WWE star Tyler Bate on following Pete Dunne to America, facing Walter at NXT UK Takeover: Cardiff and ‘wrestling computer’ Kassius Ohno
TYLER BATE has no intentions of following Pete Dunne over to the States just yet – he is fully-focused on restoring respect to NXT UK. The 22-year-old superstar made history in January 2017 when he was crowned WWE’s first-ever UK Champion. Ten months later he would lose to belt to close friend Pete Dunne – […]
TYLER BATE has no intentions of following Pete Dunne over to the States just yet – he is fully-focused on restoring respect to NXT UK.
The 22-year-old superstar made history in January 2017 when he was crowned WWE’s first-ever UK Champion.
Ten months later he would lose to belt to close friend Pete Dunne – who went on to hold it until NXT Takeover: New York in April when he was defeated by Walter.
Dunne, one of the founding members of the NXT UK roster, has recently transferred over to the US brand of the Triple H-ran wrestling product.
Many expected Bate, widely-regarded as one of the best wrestlers on the planet, to be closely following him – but he is adamant there are no plans in the pipeline yet.
Speaking exclusively to Sun Sport, the Dudley-born grappler said: “Pete seems to be enjoying himself and it’s something new for him to experience in his career. He’s enjoying it.
“As far as I’m aware there are no plans for me to be going anywhere any time soon. I’m quite enjoying my time here in NXT UK and my goal is to keep things fresh and interesting.
“I like to try new things and go to new places and if I can do that in NXT UK then I’m fine staying here – but there’ nothing planned as far as I’m aware for me to go anywhere soon.”
The NXT UK brand has enjoyed a memorable first year since its launch, with the undoubted highlight the inaugural Takeover in Blackpool back in January.
Bate and his fellow UK stars will have another chance to demonstrate their talents across the world again on Saturday 31 August at NXT Takeover: Cardiff – a night where the Moustache Mountain star gets a shot to challenge champ Walter for the big one.
“We have been trying to make NXT UK the best show it can be and we don’t want to have to ask people to watch it – we want them to feel like they have to and can’t miss a show,” he said.
“So people are constantly trying to outdo each other and grab that brass thing. It keeps everyone on their toes.”
With two separate NXT brands either side of the pond, it’s only natural for WWE fans to make comparisons between the two.
And that has even led to many speculating what would happen if the two rosters went toe-to-toe in an extra special Takeover event.
“That sounds really interesting to me,” admitted Bate.
“I’d be super up for that. It sounds like it would be a hell of a show for the fans to watch. You never know.”
As with Dunne’s switch Stateside, superstars have been known to compete on both brands.
And Bate was delighted to see the experienced “wrestling computer” Kassius Ohno makes his way over to the UK.
He said: “I’ve got to work with Kassius several times. When I was wrestling independently he was the first big test for me as a pro.
“He is an absolute genius and is like a professional wrestling computer. He knows the most wrestling out of anyone I’ve met ever.
“It’s great to get people like him over here and help teach and bring others up to his level.
“He’s been a brilliant addition to NXT UK and I’d have no problem if he came to challenge me if I win the title in Cardiff.”
That leads us to the big night next week.
Since claiming the crown from Dunne, Austrian Walter has aligned himself with Fabian Aichnerand, Marcel Barthel and Alexander Wolfe to form The Imperium.
The faction has caused chaos in the division, viciously attacking Bate and putting his tag-team partner Trent Seven out of action.
Bate has been outspoken about the disrespect Walter and his henchman have shown towards the NXT UK brand.
And he is determined to restore order and credibility against the odds in Wales.
“I’ve had a few highlights since joining WWE. The birth of the UK tournament and the genesis of NXT UK, winning the title, my match against Pete at NXT Chicago and then the Takeover in Blackpool.
“Now this one in Cardiff is another of those huge career milestones.
“I feel I’ve got a big responsibility, as the first champion and as you call it a flag bearer, and it feels really disrespectful to me for someone like Walter to just waltz in and take the title and disrespect everything we have fought to make it stand for.
“All I can do is try my very best. I’m a big believer in fate, and if it’s not supposed to be me that stops him, then I’m sure there’s somebody else down the line who could do it.
“I don’t really have any plans as far as Walter and his mates go, I tend to be very spontaneous, but if things do get out of hand and I can’t get it done alone then I trust Trent will be there to help me out.
“But I will be putting on the very best performance that I can.”
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Walter stands at 6ft 4in and weighs nearly 300lb compared to 5ft 7in and 175lb Bate.
But as sport has shown numerous times before, the bigger they are the harder they fall.
And Bate is confident that come the final bell in Cardiff it will be him who has the gold around his waist again.
He added: “Walter is a big lad and quite hard to move about.
“But I’m pretty sure I can get the job done. He’s a big lad… but I’m a big strong boi.”
Watch NXT UK Takeover: Cardiff live on the WWE Network from 7pm on Saturday 31 August.
