Brit hoping to face good buddy Sam Gradwell in Blackpool
By David Ruse
Last Updated: 29/12/16 1:14pm
Triple H announced the United Kingdom Championship Tournament at a press conference in London
James Drake says Triple H's hands-on involvement has made the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament "a big deal".
Drake will be one of 16 British and Irish wrestlers taking part in the competition in his home town of Blackpool on January 14 and 15, with fellow local lad, Sam Gradwell, also in the event.
Triple H, a 14-time world champion in WWE, travelled to London's O2 Arena to announce the tournament and meet the men who will battle to become the first United Kingdom Champion.
"Triple H flew in that morning to specifically do that press conference, which made it a big deal," Drake told Sky Sports ahead of the competition, which will air on the WWE Network.
James Drake is hoping to land the WWE UK Title in Blackpool
"It wasn't a case of throwing things together and letting the guys in the UK sort it out - he came directly from America to London to speak to us, meet everyone and shake our hands.
"He broke down how big an opportunity this was and, going forward, how revolutionary this is for British wrestling - we have a platform we have never had before.
"I can't stress how historic January 14 and 15 is going to be for professional wrestling."
Drake, a former Tag Team and Adrenaline Champion with Manchester-based promotion Future Shock Wrestling, is hoping to lock horns with "great friend" Gradwell during the two-night showcase at Empress Ballroom.
The wrestlers recently posted on Twitter that the other was the favourite opponent they faced in 2016 and Drake insists fans will be in for a treat if their paths cross in the single elimination tournament next month.
Sam Gradwell (pictured) is a unique opponent, says James
"The possibility of me facing Sam in that tournament is mental," said Drake. "He's a guy I have grown up with, travelled with and wrestled in around 30 matches this year and 70 or 80 in total.
"You always know you're in for a fight with him - with a lot of wrestlers you can pick away at their faults and gain an advantage but Sam has a unique style.
"He has another 30 pounds on me - he is a big lad - but you can't pinpoint him as someone who just does power moves as every week you wrestle him he has something new in his arsenal.
"We are great friends in real life but that makes us better enemies in the ring as we will knock seven bells out of each other!"
But who else does Drake expect to make a big impact in Blackpool?
"Pete Dunne, from Birmingham, has generated a lot of buzz on the internet but he is all the hype and more," said the grappler. "If you are a wrestling fan, you are going to love his work.
Drake says Pete Dunne (pictured) should make an impact in Blackpool
"Saying that, watch out for Tyson T Bone - there is nothing fancy about him at all but he has got a new attitude and hits hard, so if someone is going to spring up out of the blue, I would go for him."
The goal for Drake is to make it to the main roster, something Newcastle native Neville has done following a stint on WWE's burgeoning NXT brand between 2012 and 2015.
Drake hopes to eventually combat his countryman, although he also has designs on a certain list-making, scarf-wearing six-time world champion.
Chris Jericho is one of Drake's wrestling idols
"As far as younger talent goes, I would like to face Neville," added Drake. "He has got it all - he can fly high but when he gets stuck in, he is really good.
"It is also one of my dreams to get in the ring with Chris Jericho - he has inspired me all my life.
"I was mesmerised by him when I was seven or eight and I still am now - he changes himself every other year and remains one of the most entertaining people on the roster at the age 46.
"He also got me reading - I am a really active person and generally don't get through books but when he released his first book I read it from cover to cover and have read each of his three books since."
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