Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
British standout Michael Oku is set to make his highly anticipated Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling (debut tomorrow Saturday, May 10, as part of MLP’s sophomore event Northern Rising, live from Toronto and streaming worldwide via TrillerTV. Oku enters one of the most buzzworthy matches on a stacked card, taking on New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Gabe Kidd and AEW’s “Speedball” Mike Bailey in a triple threat bout that has the potential to steal not just the show, but the entire month.
“This is the best thing possible you could have given me,” Oku said of the matchup during a recent PWInsiderElite.com interview. “People will be tuning into the show specifically to see this match.”
Oku, known for his high-octane offense and emotional storytelling, credits Bailey as a major influence in his evolution as a performer. “I always credit Speedball for unlocking a part of my brain when it comes to wrestling,” Oku explained. “He’s probably the most consistent performer over the last eight years.”
While Oku and Bailey have faced off in singles bouts before, this triple threat brings a new dynamic—especially with the inclusion of Kidd, whom Oku called “the owner of the best match of 2025 so far,” referencing Kidd’s Tokyo Dome classic with Kenny Omega.
Oku’s MLP debut comes during a whirlwind year that has seen him compete across the globe, including high-profile appearances in AEW and Ring of Honor, as well as standout performances over WrestleMania weekend. Now armed with a U.S. work visa, Oku is poised to make even more appearances stateside.
“I’ve always tried to step back and smell the roses, but it’s amazing how it’s all come to fruition—slowly but surely,” Oku reflected. “I’m actually busy traveling up and down the world, and I’m very happy with how things are.”
MLP’s Northern Rising marks Oku’s biggest platform in Canada to date. Although he’s wrestled for promotions like C*4 and SMASH, he sees Saturday’s event at the historic Maple Leaf Gardens as a major milestone. “This will be the hugest platform in Canada that I’ve competed on, for sure,” he said.
Coming from London, Oku admits there have been some moments of culture shock—especially during his visits to rural parts of the United States. “There’s just nothing for miles,” he said of some shows. “I went to Texas looking for a cowboy hat, and the store also sold guns. I was like, ‘Aha! I’m in America.’”
Still, once he steps inside a locker room, the language is universal: wrestling. “There’s such a high volume of good wrestlers now. You need something else to stand out,” Oku noted. For him, that extra layer comes in the form of his real-life partner and manager, Amira Blair.
“Amira helps elevate my matches. She adds another layer to what we can do story-wise,” Oku said. “And she’s the best mix of Miss Elizabeth and Sherri Martel.”
With matches like Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jonathan Gresham and Kylie Rae vs. Gisele Shaw also slated for Northern Rising, Oku is under no illusions about the level of talent surrounding him. But that only fuels his drive to make an unforgettable first impression.
“I don’t want to just fit in—I want to stand out,” he said. “When I looked at the card, there isn’t another match like ours. We’re already going to stand out by being the only triple threat. I feel like we’re going to have people talking for a while after the show is done.”
Oku sees similarities between the energy around MLP and his breakout appearances in PWG. “That was the place that gave me more confidence,” he said. “It worked when I wrestled Takeshita. It gave me the confidence that I can turn heads with what I do.”
While Oku’s sights are set on Toronto this weekend, his schedule remains packed. He remains a cornerstone of Revolution Pro Wrestling in the UK, where he is the reigning Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion, and will soon head to Spain and France with RevPro’s European tour. He’ll also continue making appearances for WXW and hopes to be back in the United States regularly.
“I’ve got a visa now, so I’ll be in and out of the U.S. as much as I can,” he confirmed. “Follow me on social media for updates.”
Fans can follow Michael Oku at @TheOJMO on all major platforms and check out merchandise and appearances at michaeloku.com.
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s Northern Rising airs live this Saturday, May 10, from Toronto, exclusively on TrillerTV. Tickets for the event are nearly sold out. Fans can also bundle the pay-per-view with MLP’s upcoming Montreal event this July.
As Oku noted, “If you support this, I think you’ll see Maple Leaf Pro grow even further. And I promise, we’re going to give you something you won’t forget.”
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
