation within the coming years.
“Completely, it’s a kind of issues that’s so vital to me coming from Australia,” Fletcher mentioned when questioned about whether or not he might see extra Australian wrestlers going over to america or Japan.
“After I began, there was simply no one who had made it to that high degree earlier than. So for any child in Australia who had a dream of being an expert wrestler ,it simply appeared thus far out of attain.
“I hope that now having myself, Grayson, Rhea, Bronson and all these guys on the high degree, I actually simply hope we are able to open that pathway for extra individuals to do the identical.
“I do know from coaching right here, I do know from everybody I’ve met right here, how passionate and the way gifted everyone seems to be.
“Coming from Australia, everybody type of has that chip on their shoulder as a result of we’re at a detriment already. We’re so far-off from the remainder of the world and it appears like we’re on our personal little island, actually.
“One in all my greatest targets is to not solely be the best skilled wrestler of all time however to ensure different Australians know that the potential is there for them to comply with their desires as properly.”
Tickets for AEW Grand Slam are nonetheless out there by means of Ticketek.
Whereas Fletcher will defend the TNT Championships in a ladder match towards Mark Briscoe at AEW Grand Slam, the Aussie wrestler is concentrated on successful one other championship within the coming years – the AEW World Championship.
This belt is at the moment held by Maxwell Jacob Friedman (generally known as MJF), however might change fingers on Saturday night time in Sydney as he defends it towards Brody King.
“It will imply, no pun meant, the world as a result of I’ve actually pictured that second holding up that first world title ever since I fell in love with professional wrestling,” Fletcher mentioned.
“AEW is an organization that I really like with my complete coronary heart and to be on the high of the mountain would imply the world.
“It’s the prettiest belt on this planet and I feel it might look nice round my waist. I’ve no doubts that it’ll occur eventually.”