Do you even slam? Well, this guy sure does. We had a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the international world of pro wrestling. We sat down with British super talent, Sam Gradwell, and had a nice chat as he visited Finland for the SuperSLAM! wrestling event.

Sam Gradwell from Blackpool England, is a veteran in European professional wrestling. Sam Gradwell was a regular on the WWE NXT UK television programme. Starting his pro wrestling career in Grand Pro Wrestling, he has wrestled across the world now for 15 years. The Finland pro wrestling scene has greeted Sam Gradwell now on four occasions and Sam Gradwell is a one-time SLAM! Wrestling Finland champion.

Sam Gradwell was close to reaching the top level in Europe when WWE was running its NXT UK program on television. Right now, as of this writing, it seems that in 2024 WWE is planning to launch its new NXT Europe brand and will likely sign several top European talents again. Will we continue to see Sam Gradwell here in Finland, or only in WWE programs? Time will tell.

His wrestling career began in 2007, training at Grand Pro Wrestling’s wrestling school in Manchester. Johnny Brannigan took Sam under his wing and helped him along the way. After building a name for himself in the independent circuit for years, WWE started getting interested in him between 2017–2018. From 2020 onwards, he was already a regular in the NXT UK brand.

Sam Gradwell with SLAM Wrestling Finland championship belt
Sam Gradwell posing with his SLAM! Wrestling Finland championship in Helsinki.

Gradwell is a well-traveled and seasoned professional with a 15-year career. So far he has wrestled in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, China, Hong Kong, Poland, and now, of course, Finland on several occasions. In the Finnish pro wrestling scene, he is booked by SLAM! Wrestling Finland, an international wrestling organization operating in Finland.

On October 14, 2023, Sam Gradwell won the SLAM! Wrestling Finland championship from “The Wildman” Heimo in Helsinki, which is probably the reason for his highly confident appearance on camera. We should mention that on the same day we did the interview (Feb. 10, 2024), Gradwell lost the championship to “The Rebel” StarBuck in their rematch in Helsinki.

Check out the full interview and listen to what the guy has to say. The conversation touches on Finland, reindeer, and personal life as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sam Gradwell?

Sam Gradwell is a professional wrestler from Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Born on June 1, 1991, he began his wrestling career in 2009 and has competed in various promotions, including WWE‘s NXT UK.

When did Sam Gradwell make his pro wrestling debut?

He made his professional wrestling debut on February 20, 2009, under the ring name Ricky J. McKenzie with Grand Pro Wrestling.

What are some of Sam Gradwell’s career highlights?

Sam Gradwell has held several titles throughout his career, including the GPW Heavyweight Title and the SLAM! Wrestling Finland championship. He also participated in the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament.