img_2592Welcome to Starter For 10. We ask professional wrestlers 10 questions so that you can find out a bit more about your favourite real life superheroes.

On this edition, Luke Matthews answers our questions.

What drew you into professional wrestling?

I’ve always been aware of wrestling growing up, being a 90s child it was near impossible to not know who Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage were. But I didn’t actually become interested in following wrestling until the height of the attitude era when a friend showed me a photo of Kane. Because he looked so different from my own perception of what a wrestler looks like, my interest was immediately piqued and the next thing I know I’m religiously following Raw and Smackdown every Friday and Saturday. I was totally hooked!

Who were your favourite wrestlers growing up and who are your favourites now?

As I mentioned earlier, Kane was the one who single handedly made me even remotely look at wrestling, so I absolutely loved anything involving him from his story with Tori and X-Pac to his run with The Undertaker. My favourites now range from Aleister Black, Asuka, Mikey Whiplash and Mark Haskins.

What made you decide to start training to be a wrestler and where did you start?

I started training at the Source Wrestling School in 2014 after finally deciding to get myself out of a rut I found myself in. A friend had trained there previously and suggested I tried it. It took me five months to take her up on that, but I honestly couldn’t see myself not being there now.

Who are your biggest influences in professional wrestling, as a fan and as a wrestler?

I have always had an interest in striking and martial arts so I naturally gravitate towards wrestlers like Aleister Black, who I followed a lot before he signed with WWE as well as attending many of his seminars. Mikey Whiplash is another who I always loved to watch as a fan and especially now as a wrestler. You just never stop learning from him.

Who has been your favourite opponent(s) and do you have a favourite match?

Over the years I have been lucky to work with so many talented wrestlers, ranging from Jackie Polo, Chris Renfrew, David Devlin and Craig Anthony. But Kieran Kelly has always brought me up a gear or two and always pushes me to my absolute limit in every capacity. I have had many amazing matches that I am immensely proud of, but the one that helped put me on the map was a four way with Kieran, Scott McManus (a severely underrated guy), and Mike Bailey. That match pushed me like no other and I regard that performance as my own personal bar for the standard I try to perform at.

What has been your career highlight(s) so far?

I have been lucky to be involved in some incredible shows. I’ve been on the same card as British Strong Style in the past. I’ve appeared in front of a sold out Motherwell Concert Hall. Being involved in the Source Wrestling Championship tournament is also a huge highlight. Being a part of something so important to Source’s history was an honour and a privilege for a promotion I owe so much to.

Who would be your dream opponent, past or present?

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Aleister Black. His style and mannerisms in the ring are hugely influential to me so he would be my own dream opponent.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

As long as my body allows me to, I will be wrestling. Whatever level that will be at will be down to myself. I got into this later than I should have, and I don’t want to leave wrestling with any hint of regret.

Where can we find you on social media?

I have a Facebook page under my name (Luke Matthews), and I have a Twitter (Luke_Matt_Wres) and Instagram (luke_matt_wres).

Like and follows always appreciated!

And finally, why do you do what you do?

I do what I do because for so long I’ve enjoyed cheering the hero, booing the villain, laughing at the hysterical moments wrestling can throw up as well as feeling for the emotional ones. To be able to act out moments that draw reactions and emotions from live crowds is a feeling like no other. The aches, the sores, the pressures that come with the territory of being a professional wrestler is a privilege and I am honoured to be a part of this world. And as long as I’m in it, my heart also will be.

Thank you to Luke for answering our questions.

 

 

Photo credit Marion McGinn