Questions by Ciaran Brazington.

For those who don’t know you, introduce Jack Gallagher.

A young gentleman who sports a waxed moustache and cauliflower ears. Favours tweed, and has a healthy relationship with tea. Full time professional wrestler. Part time pugilist.

So what got you into wrestling, what was the attraction?

I suppose, as a child, it’s the big personalities. That’s usually the story you hear, isn’t it? The over-the-top nature of professional wrestling is the attention grabber. The live action comic book, as it’s been described.

I understand you were trained by Alex Shane, can you tell us what that was like?

Truth be told I can count on one hand the amount of times Alex Shane took training. He was supposedly the head trainer, but when I attended the FutureShock Wrestling school, training was supervised by “Dangerous” Damon Leigh and Dom Travis. The training was solid. It gave me a good appreciation of the basics and conditioning.After that I spent three to four years training in the Wigan SnakePit with Roy Wood. That was gruelling — in the best way possible, but it was. That was where I really began to put myself together. Both my fitness and my technique took huge leaps and I was given a new perspective on what hard work was.

You made your debut with FutureShock in 2006, what was it like making your debut?

I was terrible. No, genuinely awful. Everyone is when they start.

You’ve styled yourself very much like an old school wrestler, using lots of submissions and grappling. Have you drawn inspiration from anyone?

Billy Robinson, Volk Han, Alan Wood, Dynamite Kid, Mark Rocco, Steve Grey, Johnny Saint, etc. The usual suspects.

You’ve been in the business 10 years now, have you any fond memories/career highlights?

I’ve often found that you’re so involved in wrestling that you don’t understand how fantastic some of the in-ring situations you find yourself in are. Can’t see the forest for the trees, and all that. As a result I often find all my fondest memories involve some shenanigans happening before or after shows.If I was honestly to pick one, it’d be my time in Tokyo. I’ve been all around Europe and popped into America once before as well, but I still find myself often thinking of Japan.(Yes, I did karaoke. Yes, I am tone deaf. David Bowie’s Life on Mars, if you were wondering.)

Have you a favourite/Toughest opponent?

Zack Gibson.

WWE recently named you as a competitor for their Cruiserweight Tournament later this year, What did that feel like to be named and included?

Surreal. It’s still something I’m coming to terms with. In that there’s still a tournament and half the people are already celebrating as though they’re past the finish line. I’ll let you know my thoughts when this chapter of my adventure is over.

You’re qualifying match took place at Progress 29 on April 24, you defeated Pete Dunne. How did it feel to qualify fully?

As I said, marvellous in the moment. Then I stepped backstage I knew I had more work to do. There’s very little time to ever celebrate. If you’re lucky, you get a quick gin in before it’s time to move on.

The UK independent scene seems to be growing at a rapid rate, how does it feel to be working in the industry right now? It’s a rising tide and all the ships are raising. It’s a good time to be a wrestler in Britain right now. More people are approaching this professionally and it’s showing.

Do you think you have quickly established yourself and earned the respect of promoters and the fans in the UK and abroad, as mentioned you have now also qualified for WWE’s cruiserweight tournament. What else does Jack Gallagher want to achieve and where can you see your career taking you?

I’d say for starters that I definitely did not quickly establish myself. There’s been eight or nine years of work that most people haven’t seen. I’ve had the slowest meteoric rise in history.What’s next? WWE Global Cruiserweight Series. I plan to fight a few more times in MMA this year too. (Currently at 2-0.) Getting my black belt in Judo and begin competing. Maybe boxing. Maybe some submission wrestling tournaments. Just keeping busy. Busy is good. Oh and some new suits. I’ve not visited my tailor in some time.

Please leave any comments @Ciaran_HEEL & Please check out @KayfabeToday for further UK wrestling interview, reviews and articles.

To keep up to date with Jack Gallagher, follow him @GentlemanJackG