Flip Gordon has been one of the fastest rising stars on the independent wrestling circuit this year, and will be appearing in the UK this month as part of a Ring of Honor tour.
The high-flyer caught up with Metro Sport to talk all things wrestling, including whether hell be appearing at All In.
More: Cricket
What have been your highlights from the year so far?
Oh my gosh, there has been so many highlights from my PWG debut, tagging with Rey Mysterio, wrestling Cody at the Hammerstein Ballroom, that was absolutely nuts.
Tagging with The Young Bucks in the crazy ladder match at Supercard of Honor, my New-Japan debut, King Of The Indies, and then just recently my opportunity for the NWA title. This year has been full of highlights!
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How is life in Ring of Honor? Are you looking forward to the UK tour?
Ring of Honor has been great, Im having so much fun. Im very excited because Ive just resigned exclusively with them. I love wrestling in England, last year I got lucky and wrestled over there quite a few times.
This is going to be my first time over there this year, which is going to be great.
Are there any British wrestlers youre a particularly big fan of?
Marty Scurll, Martin Stone, Nick Aldis. All three Ive been lucky to share the ring with, and Johnny Kidd is another one of my favourites.
Do you have to adjust your style depending on where you wrestle?
The styles are definitely different, but I dont really adjust my own style too much. I learn stuff from every style, but I dont tweak mine because when I go somewhere they want Flip Gordon, or at least thats the way I feel.
Im there to learn, and I want to take from every style.
How do you react to the criticism that your style is too high paced?
When you first start out in wrestling, nobody knows who you are, so you have to go and create buzz. I did the crazy flips to get noticed at first, but eventually yes, you have to start toning it down and thats when you start learning how to use psychology, where to use flips so that they mean more.
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I definitely know that you have to use your brain, because in the ring, safety is first, and you have to take care of who youre in the ring with.
I think my style fits in great at the moment, but Ive got a long way to go before Im a fully well rounded wrestler. Ive been lucky to travel a lot where Ive learned a lot quick, but Ive got so much to learn still.
Whats the biggest misconception about being an independent wrestler?
The biggest misconception is that you cant make a good living, which is completely false. There are many guys that have done so. Ive been very lucky that Ive just fully furnished and moved into a new apartment because of wrestling. You can definitely do it, you just need to work your ass off.
WWEs Cruiserweight show 205 Live seems a natural fit for you. Do you watch it, and would you consider working there in the future?
Ive heard 205 Live is doing great, Ive never seen it, but Im excited for them because it gives the boys another place to work and have a job.
I dont have any interest in working there though, Im happy with Ring of Honor and Ill be with them for quite some time.
Finally, are you booked for All In yet?
I am still not booked for All In after losing to Nick Aldis. I dont know what Im going to do, Ive got a couple of ideas. Me, Brandi and The Bucks are brainstorming and were going to figure it out. Its a blast working with them, and its always nice to have a second or third pair of ears to run ideas by. Theyre so creative and so supportive.
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More: wrestling
Ring of Honor are appearing in the following locations this week:
Thursday Aug 16: Edinburgh
Saturday Aug 18: Doncaster
Sunday Aug 19: London
Tickets available through http://ROHWrestling.com
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Flip Gordon has been one of the fastest rising stars on the independent wrestling circuit this year, and will be appearing in the UK this month as part of a Ring of Honor tour.
The high-flyer caught up with Metro Sport to talk all things wrestling, including whether hell be appearing at All In.
More: Cricket
What have been your highlights from the year so far?
Oh my gosh, there has been so many highlights from my PWG debut, tagging with Rey Mysterio, wrestling Cody at the Hammerstein Ballroom, that was absolutely nuts.
Tagging with The Young Bucks in the crazy ladder match at Supercard of Honor, my New-Japan debut, King Of The Indies, and then just recently my opportunity for the NWA title. This year has been full of highlights!
Advertisement Advertisement
How is life in Ring of Honor? Are you looking forward to the UK tour?
Ring of Honor has been great, Im having so much fun. Im very excited because Ive just resigned exclusively with them. I love wrestling in England, last year I got lucky and wrestled over there quite a few times.
This is going to be my first time over there this year, which is going to be great.
Are there any British wrestlers youre a particularly big fan of?
Marty Scurll, Martin Stone, Nick Aldis. All three Ive been lucky to share the ring with, and Johnny Kidd is another one of my favourites.
Do you have to adjust your style depending on where you wrestle?
The styles are definitely different, but I dont really adjust my own style too much. I learn stuff from every style, but I dont tweak mine because when I go somewhere they want Flip Gordon, or at least thats the way I feel.
Im there to learn, and I want to take from every style.
How do you react to the criticism that your style is too high paced?
When you first start out in wrestling, nobody knows who you are, so you have to go and create buzz. I did the crazy flips to get noticed at first, but eventually yes, you have to start toning it down and thats when you start learning how to use psychology, where to use flips so that they mean more.
Advertisement Advertisement
I definitely know that you have to use your brain, because in the ring, safety is first, and you have to take care of who youre in the ring with.
I think my style fits in great at the moment, but Ive got a long way to go before Im a fully well rounded wrestler. Ive been lucky to travel a lot where Ive learned a lot quick, but Ive got so much to learn still.
Whats the biggest misconception about being an independent wrestler?
The biggest misconception is that you cant make a good living, which is completely false. There are many guys that have done so. Ive been very lucky that Ive just fully furnished and moved into a new apartment because of wrestling. You can definitely do it, you just need to work your ass off.
WWEs Cruiserweight show 205 Live seems a natural fit for you. Do you watch it, and would you consider working there in the future?
Ive heard 205 Live is doing great, Ive never seen it, but Im excited for them because it gives the boys another place to work and have a job.
I dont have any interest in working there though, Im happy with Ring of Honor and Ill be with them for quite some time.
Finally, are you booked for All In yet?
I am still not booked for All In after losing to Nick Aldis. I dont know what Im going to do, Ive got a couple of ideas. Me, Brandi and The Bucks are brainstorming and were going to figure it out. Its a blast working with them, and its always nice to have a second or third pair of ears to run ideas by. Theyre so creative and so supportive.
Advertisement
More: wrestling
Ring of Honor are appearing in the following locations this week:
Thursday Aug 16: Edinburgh
Saturday Aug 18: Doncaster
Sunday Aug 19: London
Tickets available through http://ROHWrestling.com
Advertisement Advertisement
