Zack Gibson and his tag team partner, James Drake want to win the championships this Saturday when they take on FSU in Liverpool.
Gibson and Drake are competing in the Burning Heart Pro Wrestling event in the Olympia this weekend.
Gibson was born in Liverpool and said that he is looking forward to competing in the city.
He said: “Any opportunity to back in the city is something I still jump at, so I’m always looking at excuses to jump back on home turf.
“One of the matches I’ve been the most excited for of my whole career is coming up this weekend, being just 10 minutes from my old house; that’s what makes it so special.”
The 34-year-old has travelled all around the world in the last 18 months.
He has competed in America, Asia, and across Europe, but he said there is no better place to be than Liverpool.
“I might be a bit biased, but I’ve been to all these other places, and Liverpool is still my favourite city.”
Gibson’s love for professional wrestling started at a young age, but it sparked from outside the ring.
“The thing that got me into it weirdly was Power Rangers.
“I was a huge Power Rangers fan, and when that wasn’t as cool anymore, people at my school started watching wrestling, and they told me about it, and it sounded exactly like Power Rangers.”
Tag Team Adventure
Gibson forms one half of a tag team alongside James Drake, called the Grizzled Young Veterans.
Drake is from Blackpool, and they worked together closely during the early years of their careers.
They would train together and travel together, which built their relationship.
Gibson said: “He is quite literally more of a brother than a friend as we have grown up in this job together, and we are both driven by the same things so that makes this a lot easier.”
The tag team have a unique attire which they wear to the ring every time they compete.
They are dressed in jerseys with matching scarves over their shoulders, and Gibson said this is done for his other passion.
He said: “The inspiration is from the best football club in the world. I’m a big Liverpool guy.
“This was something I was doing in the UK anyway, but I like to authentically be who I am and represent where I’m from, and it just naturally came through.”
Gibson has shown his love for the city through the ways he showcases himself in the ring.
He has two finishers. One is named ‘The Shankly Gates’, paying homage to the former Liverpool manager.
His other is named after one of the Beatles singles, ‘Ticket to Ride’.
Making Hometown History
The current Deadlock Pro Tag Team Champions are looking to add more gold with a win in Liverpool.
Standing in their way are the Burning Heart Pro Tag champions, Mark Andrews and Eddie Dennis, the FSU.
Gibson knows what stands in front of him, but he’s ready for the challenge.
He said: “They are two of the biggest talents in the world, and collectively, they make up one of the most exciting tag teams.
“We are well aware we are going into a big match; there is a lot of pressure on.
“We have told the world we are going to win all the big matches, so we have to deliver now, and we plan on leaving with two sets of titles.”
Gibson has waited for this moment for his whole career to have the opportunity to compete in his city to win titles.
However, a challenge has been issued to the Grizzled Young Veterans.
Danny Hope challenged them for the Manchester event the day after.
The have accepted the challenge and will face ‘The Models’.
The matches against the FSU and The Models will take place this weekend.
