Luke Jacobs Talks Us Through Growing Up In Manchester And His Personal Journey In The UK Wrestling Scene

Progress Wrestling is a growing market in the UK. Built on passionate storytelling, raw talent and a strong connection with the fans ­– the sport is proving to be a huge success. Sat in the spotlight of this success is Luke Jacobs, the rising star of UK wrestling. The gritty, no-nonsense style 24-year-old has become one of the cornerstones of the ‘new era’ talent pool, bringing back and winning the Atlas Championship which he has defended against multiple strong contenders.

Away from wrestling, Luke is a born and bred Manchester lad and a die-hard Man City fan. So, as you can imagine, very used to seeing success in the last few years. We took the time to chat to the young star to explore his personal journey with football, wrestling and growing up in the heart of Manchester.

Let’s start with you as a kid, as a Man City fan, where did that all begin?

I had an awkward relationship with football when I was a kid, because everyone in my class at primary school was great at football and all played for the local kids team, I tried to fit in and play but I was just never very good at it and knew I’d never really be able to play like the other kids could so I gave up after a while. My dad and brother are Man United fans but growing up I never really had football pushed on me by them, I didn’t watch united or get taken to any games and I think that might be the reason I never felt any connection to United as a kid, but when I was 7 or 8 years old my step dad took me to my first city game which was a europa league match against Copenhagen, we won 2-1 and I just instantly fell in love with it all and city was my team from then on and it felt great to have a team I felt i could genuinely support and talk about with the football mad kids at school.

What does the club mean to you and your family?

For me, my mum, step dad, sister and my nephew, city is one of the few things that brings us together to actually sit in the living room and watch something together.

Can you talk us through some early memories of supporting city?

The 2010-11 fa cup was huge for me as a kid as it was the first time I’d got to see city in a major final, beating United in semis to get there as well. The 2011-12 premier league that next year also, beating United 6-1 and I’m sure I nearly cried out of pure excitement when aguero scored to win the title because It was just the best moment, especially for a lot of kids I can imagine and it’s everyone’s go to moment I’m sure but I can’t forget how it made me feel getting to see them win the league, one of them where you can’t wait to go to school and listen to the United kids moan about it. Also always enjoyed going to Mary Ds with my step dad before the games. Aguero and yaya toure were my favourite players.

At what point did wrestling come into your life? Was there a moment where it just lit a fuse for you?

Wrestling has been in my life for as long as I can remember. My older brother had “smackdown here comes the pain” on PlayStation 2 and that was my first exposure to wrestling when I was 3 years old and that was it from then on, it became the biggest thing in my life and that’s never changed.

It really was just a spur of the moment decision when I was 15, I didn’t ever think being a wrestler was a possibility, especially not in the uk but there just happen to be a wrestling school 10 minutes from my house, so I turned up, did my first session and was instantly obsessed, getting to be in a wrestling for the first time was the coolest feeling, all though finding out how hard wrestling rings are after growing up thinking they were like trampolines was a massive reality check.

What was it like, when so many people around you are talking about football and you decide to go down the wrestling route?

Nobody ever really understood it, I’d hear it all growing up, it’s fake, they don’t really hit each other, the blood isn’t real, the chairs aren’t actually metal blah blah as I’m sure it was the same for a lot of kids who loved wrestling.

Could you see similarities about things you loved about wrestling and things you love about football?

Pro wrestling is all about atmosphere, drama, supporting your favourite wrestler and being so invested in wanting to see them win and I think those are very similar emotions you can feel watching your football. 

Do you think there is a lot of crossover - like the thought of having a wrestling ring set up at the Etihad and put on a show once the football has finished - there’s something in that - could you see football fans taking to wrestling in the UK?

I’m not sure, Being honest I’d be on the fence about saying yes, because pro wrestling has a lot of stigma towards it, especially from fans of other sports, it’s a shame but that’s just the way it is these days, hopefully that’ll change in the coming years. I think anyone can enjoy pro wrestling given the chance they could be exposed to maybe a particular style or match that breaks the norm of what they perceive pro wrestling to be and actually get a lot of entertainment out of it. putting on a show in a stadium in the uk requires a big brand with a lot of star power.

Tell us about the journey - you’re a title holder now. You must have seen all sorts though…

I started wrestling when I was 15, since then I’ve wrestled in nine countries, performed in front of 4 people to 4000 people. I’ve met so many cool people, many of who became my closest friends, got to have a WWE tryout at 19, I’ve been to so many incredible places, had so many incredible experiences and it’s all through doing a job I love. It’s all about grafting, making a name for yourself, building a reputation and brand people can get behind and one that promoters want on their show, it’s going well so far as I’m the only person to ever be the top champion of the two biggest uk promotions at the same time and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given so far.

What’s the wrestling scene like in the UK? How would you describe it?

The uk scene has shows up and down the country with some of the most talented wrestlers you’ll ever see, it’s incredibly varied as you can see so many different acts, characters, styles of wrestling that people bring to shows and it’s full of hard working people who absolutely love the industry. The atmosphere in the uk is one of the best in the world and that is widely known, we have very vocal fans who have no issue shouting what they think of you, but that’s all part of the fun and atmosphere of independent wrestling.

What about supporters - do people tend to support wrestlers or is it all about the night?

Fans definitely support certain wrestlers, all fans have their favourite wrestlers who they follow and try to watch all their matches or shows they are on. Fans buying a wrestlers merch and wearing their shirts etc is a huge part of wrestling and fans supporting their favourites.

You’re in that ring on your own - like a footballer on a pitch although you’ve not got 10 other players around you. How do you relish that platform and that stage?

A lot of confidence and the ability to feel completely comfortable while performing, it’s as simple as that.

You’ve worn Man City shirts as you’ve entered the ring in the past, tell us about that - it shows that passion for City is still very strong…what does the club mean to you now? Has football almost come back into your life in this way?

Man City is a huge part of my life and my personality, especially for my character when I’m in the ring. I’m very passionate about the club, it seems I’m one of the very few wrestlers on the uk scene that supports city and I love wearing the jerseys when I walk to the ring, especially if the fans don’t like me, it’s always fun adding fuel to the fire, especially when I’m working down south. There’s not many wrestlers from Manchester that are in the position I’m in and I’m very grateful to be where I am on the independent scene and I’m incredibly proud of where I’m from, I love Manchester and that’s part of the reason I wear the jerseys.

Some classics in there too - do those shirts hold special memories for you?

I just absolutely love the style of retro jerseys, the 2000 home kit from the season I was born, being my favourite, a great gift from my step dad.

Flipping memories into aspirations, where do you think wrestling can go in the UK?

It can only grow, the scene is great with so many hard working wrestlers who just want to be the best they can be, as long as the fans keep turning up and the wrestlers keep giving it their all, the scene will only get better and better.

You’re seeing the world as you do this. A show in Vegas coming up - where do your dreams go?

I’ve got work in the states numerous times and it’s always a great experience and I feel very grateful every time I get to fly out there and wrestle, which wouldn’t be possible without PROGRESS wrestling who helped me obtain a work visa to perform in the United States. I don’t really have specific goals or dreams, but I have a desire to be the best wrestler I can be and make a good life for myself doing what I love, so where that might take me I don’t know, but things are looking good and I’m excited for the future.

Luke Jacobs will be defending his Progress Wrestling Championship this week in Las Vegas