{"id":8943,"date":"2018-04-24T18:30:01","date_gmt":"2018-04-24T18:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/?p=8943"},"modified":"2018-04-24T18:09:16","modified_gmt":"2018-04-24T18:09:16","slug":"the-interview-dirty-dick-riley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/2018\/04\/24\/the-interview-dirty-dick-riley\/","title":{"rendered":"The Interview, “Dirty’ Dick Riley"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ciaran James@<\/strong>TheCiaranJames\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

An Interview with Dick Riley@<\/strong>DickRileyPro<\/a><\/p>\n

For those who may not know you (<\/b>shockingly<\/i><\/b>) please introduce yourself?\u00a0<\/b>My name is Dick Riley. Professional wrestler from the South West, I\u2019ve been wrestling for 8 years now. My character is a fun, exciting\u00a0ladies’\u00a0man, in lack of a better term.\u00a0I wrestle a\u00a0high-flying\u00a0style, because that\u2019s the style I grew up idolising, from watching WCW cruiser-weights & a lot of ECW.<\/p>\n

You made your debut in\u00a0<\/b>2009,<\/b>\u00a0talk to us about the experience. How were you feeling before and after?\u00a0<\/b>It was for a holiday camp show in Burnam on Sea. I was bricking it, I think I only found out about one day before. Another lad at our training school got the nod, but he pulled out. I was wrestling our head trainer (Joel Redman<\/em>) so I was even more nervous. But it went decent enough for the level I was at, I definitely got the buzz for it afterwards.<\/p>\n

How did you take to the wrestling business, did you have any second thoughts early on?\u00a0<\/b>In my era of coming through, if you messed up in matches, you got battered for it. And there\u2019s definitely a few times you think about throwing in the towel. But I was really driven to make it, so\u00a0I never stopped. It definitely educates you to not make mistakes,\u00a0It\u00a0also used to be about socialising with the guys too. We would go for beers after shows, and that was just as important as being good at wrestling. But I\u2019m a social person. So that was easy for me.<\/p>\n

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The Man Himself, “Dirty” Dick Riley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What are your best memories from your first few years in the business?\u00a0<\/b>I worked at Thorpe Park for FWA for 3 days. We would just wrestle at allocated slots, the rest of the time we had fast track, so\u00a0we\u2019d jump the cue to the rides. Doing that with some of my best mates in wrestling was class.<\/p>\n

In November 2012 you formed ‘The Magnums’ with Filthy Chris Walker, how did the two of you come together and what inspired the gimmick?\u00a0<\/b>We were randomly booked on a Pro EVW Show, as heels (I\u2019d never worked heel before<\/em>). I was doing\u00a0Movmeber\u00a0and Chris had these horrid mutton chops, big slug style. I was like, let\u2019s be a couple of Joey Ryan\u2019s, and that was it. The name came from Magnum P. I.<\/p>\n

As\u00a0<\/b>The<\/b>\u00a0Magnums you wrestled all over the South West in many promotions, how did working as a tag team differ from singles competition, and is it something you\u2019d return to in the future?\u00a0<\/b>I love tag team wrestling, it allows\u00a0you be more inventive in different ways, easy for your body too. I\u2019m really enjoying my singles run\u00a0at the moment, I’m having some of the best matches I\u2019ve ever had. But never say never, we recently worked 5 Star wrestling as a tag, and that match was great fun.<\/p>\n

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The Magnums, Dick w\/ “Filthy” Chris Walker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In January 2017, you returned to singles competition (<\/b>in\u00a0<\/i><\/b>ProWrestling<\/i><\/b>\u00a0Chaos)<\/i><\/b>, why the change and do you think you will\u00a0<\/b>achieve<\/b>\u00a0more on your own?\u00a0<\/b>I was working singles in UPW for the whole time I was doing Magnums. I also was having a string of MOTN matches for Kamikaze Pro, in singles matches too during the tag period.\u00a0But Chris decided to take a break from wrestling, and the Chaos boys always wanted to use me as a singles competitor, so it all fell into place.\u00a0I\u2019ve known Nick, Dave & Rob (Owners of ProWrestlingChaos<\/em>)<\/strong>\u00a0 for years, they know I like to work that \u2018indy\u2019 style, so\u00a0it worked for everyone. I think it\u2019s worked so well for me, due to wrestling evolving, being more about wrestling. I\u2019ve been having\u00a0these kinds of matches\u00a0with Joel Redman for years, but we were doing them before our time. But now they give you success.<\/p>\n

You quickly gained success by capturing the UPW title, what was it like to represent the company and what are your best memories?\u00a0<\/b>Ahhh\u00a0I love UPW. They were the first real company to take a chance on me. As soon as they turned me face, I could show my flashy side. I was heel there (UPW<\/em>) for so long, as\u00a0a heel, I feel like I shouldn\u2019t be doing flashy things, I would have got over.\u00a0So soon as I switched, I could let the lid off.\u00a0I\u2019ve had some great matches there, and still am. It\u2019s a great place with a great vibe.<\/p>\n

Pro Wrestling Chaos also began pushing you and featuring you heavily at all events, did it feel like the company were behind you<\/b>? Yeah 100%. I think After I wrestled matches against Charlie Sterling & Speedball, the fans and Dave realised I was a good wrestler, and I just seemed to grow from show to show then.<\/p>\n

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Dick Riley vs “Speedball” Mike Bailey @ProWrestlingChaos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Over the last 18 months you’ve performed consistently at a very high level, do you feel as if you’ve improved in the ring and had to step up your game?\u00a0<\/b>Yes definitely. I often go down to DWA, where I learned to wrestle originally\u00a0and keep sharp, learn new moves and tricks.\u00a0I have like 3\/4 moves (like the Dick Dastardly<\/i>) I invented myself.\u00a0So\u00a0I would go down there and get them 100% right.<\/p>\n

Chaos had you face some of the most well-known and talented performers in the world, although you were defeated they were close fought contests. Who was the most challenging and what did you take from those matches?\u00a0<\/b>Every person I wrestle I learn something, even if it\u2019s a little.\u00a0Everybody\u00a0near enough works different, looks at things differently.\u00a0So,\u00a0when you wrestle an \u2018import\u2019, it\u2019s good to see how they perceive things. Speedball (Mike ‘”<\/i>SpeedBall<\/i>” Bailey<\/i>)\u00a0match was really challenging, and also one of my favourites ever. So fast paced, and\u00a0of course\u00a0the Osprey match, I learnt an\u00a0abundance\u00a0from that match.<\/p>\n

In all of your matches, you showed great versatility and skill, especially against Will\u00a0<\/b>Ospreay<\/b>. Do you desire to work overseas and where do you think your style fits?\u00a0<\/b>Man, I\u2019d love to work overseas, I believe I can work any style.\u00a0We were taught\u00a0chain\/Mat wrestling every session in training, it was a huge part of our training system.\u00a0My trainers were Joel Redman & UK Dominator, so\u00a0we got taught nearly every style of wrestling. Dom is heavy character and showmanship, Joel was intense mat wrestling.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Another thrilling contest against Pete Dunne @ProWrestlingChaos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Your match in January (2018) against Will\u00a0<\/b>Ospreay<\/b>\u00a0attracted lots of recognition, what did the match do for you?\u00a0<\/b>Taught me hell of a lot, It\u2019s the little things you almost don\u2019t think about, it opened my eyes more. It\u2019s up there with one of the best I\u2019ve ever had too.\u00a0It\u2019s nice to know you can go with someone who\u2019s on top of their game.<\/p>\n

You’ve also dipped in and out of ATTACK Pro, what has that experience been like and would you like to feature there more prominently?\u00a0<\/b>I love Attack! Great locker room, great fans, I really feel I fit in there.\u00a0They love wrestling there, great matches, and great characters. And that\u2019s what I love in wrestling.\u00a0I wrestled there last Sunday (08.04.2018<\/i>) in Walkabout Cardiff and tore the house down with El\u00a0Phantasmo, getting my first win there.\u00a0Yeah\u00a0I\u2019d love to be back there, so\u00a0we will see for sure.<\/p>\n

As Dick Riley, you have gained huge popularity. What is it about the character that you think the audience connects with?\u00a0<\/b>Dick is not far from how I am in real life, I like to have a laugh, and I think that comes across in my persona. Dave (Mercy)<\/i>\u00a0said to me, the Dick Riley character, is not a gimmick anymore, it\u2019s you being you. I think people connect with that. Exciting Wrestling definitely helps\u00a0too, and\u00a0being called Dick\u00a0haha. Where else can you get away with the wonderful Dick chants?!<\/p>\n

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Flying high against Pete Dunne @ProWrestlingChaos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In late 2017 you received a WWE try-out, talk to us about that experience, what was it like?\u00a0<\/b>It was a bucket list moment for me. One of my goals I set myself was to have a try out, to see if I could do it, which I did. Experience was hard, but great. It\u2019s a full day from 7:30am till 11pm at night,\u00a0non stop\u00a0for 3 days. But I learnt so much. I also got to do it with one of my best mates Iestyn Rees, so made it great for both of us to be doing together.<\/p>\n

On April 28th (@<\/b>ProWrestlingChaos<\/b>) you were scheduled to face current King of Chaos Matt Riddle, unfortunately on April 12th Riddle pulled out. As someone who has worked hard to achieve a title shot, what do you think should happen<\/b>? That\u2019s a great question.\u00a0Whatever\u00a0is best for the product is best with me, I\u2019m happy wrestling anyone, and then trying to have that match be the best it can be.\u00a0But obviously I would have loved to have faced Riddle for the belt, would\u2019ve been a bucket list match for me.<\/p>\n

What have been some of your best memories of your career so\u00a0<\/b>far?\u00a0<\/b>It\u2019s\u00a0hard to put into words my best memories, because there have been so\u00a0so\u00a0many!! List is massive.\u00a0So many countless great road trips, moments, matches, lash ups.\u00a0Last year, I had some of the best matches of my career for definite.\u00a0My matches with Speedball and\u00a0Ospreay\u00a0are easily in my top 5 matches ever.<\/p>\n

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The Magnums Split<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And<\/b>\u00a0finally, how would you like to end 2018, have you set yourself goals?\u00a0<\/b>I think WWE is a goal for every wrestler, no better place to showcase your craft.\u00a0But I\u2019d love to also work for Progress and ICW, I\u2019m a huge fan of their products.\u00a0And also keep improving and trying to have the best matches I can.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A special thanks to Dick Riley for giving up his spare time to talk to us, you can follow him on social media @DickRileyPro<\/a><\/p>\n

Thank you to Jim Maitland @TurningFace<\/a>\u00a0for the pictures used.<\/p>\n

For further previews, reviews, news and Interivews on the UK Independent scene check out\u00a0ProWrestlingJournal<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ciaran James@TheCiaranJames\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 An Interview with Dick Riley@DickRileyPro For those who may not know you (shockingly) please introduce yourself?\u00a0My name is Dick Riley. Professional wrestler from the South West, I\u2019ve been […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8949,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[306],"tags":[72,311,308,310,307,312,211,309,313,314],"class_list":["post-8943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-interviews","tag-attack-pro-wrestling","tag-chris-walker","tag-dirty-dick-riley","tag-evolution-wrestling","tag-interviews","tag-pete-dunne","tag-pro-wrestling-chaos","tag-the-magnums","tag-upw","tag-will-ospreay"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9jnWd-2kf","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/19756339_1704857463152480_7332102857545914888_n.jpg?fit=960%2C639&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8943"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8943\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8971,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8943\/revisions\/8971"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8949"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}