Latest news with #LukeScouler
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!
Daily Record
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scots wrestler who lived in his car with his dog now a rising ring star in USA
Meet the former Motherwell carer, Luke Scouler, turned wrestling star taking America by storm. A former Scots carer who once lived in his car with his dog is now making waves across the Atlantic as one of the rising stars in American wrestling. Luke Scouler, 33, from Motherwell, better known by fans as Crixus, and he's quickly become one of the breakout stars of Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) — the same promotion that launched WWE legends like John Cena and Batista. Nicknamed the Scottish War Machine, Luke's journey has taken him from sleeping in a gym car park to headline matches in the US, including casket matches and cage fights. He made history as OVW's first-ever Scottish champion, and now appears regularly in the cult promotion recently featured in the hit Netflix documentary Wrestlers. Before the body slams and bright lights, Luke had worked as a fitness instructor and in residential care for young people at Inspire Scotland. 'I really loved that job. But it was tough emotionally,' Luke said. '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 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 same night, he packed up his car, grabbed his dog, and drove through the night to enroll at a wrestling academy in London run by former WWE star Al Snow , who is now OVW's head trainer. 'I drove through the night with no plan and no place to stay. Me and the dog slept in the car for a bit,' Luke recalled. '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.' After topping a 300-person wrestling combine in 2019, Luke earned a coveted spot at OVW. But his momentum was stalled when the pandemic hit, forcing him back to the UK for two years. Now, fully based in Kentucky, he's cementing himself as one of the promotion's leading names. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. '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,' Luke said. '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.' His rise comes during what insiders are calling a golden period for Scots in pro wrestling. Joe Hendry , from Edinburgh, appeared at WrestleMania this year, while Drew McIntyre , from Ayrshire and also an OVW alumnus, became Scotland's first WWE Champion in 2020. OVW head coach Al Snow, himself a former WWE European and Hardcore Champion, believes Luke could be next. 'With the success of Joe Hendry and Drew McIntyre, Scotland is increasingly a potential source of talent. ICW did amazing things. I know Grado — though don't tell him I said this — but he's incredibly charismatic and doing so well across TV, radio and stage,' Snow 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.'
