WWE Cruiserweight Classic: Brit Zack Sabre Jr set to bridge to the big time after taking the indie scene by storm
TOP British wrestler Zack Sabre Jr reckons his encyclopedic knowledge of holds and reversals, will twist opponents into bone-snapping submissions in the blink of an eye.
And the 28-year-old bets he’s got just he right moves to help him win.
Kent-born Zack is known as a technical wizard and has arguably the best wrestling skills in world.
He said: “I’m a little bit crafty. My approach is almost chess-like.
“I put a lot of thought into everything I do and some stuff I like to make up as I go along to see what works best.”
The Cruiserweight Classic – which premiered last week and continues weekly on the WWE Network – started with 32 of the world’s best wrestling talent under 205lbs, including a mix of high-flyers, mat technicians and precision-perfect strikers.
And while some fans were concerned the company would water down their talents by making them work a broader ‘WWE style’, Zack reckons they’ve got total creative freedom on the in-ring action.
He added: “WWE has been phenomenal. We’ve been picked for our individual styles and now we’ve got a very open environment to showcase ourselves, but within WWE’s very high-tech and professional machine.
“We’ve had a huge array of people to get advice from. Being a big televised show, this is obviously a huge change to wrestling just for live audiences in independents or in Japan.”
Zack certainly knows a thing or two about the live crowds on the indie scene.
Beginning his career in 2005, he’s spent the years since building a reputation as Britain’s top wrestling talent, competing for promotions such as Insane Championship Wrestling, PROGRESS, and Triple X.
He has also wrestled extensively in Japan and the United States – and is the current World Champion for US promotion Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.
Fans worldwide has connected with his obvious passion and studious approach to the “art” of wrestling. His style recalls such old school British stars as Johnny Saint, Steve Grey and even William Regal.
Saber Jr said: “I genuinely can’t remember time I wasn’t absorbed by wrestling. I was always mesmerised by the intricacies of technical wrestling and submissions, so I try make the smaller things interesting by turning introvert moments into extrovert moments.
“If I can get the crowd to react with a big ‘Ohhhh’ just by bending someone’s wrist or arm, then I take great pride from that.
“I don’t want there to be any part of my match where fans are wondering what’s happening next, or what I’m setting up for. I want every aspect to be mesmerising. I try to do that by focusing on things that other wrestlers might not.”
As much an escape artist a grappler, Zack’s technical proficiency speaks for itself.
He’s also a skilled striker, booting opponents like Cristiano Ronaldo with his ‘penalty kick’ as part of his signature repertoire.
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Combined with his technical wizardry, it could lead him to overall victory in the CWC tournament.
He declared: “I’ve got a few tricks – there are some crafty roll-up pins that involve me rolling back onto my head. And a lot of arm contorting.
“I’ve taken a lot of influence from a British wrestler called Jim Breaks. His finishing move was a ‘Breaks Special’, which was a very painful arm lock. I’ve paid tribute by adding a bit of that and hopefully giving it my own spin.”
Along with other CWC competitors such as Kota Ibushi, Noam Darr, TJ Perkins, and Lince Dorado, Zack is wrestling a style rarely seen in WWE rings these days.
And with WWE staging its qualifying matches in indie promotions around the globe – including the UK’s PROGRESS, where Zack defeated Flash Morgan Webster to qualify – the CWC is a company first.
According to Zack, it also marks a significant step forward for professional wrestling as a whole.
He said: “The fact that this concept has even been approached is a sign of progression. And not only is it happening, but it’s no a half-a**ed thing. So much effort has gone in to making this event unique and different.
“When fans see the set up and WWE’s approach, they’ll see it’s going to have a completely different feel. It’s got a kind of sports vibe to it”
Once tipped as a hot new thing for NXT, Zack could be destined for WWE full-time regardless of whether he wins the tournament. But his goals are clear.
He added: “I just want to be the best wrestler that I can possibly be. That’s my own personal drive. I’ll keep pushing forward.”
When asked if he could have one dream match with someone on the WWE roster, he doesn’t hesitate to give perfect opponent. After learning the ropes back in the mid-2000s with a certain Demon from NXT, there’s only one answer: “Finn Bálor.
“The journey from training in that sweaty English gym together, to wrestling each other on the big stage in WWE would be very special.”
WATCH the Cruiserweight Classic on the WWE Network