Entertainment
IMPACT’s Speedball Mike Bailey wanted to emulate WWE star Kevin Owens in growth as a wrestler-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro
If the first few days of 2023 are anything to go by, the sky really is the limit for Speedball.
Speedball Mike Bailey is one of wrestling’s most exciting stars (Picture: IMPACT Wrestling)
IMPACT Wrestling star Speedball Mike Bailey has opened up on the influence WWE favourite Kevin Owens had on his growth as a performer.
The former X-Division Champion, who is competing tonight at Hard To Kill against Angels, Bhupinder Gujjar, KUSHIDA, Mike Jackson and Yuya Uemura, has reflected on the way the man formerly known as Kevin Steen was always ‘heads and shoulders’ above almost everyone else.
Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, Speedball – who uses he/they pronouns and is happy for the former to be used here – said: ‘Kevin Steens, now Owens, was a big part of my growth as a professional wrestler.
‘He was one of the many moments – I’ve had a lot – where I was like, “Wow, this person, their brain is way more equipped for professional wrestling than mine and I really need to step it up and figure out what they’re doing.” ‘
Bailey has been wrestling since childhood, fondly remembering grappling with his brother in their backyard until he was old enough to train, and by 2006 he was taking bookings full time.
‘I remember that year there was a promotion in Quebec City that brought in Christopher Daniels and then Steve Corino to wrestle Kevin Steen specifically because he was heads and shoulders above nearly everyone else,’ he said.
Speedball looked up to Kevin Owens earlier in their respective careers (Picture: WWE)
‘That was the first time there had really been a connection made between Quebec and the rest of the world in terms of professional wrestling.’
One thing Owens didn’t do was win the Battle of Los Angeles in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, which is something Bailey achieved in last weekend in a huge weekend for PWG.
‘Man, so objectively this is how I know I should feel, right. I know I should feel honoured, it should be unbelievable – but this is how it’s always been for me,’ he admitted with a smile.
‘I’ve never been one to get choked up or tear up or get emotional after a big victory. It’s not a surprise, it never is, and not in pro wrestling for different reasons. but even back in martial arts, when I would win big tournaments I would always be like… “Yeah.” ‘
Speedball added: ‘I worked for this. I looked to this moment and worked towards it for eight years. This is not a surprise. This should happen!’
That dedication and passion goes back a long way for Bailey, who admitted he was enamoured by IMPACT, formerly known as TNA Wrestling, and its X-Division, which he’s now a face off.
‘Finding my way to the early X-Division with AJ Styles and Amazing Red and Low-Ki, that’s also when I was a bit older and starting to seriously consider being a professional wrestler in terms of it being more than just a dream,’ he said.
‘I’ve kept that all through my wrestling career and I think that shows in how I wrestle… Without knowing it, I had been getting adapted to the X-Division style for my entire career.’
It’s clear that Speedball is inspired by wrestling anyone and everyone all over the world, and he’s glad IMPACT fosters that kind of environment, with his own X-Division Title run mirrored with Josh Alexander’s ongoing IMPACT World Championship reign.
‘It’s not the same story that repeats itself with the same kind of opponents that leads to the same kind of match. There’s been a great diversity in terms of who we wrestled,’ he explained.
‘That’s how you get better as a professional wrestler – expanding your skillset rather than just doing the same thing over and over.’
Of course, wrestling has its highs and lows, and that was the case for Speedball, who found himself unable to enter the United States for five years after trying to get into the country without a completed visa.
Speedball is defining this generation of the X-Division (Picture: IMPACT Wrestling)
Bailey recalled his early days in the business, not getting paid for the first five years as he balanced wrestling bookings with martial arts training, night shifts at a ‘normal job’ and studying at university.
So, when things have to go differently it’s not like, “Well I’m done now,”‘ he said of how that shaped his mentality.
‘I’m blessed enough to be able to travel doing this thing that I love, that I literally just gave everything I had to keep doing. I didn’t think about quitting.’
Another source of support for Bailey is his partner Veda Scott, who is a fellow wrestler and commentator, which provides a vital foundation for their marriage.
‘To me it’s everything. I don’t know how I would do it without my partner,’ Speedball smiled. ‘Support is an integral part of any relationship. A complete understanding, and I feel I can always go to Veda, not only for support but also for knowledge.’
Bailey made his debut for IMPACT Wrestling one year ago at Hard To Kill, and he loves the freedom his agreement with the company gives him as he looks to grow alongside the company itself
‘I’m very fortunate that I’m in IMPACT but I still get to travel and wrestle all the best wrestlers int eh world, be it in or out of IMPACT. But right now, I feel that IMPACT has a lot of momentum right now, it’s heading in a great direction,’ he said.
‘There’s a lot of diversity within the roster but there’s also a great sense of community and everyone is working towards a common goal, and I truly, truly believe in that.’
IMPACT Wrestling: Hard To Kill airs tonight (January 13) at 1am on Fite TV.
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