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Walking out in front of a packed crowd filled with thousands of screaming fans at London’s 02 arena is just another day for Welsh WWE Superstars, Morgan 'Flash' Webster and Mike 'Wild Boar' Hitchman.

As Flash enters the ring in his familiar Mod style jacket and trousers, the crowd welcomes the fan favourite with a deafening roar.

There's an air of confidence as he stands on the top rope under the spotlight, though it’s a world away from his humble beginnings wrestling in back gardens around Blaenau Gwent.

(Image: WWE)

Born in the small town of Brynmawr, the 30 year old says his wrestling career began as a teenager when he and best friend, fellow WWE superstar Mike 'Wild Boar’ Hitchman, were looking for a way to entertain themselves in an underprivileged area.

The pair who met in school, bonded over a love for wrestling at a young age, and set about finding a way to do it for themselves. Their path would eventually lead them to one of the biggest sports entertainment shows on earth, the WWE. The wrestling company has produced megastars such as The Rock, John Cena, and the Undertaker.

“There was definitely a lack of funding in our area, so growing up we had to make our own entertainment. In that sense it probably worked out as a positive for myself and Mike,” said Webster.

“For us, trying to find somewhere to wrestle at 15 was almost impossible without driving to the other side of the country. So we thought, if we can’t get to the wrestling, we’ll bring the wrestling to us. We were inspired to go out and build our own rings and start doing our own thing.”

(Image: WalesOnline)

The pair, along with a wider group of friends, set about starting their own wrestling shows, constructing makeshift rings in a form of back yard wrestling know as yarding. For years they took part in matches held in back gardens, fields, and other various spaces around the borough, though they weren't always met with such a warm welcome at venues as they are today.

"We got a mixed reception at the beginning. There were some people who were happy we were doing something we enjoyed, and others who didn't quite understand it. That translated to school as well. When your a child something that's different can be quite scary, and I think thats what we were. We were different and doing something unusual that others weren't.

"I don't hold it against anyone for making fun of it, they could have said whatever they wanted but we enjoyed it so we continued to do it."

As well as touring all over the world the pair also have a regular slot on the WWE'S, NXT UK roster. But, despite their success, both men still speak fondly of the times they spent building hand made rings from whatever they could find.

“We’d use anything we could get our hands on, going to local garages for tyres and local carpet places to get underlay. There was always someone trying to get rid of something, and they would almost bite our hands off to take it. Looking back they were is some of the best days of my life, giving us a passion and work ethic that really helped us when we transitioned to the pros.”

It was the same work ethic that eventually paid off when both Flash and Mike signed to the world’s biggest wrestling organisation in 2018, the WWE.

(Image: WWE)

“They threw us straight in at the deep end. We signed our contracts on Monday then on the Tuesday I made my WWE debut, walking out in front 10,000 people at the 02 arena in London. I just remember looking around at the fans and thinking to myself, this is where I belong. It was absolutely crazy.

"The best part about it was being there in the WWE, and seeing Mike Hitchman who’s been with me since I was 14, stood next to me. There was also Mark Andrews who I met on my first day in pro training. Not only was I working for the WWE but I was doing it with all my friends around me.

"If I wasn’t doing this I might be a teacher now. About three years ago I qualified and had to make a choice between a very stable full time living, or taking a shot at wrestling to see if something could happen.”

(Image: WWE)

(Image: WWE)

Mike Hitchman hopes theirs is a story that can inspire others across Blaenau Gwent to follow their dreams.

"People are always so surprised to hear what we do for a living, as they don't think its possible," said the 29 year old from Blaina. "I hope kids see the Welsh wrestlers in the WWE and know that we're from this small town. I hope they realise if they actually want something they don't have to settle for what might be expected of them, but no matter what the dream is, if they work hard they can go out and get it."

Joined by other Welsh stars such as Cardiff born Mark Andrews and female wrestler Tegan Knox, the group are now at the head of a booming wrestling contingent from south Wales that is getting bigger by the day.

Watch Flash Morgan Webster in action here

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And what does the future hold for Welsh wrestlers hoping to take on the best the business has to offer? With five athletes currently signed to the WWE, Flash believes the sky is the limit for all involved.

"Right now me and Mark Andrews are teaming up for the south Wales subculture and we’ve got our eyes on the NXT UK tag team championship. In the whole history of the business there has never been a Welsh wrestler to hold gold in the WWE, so hopefully we can pull that off.”