Zack Sabre Jr in depth: WWE Cruiserweight Classic star reveals permanent US move plans

Cruiserweight Classic ace Zack Sabre Jr - one of the most highly-acclaimed freelance stars in wrestling - has teased a permanent switch to WWE.

Asked whether he has any plans to move to the United States in the near future, the non-contracted Brit standout hinted at taking up residence in the same state as WWE’s NXT base.

Sabre Jr, who made his home in Japan during his time with promotion Pro Wresting NOAH, also implied PWG’s Southern California stomping ground could be a potential destination for him across the pond, telling talkSPORT: “I would very much like to live somewhere warm permanently [one day]. 

“LA and Florida are quite appealing.â€

The 29-year-old has received rave reviews throughout his 12 year career - and remained relatively injury-free. 

But Zack’s WWE spot seemed temporarily under threat after he sustained a 5 inch gash to his right forearm - narrowly avoiding tearing an artery - while appearing for wXw in Germany in June, just weeks before the first session of CWC matches. Unable to perform, Sabre Jr was forced to cancel upcoming dates for the first time.

Ironically, recently retired World of Sport legend Johnny Kidd highlighted to talkSPORT how Sabre Jr is one of the hardiest wrestlers he has ever known.

“That’s a huge compliment,†says Zack. 

“Johnny’s a genuine idol of mine, I cherish any time I’ve got to spend and train with him. Unfortunately, the last time I spent time and wrestled with him in December, he was complimenting me on how I’ve not had any injuries. But [my injury in June] was the first time I’ve ever had to take time off for wresting.â€

At the time, Zack was concerned the accident involving the jagged edge of a turnbuckle could foil his chances of taking part in the CWC. And although he can now joke drily about being benched, the Kent-born star was fortunate not to be more seriously hurt.

“I still stand by the fact I’ve never been injured of my own accord - the apparatus decided to turn on me,†he laughs. 

“The inanimate object took grievance against me.���

“But I was incredibly disappointed - I had to take a month off and it was a nerve-wracking time for me. My first match back was against Kurt Angle at York Hall [in London for Revolution Pro Wrestling]. 

“Then the following day I flew to America for the beginning of the Cruiserweight Classic tapings. In hindsight, I was relieved that I didn’t miss out but I was very disappointed to miss out on Super Strong Style 16 [for PROGRESS Wrestling] and CHIKARA in Birmingham, as well as having to pull out of my first PWG title defence.

“I was really sad to miss out on seeing so many of my friends at those places.â€

Recalling the mishap, he continues: “I remember thinking in the hospital how lucky I was to get my arm up because I was heading directly towards the turnbuckle. 

“Instantly, I was glad that I hadn’t thrown myself into it like a nutter and ended up tearing my shoulder out. But I’m very lucky - a decade-plus career and I’ve only cut my arm once.â€

ZSJ adds: “The most impressive thing about cutting my arm though is linked to me being a little bit OCD over cleanliness.

“I was wearing some really nice white amateur wrestling shoes underneath my shinguards. So there’s my arm squirting blood while I’m trying to come to terms with the fact I might be out of action for months and months - and could quite possibly have ruined my career. But I was really trying not to drip blood on my shoes. 

“I got a couple of spots on the white part of my shinguard, but not a drop on my lovely white Adidas amateur wrestling shoes. 

“The shinguards took a lot of cleaning, but that was a bit of a success in itself. I missed loads of important wrestling shows, but at least I didn’t stain my ring gear!â€

Having been rumoured to be WWE's top target for months last year before his involvement in the Cruiserweight Classic was confirmed, international favourite Zack is as impressed with the set up for the WWE Network tournament as the fans introduced to his silky but explosive ring style for the first time.

The unassuming virtuoso appreciates how the sports entertainment juggernaut has pushed its own working practices and creative boundaries to produce the series targeting wrestling's most committed viewer demographic - including the fans of leading indies PROGRESS, Revolution Pro, PWG, Evolve and wXw, all promotions for which Zack is a headline attraction.

"To be included in the tournament, [WWE] were obviously fans of the way I wrestled," Sabre Jr reflects.

"But to their full credit, it is a huge... 'gamble' is the wrong word... it is an open-minded, expressive way for a company that only utilises contracted talents to bring in lots of independent, freelance guys.

"I can hand on heart say they couldn't have been more encouraging to everyone to wrestle and portray themselves in the light they want to. There's been real free rein with that.

"I feel I've been able to wrestle exactly the way I enjoy doing so.

"As far as reception, I was blown away by the [Facebook Live] introduction. I knew they'd be a smattering of fans that would know who I was, but I got such a huge reaction during that introductory parade, I was blown away."

Unquestionably thrilled at the opportunity to perform on such a global platform, Zack has been inspired by the commitment lavished upon the project by WWE.

“I only have positive things to say about the experience and I’m really enjoying working at WWE’s production levels,†he says. 

“The way I wrestle is very much for a live crowd. But the experience of being part of such high levels of production and the staff at the Performance Center, I really feel like it is accentuating what I’m doing. Hopefully people will see more of who I am as a wrestler.â€

Zack continues: “Before the first tapings, we had a couple of days of prep and we all had to do lots of interviews, photos and press and the WWE team were very reassuring in letting us know they’d put so much time and effort into the whole show. It was heartening [WWE] really wanted it to have a sports feel and a unique identity. 

“They weren’t just doing it for the sake of it. I think they’ve spent years trying to get this idea off the ground and now they’re finally got it going, they weren’t going to half-arse it. 

“And when the Bracketology show aired, there was no doubt it was going to be given respect. To have someone like Daniel Bryan, who is clearly so passionate about wrestling and understands what we’re trying to do with that kind of approach, on commentary has really added a credible element to it. 

“It is still very much a wrestling show and WWE know to how produce television, but I think the way they’re approaching this has such a fresh feel, that is why it has resonated so well with fans.â€

Tipped from the outset as a likely finalist and top contender to win, Sabre Jr jokes no other participant has had to deal with the pressure of being expected to win a WWE showcase before even making their debut for the market leader.

"I do take it as a compliment, though," he laughs.

Asked to predict who he might face in the final - assuming he makes it that far - Sabre Jr admits he does hope a dream match that has been mooted before but hasn't yet happened could be realised.

"I guess it comes down the brackets," he says, having smashed his way past Tyson Dux and Drew Gulak to set up a quarter final clash with Scottish grappling maven Noam Dar.

"I believe that [Kota] Ibushi is on the other side of the tournament brackets. And as much as that potential match is the most heralded pick, it would be fate to some degree because we've been scheduled to wrestle each other so many times over the years in Germany and England. But it has just never happened.

"Part of me likes that a match that should have happened on the British indies could happen for the first time in a WWE ring."

Although a critically-acclaimed favourite, Sabre Jr remains even-handed about the dribble of social media carping he has come in for about his distinctive, technical style and rangy physique from muscleman fans.

Positioned as a 'technical wizard', he has cannily been likened to being wrestling's Harry Potter as an entry point for viewers who may not be aware of his ability or Englishness.

'Magician', however, seems to a more appropriate description for the mesmerising motion accentuated by his litheness - physical flow that frequently explodes into full pace and sees him invest every ounce of energy as he fires across the ring to land an uppercut or knee strike in the corner.

An infrequent Twitter user himself, he can handle the banter - and manoeuvres a reductive point into wider ideas about performance and expression. 

"I think it is kind of understandable bearing in mind what wrestling fans have come to expect," he says.

"I don't see that as an illogical point for fans to make - but that was only on the basis of one match.

"As I progress through the tournament, people will be less focused on that and more on the way that I wrestle.

"Also, concerning the way I wrestle - if you think of wrestling as a niche form of entertainment - the way that I deliberately wrestle is kind of a subgenre of that, really.â€

Sabre Jr does not preach, but it is clear his philosophical, eloquent but not staid strategy for the serious business of wrestling's front of curtain frivolities is consistent with his outlook when he's not weaving opponents' limbs and bodies into submission.

Partnering up with stars Adam Cole, Dave Mastiff, Kyle O'Relly, Gail Kim, Angélico and the man now known as Finn Balor to take a stake in sportswear clothing brand SPLX, the West Midlands-based firm has sold wrestling-related gear designed to “represent the sporting and athletic side of wrestling†to 38 countries across the world.

Unlike most typical outside ventures merely fronted by wrestlers, Team SPLX are involved in prominent business decisions taken about the venture set up by British ref Joel Allen, Cole, Mastiff and ZSJ in 2013.

Sabre Jr says: “When [Joel] decided to start a wrestling clothing brand, I was someone, and Dave [Mastiff] he knew from the scene. 

“Obviously wrestling is entertainment - and no doubt about it - but we felt, as did the boss Joel, that that was misrepresented. 

“When we started It had felt as if wrestling attire wasn’t what anyone quite had the confidence to be seen wearing. 

“We all wanted to create something to be proud of as wrestling fans and to wear as a badge of honour as wrestlers, as credible clothing. 

“Say if I'm wearing a SPLX jacket on a train for example, it doesn’t scream ‘wrestling’. That’s why the logo is Japanese script - we’re not hiding away from it, but it is quite subtle allusion.â€

Despite the plaudits, the man behind the name usually at the top of the bill throughout the British, European and US independent wrestling scenes manages to avoid believing the ballyhoo surrounding him and bringing him attention from new fans - an element perhaps often more crucial than in-ring excellence for most wrestlers. But again, ZSJ always stands out.

He says: "I couldn't love wrestling more but I make a very conscious effort to not be completely carried away by it because it is very self-indulgent. It's not like I have a wrestling character that's a million miles away from myself.

"Professional wrestling is make believe and extravagant entertainment - over the top. So if you take a concept like technical wrestling, which is really about getting the most out of very intricate details and aspects, understandably it isn't going to be for everyone immediately.

"But I have great confidence in the way I wrestle should appeal to everyone.

"It is like saying one of my favourite bands is Mogwai. I know countless people who'd be questioning where the vocals are.

"There is no right or wrong with wrestling, just because I receive some critical acclaim that doesn't mean fans can't dislike my style. A fan has every right to have an opinion.

"I think the problem now, in my opinion, through social media people are looked down on for having opinions. And if someone has a different opinion to me, they have every right to do so - I don't see that as anything they shouldn't have. Everything is almost a little too polite."

A glance though his Twitter follows meanwhile - none of which relate to wrestling - reveals a feed of accounts dominated by moderately obscure bands and musicians. Is it too broad or too much of a reach to suggest music informs and inspires how he performs?

"It definitely does," Sabre Jr asserts.

"I'm not someone that doesn't like pop music or mainstream music but the kind of artists and musicians and film directors that inspire me, and have really inspired me in equal parts to become an indy wrestler, their approach.... Well, going back to Mogwai - it has been twenty plus years and they've never compromised the way that they create.

"They've found a balance between being a successful band but also the artistry of what they do.

"I've got no desire to be a famous wrestler. I just want to be a very successful wrestler who gets to travel and have fulfilment that comes along with that. The music that I like does inspire me."

Names such as Ken Loach, Jeremy Corbyn, John Pilger and Youthmovies Soundtrack Strategies don’t often feature more prominently than the likes of Kendo Nagasaki, Baron Corbin, John Cena or Yokozuna as significant influences during conversations with wrestlers. More precisely, it never happens.

Then again, very few other wrestlers anywhere can nudge Sabre Jr's position leading the charge of erudite, cultivated but business-driven generation of British performers and promotions currently in vogue with fandoms throughout the wider wrestling world.

Not that the Zack wears his art on his sleeve, however. His confidence belies his modesty and perspective as a performer often hailed as the most impressive currently wringing arms and unleashing ferocious kicks in wrestling.

Drawing a comparison between non-populist cinema and wrestling in bringing together a community of fans that appreciate intricate detail in performance, there are also political imperatives in ZSJ’s work. 

He adds: "Someone like Ken Loach... fifty years on and still passionate! I know that wrestling doesn't really cover social commentary in the same way that music and film does but it provides escapism for fans.

"I believe professional wrestling should be working class entertainment at the root. As a kid that grew up in a house where there wasn't a huge amount of money, I was never alienated from wrestling."

Still, Sabre Jr acknowledges the whole wrestling process can be "very self-indulgent" - illustrating this with a chuckle over how he recently named one of his many submission holds after a 2004 release by former post-rock band Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies: 'Hurrah! Another Year, Surely This One Will Be Better Than the Last; The Inexorable March of Progress Will Lead Us All to Happiness.'

He admits he can't remember the entire title of the album himself, grinning: "It's just 'Hurrah', isn't it?"

ZSJ continues: "I got to the point where I've got quite a few holds that don't have particular names and I thought to myself I should probably name it. Being slightly against the grain, the stereotypical move names don't really fit my mindset. The name popped into my mind as it is one of my favourite records.

"One of the members saw it and thought it was great so that was all the acknowledgement I needed. I was chuffed they noticed it.

"That's purely for myself. To some degree, I'm going to start allowing myself pure self-indulgence.

"I'm quite happy the fans that fans refer to it as 'Hurrah' with the exclamation point, but I'm going to insist every commentator has to say the whole name. And if a few people discover a defunct Oxford, math rock instrumental band then all the better!

"I'm just disappointed they're defunct now because what better way because I quite like the idea of having a nine minute instrumental accompanying me to the ring.

"It could be the new 'Sandman' entrance for math rock kids and a very self-indulgent entrance for me that would make me very happy."

He smiles: "Maybe I can coax them into a one-off reunion? The wrestling community is obviously dying for it."

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