In our latest interview, we caught up with teenage sensation, Millie McKenzie.
Firstly, could you give us a background on yourself away from wrestling?
Hello, my names Millie, I'm 17 years old and from Coventry.
I'm currently at sixth form studying for my A-levels so I can later go on to achieve a degree at university.
Could you tell us the story of how you became interested in professional wrestling and who were some of your favourite wrestlers at that time?
So it was around Christmas time 2014, and I'd loved wrestling for a couple of years now, but I didn't think it was possible to train in the U.K.
But I started researching and found Phoenix Wrestling School which wasn't too far from me. So with a month of persuasion, my mum finally took me down and I've loved it ever since. My favourite wrestlers at this point were CM punk and Dean Ambrose.
What inspired you to become a wrestler? Was there a particular match or moment or a combination of both?
Well when I started training I wasn't sure on my goals with wrestling. I went to WWE live shortly after I started training, and I was a mega Dean Ambrose fan. I made a fan sign for him and he gave me his shirt, and it was legitimately the highlight of my life at that point. That moment meant so much to me, I wondered if I could create that moment for someone else.
How old were you when you started training and where did you first start to learn the ropes?
So I started training when I was 14 at PWA in Coventry. Can't thank them enough for the help they gave me when I was first starting out.
However now I train at Fight Club: PRO with Travis Banks and Martin Zaki. I honestly think it's the best place to train in the UK. If you'd like to come along message the Fight Club: PRO page for details.
How did your friends and family react when you told them of your decision to start training to wrestle?
Well my friends thought it was cool, but they didn't really have any idea what wrestling was. My mum thought I was just going through a phase and that I'd stop training after a month. As I got more into it though I think both my parents realised that I was going to stick at it. Now my parents love it and come and watch most shows I'm on!
What aspects do you enjoy the most in training and is there anything which you're not overly keen on?
I enjoy having matches at training when we are given certain scenarios. For example this week we had to have a match, involving only one strike and no bumps. I enjoy things like that as they make you think outside the box. I enjoy it all really, but sometimes Travis makes us do this drill at the end of training which kills all of us every time. He makes us do 10 burpees, then 9,8,7.... and when we get down to 1, he makes us do 10 again. At the start of training this would be okay; however at the end of a session it's so tiring.
How long did it take for you to debut in the ring after your first training session and what are your memories of your first ever match
So I had my first training session in January 2015, then I debuted on 17th of October later that year.
It was for PWA, in Leamington Spa. I wrestled TJ Sky, can't thank him enough for looking after me in this match. I remember most of it still, I was so happy at the time with how it went.
What's the best piece of advice you've received so far?
I've received so much in ring advice, but I'd say the most valuable piece of advice would be just to stay safe and have fun. I got into wrestling because I loved it. My aim is to continue doing what I'm doing and have fun along the way.
You wrestled Kay Lee Ray earlier this year for Fight Club: PRO in a match where you received high praise from fans and wrestlers on social media. What was that experience like and how much of a confidence boost did it give you knowing you could hang in the ring with one of the best wrestlers in the world?
I was so nervous leading up to this match, I didn't want to let anyone at fight club, or my family down. I was worried that the crowd wouldn't like me, so coming away from the match and hearing nice things being said was great.
Kay lee is incredibly talented and I hope to be in the ring with her again some time soon.
Recently you competed at the Chikara King of Trio's weekend where you teamed with Kyle Fletcher and Omari. When did you find out about being chosen for that tournament and what was the overall experience like for you and your team?
After training one night we got pulled aside and informed that we had been selected to represent fight club. Representing Fight club was such an honour.
It was so fun wrestling for Chikara too, plus I got to do it with my friends which is always going to be fun
Who would you say has had the biggest impact on you both in life and in wrestling?
I'd definitely say Martin Zaki, Travis Banks and Pete Dunne. They all have helped me out and taught me so much at training. Can't thank them enough for everything they have done for me.
What are your long term and short term career goals?
I would love to wrestle anywhere abroad; as I love to travel and meet new people. One of my big goals is to just continue to have fun and see what exciting new opportunities arise.
Lastly, where can fans expect to see you in action in the coming weeks?
Fight Club: Pro - Wolverhampton on the 22nd and 23rd
Full Force Wrestling in Warwickshire on the 30th.
I'd like to thank Millie for her time with this interview.
You can follow Millie on Twitter @MillieMcKenzie0 and Instagram @millie15_
Questions asked by Darren Dyer
Firstly, could you give us a background on yourself away from wrestling?
Hello, my names Millie, I'm 17 years old and from Coventry.
I'm currently at sixth form studying for my A-levels so I can later go on to achieve a degree at university.
Could you tell us the story of how you became interested in professional wrestling and who were some of your favourite wrestlers at that time?
So it was around Christmas time 2014, and I'd loved wrestling for a couple of years now, but I didn't think it was possible to train in the U.K.
But I started researching and found Phoenix Wrestling School which wasn't too far from me. So with a month of persuasion, my mum finally took me down and I've loved it ever since. My favourite wrestlers at this point were CM punk and Dean Ambrose.
What inspired you to become a wrestler? Was there a particular match or moment or a combination of both?
Well when I started training I wasn't sure on my goals with wrestling. I went to WWE live shortly after I started training, and I was a mega Dean Ambrose fan. I made a fan sign for him and he gave me his shirt, and it was legitimately the highlight of my life at that point. That moment meant so much to me, I wondered if I could create that moment for someone else.
How old were you when you started training and where did you first start to learn the ropes?
So I started training when I was 14 at PWA in Coventry. Can't thank them enough for the help they gave me when I was first starting out.
However now I train at Fight Club: PRO with Travis Banks and Martin Zaki. I honestly think it's the best place to train in the UK. If you'd like to come along message the Fight Club: PRO page for details.
How did your friends and family react when you told them of your decision to start training to wrestle?
Well my friends thought it was cool, but they didn't really have any idea what wrestling was. My mum thought I was just going through a phase and that I'd stop training after a month. As I got more into it though I think both my parents realised that I was going to stick at it. Now my parents love it and come and watch most shows I'm on!
What aspects do you enjoy the most in training and is there anything which you're not overly keen on?
I enjoy having matches at training when we are given certain scenarios. For example this week we had to have a match, involving only one strike and no bumps. I enjoy things like that as they make you think outside the box. I enjoy it all really, but sometimes Travis makes us do this drill at the end of training which kills all of us every time. He makes us do 10 burpees, then 9,8,7.... and when we get down to 1, he makes us do 10 again. At the start of training this would be okay; however at the end of a session it's so tiring.
How long did it take for you to debut in the ring after your first training session and what are your memories of your first ever match
So I had my first training session in January 2015, then I debuted on 17th of October later that year.
It was for PWA, in Leamington Spa. I wrestled TJ Sky, can't thank him enough for looking after me in this match. I remember most of it still, I was so happy at the time with how it went.
What's the best piece of advice you've received so far?
I've received so much in ring advice, but I'd say the most valuable piece of advice would be just to stay safe and have fun. I got into wrestling because I loved it. My aim is to continue doing what I'm doing and have fun along the way.
You wrestled Kay Lee Ray earlier this year for Fight Club: PRO in a match where you received high praise from fans and wrestlers on social media. What was that experience like and how much of a confidence boost did it give you knowing you could hang in the ring with one of the best wrestlers in the world?
I was so nervous leading up to this match, I didn't want to let anyone at fight club, or my family down. I was worried that the crowd wouldn't like me, so coming away from the match and hearing nice things being said was great.
Kay lee is incredibly talented and I hope to be in the ring with her again some time soon.
Recently you competed at the Chikara King of Trio's weekend where you teamed with Kyle Fletcher and Omari. When did you find out about being chosen for that tournament and what was the overall experience like for you and your team?
After training one night we got pulled aside and informed that we had been selected to represent fight club. Representing Fight club was such an honour.
It was so fun wrestling for Chikara too, plus I got to do it with my friends which is always going to be fun
Who would you say has had the biggest impact on you both in life and in wrestling?
I'd definitely say Martin Zaki, Travis Banks and Pete Dunne. They all have helped me out and taught me so much at training. Can't thank them enough for everything they have done for me.
What are your long term and short term career goals?
I would love to wrestle anywhere abroad; as I love to travel and meet new people. One of my big goals is to just continue to have fun and see what exciting new opportunities arise.
Lastly, where can fans expect to see you in action in the coming weeks?
Fight Club: Pro - Wolverhampton on the 22nd and 23rd
Full Force Wrestling in Warwickshire on the 30th.
I'd like to thank Millie for her time with this interview.
You can follow Millie on Twitter @MillieMcKenzie0 and Instagram @millie15_
Questions asked by Darren Dyer