Kyle Fletcher’s Journey to AEW Stardom
Kyle Fletcher has always dreamed of being a professional wrestler, and now he finds himself at the pinnacle of his career. As the reigning All Elite Wrestling (AEW) International Champion, he is set to compete at All In, AEW’s largest event of the year, in front of over 40,000 fans at a sold-out Wembley Arena in London. This match—perhaps the most significant of his career—will see him defending his title against two formidable opponents: Konosuke Takeshita and the legendary Kazuchika Okada, in a showdown that has been brewing for months.
As Fletcher gears up for what can only be described as a monumental clash, I had the chance to sit down with him to discuss All In, his wrestling career, and the complicated relationship he has with fellow wrestler Will Ospreay.
Fletcher’s approach to wrestling reveals an interesting contrast. He exudes the confidence typical of greats, yet his humility can be striking, especially when juxtaposed with his on-screen persona. Behind the bravado of “The Protostar,” there lies a wrestler who both appreciates his journey and is excited about what lies ahead.
“I’m incredibly grateful for everything I have,” Fletcher shares. “Being a professional wrestler has been my dream since childhood. AEW has actually made that dream a reality, allowing me to flourish into the wrestler I’ve become. My life is just amazing.”
Describing Fletcher’s rise as “meteoric” feels accurate but a bit misleading; it implies luck rather than the dedication required to reach his level. Starting his journey at just 15 years old in Australia, Fletcher later moved to England, where he sharpened his skills in the indie wrestling scene, performing with promotions like WhatCulture Pro-Wrestling and Attack! Pro Wrestling. It’s no wonder he holds deep affection for the U.K., despite the fierce sports rivalry with Australia.
“You know, I’ve got a soft spot for the U.K. I spent about four or five years there, so my connection is different. It kind of feels like a home game for me now; I lived there for so long,” Fletcher reflects.
This familiarity will be crucial for Fletcher during All In, as his opponents add an element of discomfort. His history with Takeshita isn’t friendly; they were once allies in The Don Callis Family before it soured, leading Fletcher to eject Takeshita from the group during an explosive moment at Double or Nothing in May. Since then, they’ve been in a fierce rivalry, with Takeshita intent on reclaiming his title. Meanwhile, Okada’s role is ambiguous; although he appears to support Fletcher, there’s a clear lack of trust between them within the same stable.
“If Don’s strategy works out as planned, Okada and I should be aligned, and alongside working to take down Takeshita, I’ll maintain my title,” Fletcher states. But when asked if he believes Okada will stick to the plan, uncertainty emerges. “It’s definitely a tense situation. There are warning signs everywhere, yet I need to place my trust in Don Callis. He’s done so much for me, and I think he knows what’s best for our group.”
Talking about “loyalty” in connection with Don Callis feels somewhat contradictory. Callis, as a manager, has earned a reputation for bringing in talent only to later discard them—whether by nudging them away or severing ties entirely. We’ve seen similar treatment happen with names like Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay, as well as Takeshita, who will face Fletcher on Sunday.
Fletcher’s past associations have shaped him, especially his connection with Ospreay. Once great friends, their friendship fractured over differing views on Callis. After Ospreay exited the group, Fletcher attacked him to set an example, and they’ve struggled to mend that relationship since. While Fletcher’s focus is on his own match, he’s also keenly watching the main event where Ospreay faces Kenny Omega for the AEW World Championship, as that’s a future ambition of his.
“I’m here to be the World Champion. I want to be the best wrestler ever and to elevate AEW to unparalleled heights,” Fletcher asserts with conviction. When asked if he sees a future showdown with Ospreay, he pauses, “Let’s just see if he can even get through Kenny Omega. Kenny seems to be at the top of his game. That’s going to be a hard match for him.”
This leads the conversation down an interesting path. I often ask wrestlers about who they’d include on their personal Mt. Rushmore—not just the greatest wrestlers, but those who’ve had the most influence on them. I mention that Ospreay praised Fletcher in an earlier conversation, calling him one of the most talented wrestlers alive.
“Wow… I, uh, didn’t know he said that,” Fletcher responds thoughtfully. “It’s been too long since we’ve had a genuine conversation. Maybe he’s seeing things differently now. If there’s a chance for a dialogue, that might be worth exploring.”
When it comes to his own Mt. Rushmore, Fletcher names the first two with ease—Jeff Hardy, who ignited his passion for wrestling, and the legendary Jushin Thunder Liger. The next two take more time, but eventually, he settles on PAC and Kenny Omega to complete his list.
It’s clear that wrestling fans have identified Kyle Fletcher as a rising star. At just 27, he hasn’t even hit his peak yet, but many see the potential in him to become a major figure in AEW. As he looks ahead to All In on Sunday, it’s another opportunity to build his legacy, and from there, the world title is definitely within reach. This is just the beginning for him, so it might be a good idea to pay attention now.
All Elite Wrestling’s All In airs live on Sunday, August 30th, from Wembley Stadium in London, starting at 11 a.m. EST. It’s available on YouTube, Amazon, and HBO Max.
