A Statement From Steve Sonic
When I decided to become a professional wrestler, I knew that I wanted to be more than just another face in the crowd. I wanted to standout, to offer something that most or no one else couldn’t, to make a name for myself. But most of all, I wanted to make a career out of wrestling, and to ultimately earn a living performing for the largest and greatest sports-entertainment organisation in the world, World Wrestling Entertainment.
Unfortunately, I had no idea how to achieve this. I was completely ignorant of the British Wrestling circuit, and the allure of achieving the kind of success that can only be found in the United States was over-whelming. What I had discovered was the name of a wrestling school in America that was largely responsible for providing the latest generation of professional wrestlers to the WWE, Ohio Valley Wrestling.
So I decided to take a chance, and in a set of extraordinary circumstances, I enrolled in the beginner’s class at the school. Over the year and a half I was there, I progressed to the point where I attracted the attention I was so desperate to achieve, but there was something missing. Something that I should’ve had, but in my ambition to succeed I had overlooked the most obvious of facts:
I wasn’t British.
By nationality I was British, of course. But my wrestling skills, although relatively good for the length of time I had been training, were no different to that of the American wrestlers that I trained with. So the decision was made that I should return to England, learn the British style of professional-wrestling and gain the experience of wrestling in front of a British audience.
But this wasn’t the first time that I had heard this opinion. Several highly experienced, highly skilled wrestlers that I had trained with and befriended at Ohio Valley Wrestling and had nothing but the utmost respect for, had also told me this. As much as I didn’t want to believe it, I could no longer dismiss this increasingly commonly held belief in my wrestling future. But I was still wary, I strongly felt that my future was in the United States, and wrestling in England felt like taking a step back instead of forwards.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Instead of treating my time in England as a holding phase for a return to America, I discovered and embraced a respect and passion for British Wrestling that I never imagined possible. I learned and studied the tradition and wrestling heritage of my country, back to Atholl Oakeley who won the British Heavyweight wrestling title back in 1930, and I can honestly say that true British wrestling is one of, if not, the most compelling styles of professional-wrestling in the world.
And more than just the wrestling, it allowed me to create and develop an acceptance with the British Wrestling public that I was someone to be taken seriously. Someone that wasn’t just out for themselves, but someone who wanted to represent their country and provide it a wrestler that they could invest their future hopes and ambitions in. But I never expected the welcome and fan-appreciation that has been shown to me since my arrival, and for that I will never be able to fully convey my deepest and sincerest thanks to the people that have supported me, both inside and outside the ring.
And that is the reason for me in writing this. On April 22nd, I learned that I had been awarded a developmental contract with WWE, and to report for training by early June.
I would never do anything to hurt this sport, or this company, that has been so very good to me. But this news means that I will be unable to fulfil my duty and responsibility as British Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. I’d like to think that, although the circumstances allowing me to challenge for, and win the heavyweight belt may have been a stroke of luck, I have had the honour and privilege of proving myself on two major title defences against both Drew McDonald and Robbie Brookside. But because I can no longer continue to defend the title, I must offer to relinquish the belt to the number one contender.
One man who has been instrumental to my development in England is James Mason. There are very few people who are as knowledgeable and capable of executing the British style of wrestling in this country, and each time I have stepped in the ring with him it has been impossible not to learn something new and he has always taken the time to give me advice. I may have been the champion, but James’s skills and abilities far outweigh my own, and I would consider it an honour to step down to him.
Alternatively, Drew Galloway is a future prospect for the title with tremendous potential. He’s a young, good-looking lad with a decent physique on him and an impressive set of skills. Expect to see great things from him in the future because I know he’ll go far.
And then there’s Robbie Brookside. He’s been my ally, and more recently my opponent. But one thing he will never be is my enemy. Robbie is probably the one man who has taught me more about British Wrestling then anyone else. His credentials and experience need no introductions from me, as any knowledgeable wrestling fan in this country will tell you that He is one of, if not, the most respected British grappler in the world today. Robbie has gone out of his way to help me both inside and outside the ring, and to achieve my goal in making it back to America. In short, I never could have made it without him.
One thing is for certain; the future of the British Heavyweight Championship is secure with these men. The only question is; which of them will reach it first?
Steve “Sonic” Lewington