Speedball Mike Bailey Talks Evolution of Wrestling Ahead of AEW Championship Match

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — As All Elite Wrestling (AEW) gears up for a highly anticipated International Championship match on April 6, ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey is ready to prove there’s more than one way to do pro wrestling. Bailey, who will face off against Kenny Omega and Ricochet, recently discussed the evolution of wrestling and the importance of connecting with a diverse audience.

In a candid interview, Bailey highlighted the positive changes he’s witnessed in pro wrestling, particularly regarding character development and promos. “I think pro wrestling is changing. The audience is getting broader. Which means there’s a lot greater variety of people,” Bailey said. “There’s more kinds of people who want to see pro wrestling now.”

Bailey remarked on Ricochet’s recent turn in fan perception following a series of strong character portrayals and effective promos. Known for his in-ring acrobatics, Ricochet historically faced criticism for his speaking skills. However, Bailey believes his improvement is evident. “The people who criticized Ricochet are the same people… imagine talking in professional wrestling as only one specific thing,” he said. “And there is only one very specific way to do it.”

Bailey recognized the role that AEW plays in this transformation. “I don’t think in the past, the format allowed me to do long-term promos and have really intense character moments. That’s something I really look forward to in AEW,” he added. “I want to show some range in terms of promos and acting.”

On the topic of his unique presentation and style, Bailey shared insights into how he develops his character designs. “It’s more about who I am as a person. I just do things that I like and when something works, I let it come naturally,” Bailey explained, referring to his outfits inspired by pop culture, including the video game character King from Tekken.

He emphasized the significance of catering to both long-standing fans and newcomers. “A lot of the people don’t even know who ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey is. When they see me come out of the curtain, a huge part of the audience is just looking for a good time,” Bailey said. “So it’s important that my match is fully understood by that segment of the population that is watching.”

As Bailey prepares for the upcoming match at the Liacouras Center, he remains committed to pleasing both new and dedicated fans alike. A veteran of nearly 20 years on the indie scene, he recognizes the importance of engaging audiences through social media and other platforms to deepen their understanding of his performances. “I’m going to use clips from my match on social media. I’m going to make a vlog where I talk about things and really go deep with my audience,” Bailey said.

With the AEW Dynasty event on the horizon, fans can look forward to witnessing Bailey’s evolution as a performer. “I am happy with AEW, now that an even bigger part of the audience is catching on to all the references and every little thing that makes up Speedball Mike Bailey,” he concluded.