On the day of the All Out pay-per-view, TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher spoke with Dave LaGreca and Nic Nemeth on Busted Open Radio about his upcoming chance to compete for the AEW World Championship. This match represents a pivotal point in his career, as Fletcher described the opportunity as both surreal and the realization of a long-held dream.
Fletcher Reflects on Touching the AEW World Title
Recounting the contract signing on Dynamite, Fletcher said the moment he first held the AEW World Championship belt made the entire experience feel tangible and real. He shared,
“Anyone that grows up dreaming of being a pro wrestler thinks about that big first world title win… to not only be in that position, but last night to touch with my own hands for the first time, the AEW world title. It felt very surreal,”
Kyle Fletcher, TNT Champion
Fletcher views this championship match as the chance to solidify his status among AEW’s elite. He expressed confidence that this contest will establish him firmly within the main event tier.
“I think this is the one that really puts me in that main event, top guy spot. Nobody can deny that I belong there.”
Character Evolution and Mic Skills Development
At 26 years old, Fletcher has undergone a significant character evolution since his appearance at WrestleDream in October 2024, symbolized by shaving his head to mark a fresh start. Alongside this, he has concentrated on enhancing his microphone abilities, something he admitted was lacking earlier when wrestling mainly on the independent circuit and for New Japan.
“Being an independent wrestler, wrestling for New Japan, you never really get that chance… I think now I’m starting to find my feet in this Hangman story,”
he said.
Fletcher highlighted the contract signing as his most natural performance on the mic to date, aiming to have more opportunities to speak weekly in order to continue developing his on-screen persona.
Influence of Manager Don Callis and Other Inspirations
Fletcher identified his manager Don Callis as a major influence, particularly admiring Callis’s improvisational style during promos.
“The biggest thing that I’ve learned from him… he doesn’t plan a single thing that he’s gonna say,”
Fletcher revealed. Additionally, he mentioned John Cena and The Miz as key figures whose ability to engage audiences has inspired his own approach.
Adjusting to National Television and AEW Spotlight
Despite rapidly climbing through AEW’s ranks, Fletcher admitted adapting to the demands of national television and his elevated role remains a challenge.
“This whole lifestyle is very new to me. I’ve only been with AEW for two years full time… Everything’s happened very quickly. I just try and remind myself that this is where I’ve wanted to be my entire life,”
he explained, emphasizing his strategy of focusing on each segment and match individually to manage pressure.
Victory Plans and Post-Match Celebration
Should Fletcher capture the AEW World Championship, he has already mapped out his way to celebrate. After adhering to a strict zero-carb diet leading up to the event, he plans to indulge immediately backstage.
“The first thing I will do is straight back to the locker room and shove them down my throat,”
he joked, listing donuts, Sour Patch Kids, and pizza as his preferred victory treats at the hotel.
