Latest news with #Crixus
Glasgow Times
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
I quit my life in Scotland to become a US wrestling star
Luke Scouler, from Motherwell, left his job as a residential carer for young people to pursue his dream of being a pro wrestler. In just a few years, Luke, now known to fans as Crixus, has transitioned from sleeping in a gym car park to becoming a breakout star at Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), an American wrestling brand which propelled the careers of John Cena and Dave Batista. The Scottish War Machine, who featured in the hit Netflix documentary Wrestlers, was also crowned OVW's first-ever Scottish champion. Luke (AKA Crixus) now stars in the Netflix-famous Ohio Valley Wrestling (Image: Supplied) Read more: Canadian star says THIS Scottish man is a 'certified f****** legend' Luke, 33, previously worked in residential care at Inspire Scotland, a social care organisation that supports children and young people. He recalled his decision to leave his job and home almost instantly after watching wrestling on TV. Luke said: 'I really loved that job. "But it was tough emotionally. "I've always had a bit of a Batman complex – I thought I was going to save everybody. 'I was in a bad place with it. "I knew it wasn't for me, and I was burned out. "I remember sitting in my house in Newmains watching TV with my dog, Odin, when wrestling came on and I just thought: 'Screw it, let's go.' "Scots have made it big in this business – why couldn't I?" Luke drove to London that same night and enrolled in a wrestling academy run by former WWE star and current OVW head trainer Al Snow. He said: "I drove through the night with no plan and no place to stay. "Me and the dog slept in the car for a bit. "Eventually the guy who ran it asked if I was serious. "I told him I'd already quit my job and left my house. "That was it. "We moved into the gym and didn't go back." Luke joined OVW in 2019 after coming first in a 300-person wrestling combine. However, his career was halted due to Covid, forcing him to stay in the UK for two years. Now based in Kentucky, he is one of the biggest stars at the promotion, and believes his Scottish roots are what set him up for success. Luke said: "We've got thicker skin, especially in Glasgow. "You're battle-ready by the time you leave primary school, so wrestling comes naturally to us. "I'm a smartass cheeky b******, and the accent helps too. "Over here in the States, people already think we're mental which helps. "I just turned my personality up to 11. "I wasn't pretending to be someone else – just the version of me you probably wouldn't want to sit next to in a pub. "I get to act like an a**** and they still love me. "They boo you, but they're cheering underneath." Al Snow, his mentor, believes Luke could be the next big Scottish wrestling star. Read more: ITV viewers 'definitely watching' new David Tennant drama with 'fantastic cast' He said: "With the success of Joe Hendry and Drew McIntyre, Scotland is increasingly a potential source of talent. "With Crixus, we may have another superstar on our hands. "His dedication has been incredible. "To make it in this business, you have to sacrifice and do things out of the ordinary. "And that's why I think he's got what it takes."
Daily Record
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Newmains man who drove to London to chase dream of being a professional wrestler is tearing it up in America
Luke Scouler, better known as Crixus, is a rising star in the USA. A Newmains man who packed in his job and drove to London to enrol in a wrestling academy run by a former WWE star could be on his way to superstardom in the United States. Luke Scouler, better known to wrestling fans as Crixus, had previously been a fitness instructor before working in residential care with young people at Inspire Scotland, a social care organisation that supports children and young people. The 33-year-old said: 'I really loved that job. But it was tough emotionally. I've always had a bit of a Batman complex - I thought I was going to save everybody. 'I was in a bad place with it. I knew it wasn't for me and I was burned out. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7. The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you. Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android "I was in a bad place and I remember sitting in my house in Newmains watching TV with my dog, Odin, when wrestling came on and I just thought; 'Screw it. Let's go.' Scots have made it big in this business – why couldn't I?' That night, he drove to London accompanied by his dog Odin to enrol in a wrestling academy run by former WWE star Al Snow, who has shared a ring with the likes of legendary wrestling royalty such as the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. 'I drove through the night with no plan and no place to stay,' Luke admitted. 'Me and the dog slept in the car for a bit. Eventually the guy who ran it asked if I was serious. I told him I'd already quit my job and left my house. That was it. We moved into the gym and didn't go back.' He first landed a place at OVW in 2019, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) – the cult American brand featured in the hit Netflix documentary Wrestlers – after placing first at a 300-person wrestling combine. OVW is the wrestling promotion that launched the careers of John Cena and Batista. However, just as things were taking off for Luke, the Covid pandemic hit and he ended up stuck in the UK for two years. Now based in Louisville, Kentucky, he became the first ever Scottish OVW champion and is now one of their biggest stars – something which he thinks his upbringing in Scotland prepared him well for. He said: 'We've got thicker skin. You're battle-ready by the time you leave primary school, so wrestling comes naturally to us. 'I'm a smartass cheeky b******, and the accent helps too. Over here in the States, people already think we're mental which helps. I just turned my personality up to 11. 'I wasn't pretending to be someone else – just the version of me you probably wouldn't want to sit next to in a pub. I get to act like an a*** and they still love me. They boo you, but they're cheering underneath.' The rise of Crixus comes in the wake of the success of fellow Scots such as Drew McIntyre, an OVW alumnus who became Scotland's first WWE Champion in 2020, and Edinburgh's Joe Hendry who made his WrestleMania debut this year. Portrayed by Zac Efron in the Hollywood movie The Iron Claw, former WWE Hardcore and European champion Al Snow, OVW's head trainer, said: 'With Crixus, we may have another superstar on our hands. His dedication has been incredible. "To make it in this business, you have to sacrifice and do things out of the ordinary. And that's why I think he's got what it takes.' * Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
