Speedball Mike Bailey Explains Why Becoming AEW International Champion Means So Much
“Speedball” Mike Bailey believes winning the AEW International Championship would be symbolic of his journey.
Canadian talent enjoyed a successful night at AEW Redemption, with every Canadian-born wrestler competing on the show picking up a victory. On the main card, the action began with “Speedball” Mike Bailey winning a six-man ladder match to earn a guaranteed shot at the AEW International Championship, currently held by Kyle Fletcher. Bailey not only secured the opportunity but also announced that the title match would take place at AEW Grand Slam: Mexico.
During the AEW Redemption post-show media scrum, Bailey discussed why winning the AEW International Championship would hold such significance for him.
“That is the championship that I wanted because I see myself as an international pro wrestler. I’m great because of Quebec, because of all the wrestlers here that prepared me to go around the world and take what’s best from every single wrestler in every other country, and bring it back to AEW. It’s to represent Quebec and what it’s like to be from here that I need to beat Kyle Fletcher for the International Championship.”
-Mike Bailey
Despite his latest accolade, “Speedball” Mike Bailey continues to remain incredibly humble. During the main event of AEW Redemption, where Kenny Omega defeated TNT Champion Kevin Knight to retain the AEW World Championship, the Montreal crowd began chanting “Speedball’s better,” which appeared to get under Knight’s skin.
Bailey addressed the chants during the media scrum and offered a surprising response despite his former ally having recently betrayed him.
“Kevin getting the ‘Speedball’s Better’ chant, which makes me very happy, but I don’t entirely believe. I thought it when we were JetSpeed. I think Kevin is going to be known as the greatest pro wrestler in the world. And then I’m hoping that I’ll beat him then, and then it’ll be us playing catch up. Honestly, we were the best tag team in the world for the year that we were together, and I mean that. And it still means a lot to me to see him in the main event tonight take on the best professional wrestler in history, Kenny Omega. Both of us being on the same show in the Bell Centre just means the world to me.”
-Mike Bailey
Online, many fans have been hoping to see “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight clash for the TNT Championship once again. Their previous encounter saw Knight pick up the victory with help from the Don Callis Family, mirroring Kyle Fletcher’s own controversial win over Bailey in their last meeting. A future rematch could give Bailey the chance to prove he can overcome those obstacles and capture championship gold.
Many think All In: London would be a great place for the two to settle the score, but before that can happen, Bailey has a “date with destiny” at Arena México on August 5, where he’ll attempt to win the AEW International Championship.
Elsewhere during the AEW Redemption post-show media scrum, Willow Nightingale reflected on becoming the first-ever AEW Women’s Grand Slam Champion. You can read more about that here.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on future plans for Speedball Mike Bailey as soon as we hear more.
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