AEW: Norfolk wrestler Zak Bevis makes American breakthrough

Zak Bevis is known as 'Zak Zodiac' in the world of professional wrestling

Norfolk wrestler Zak Bevis said appearing for a major American wrestling promotion was the greatest day of his professional life.

The 32-year-old - known as Zak Zodiac - had a match at All Elite Wrestling, where his sister Saraya is already a star.

Their story was told in the film 'Fighting with my Family'.

On his time with AEW, Bevis said: " Not many people believed I had what it takes, but I backed myself".

In August 2023, Bevis and some of his family members, including brother and tag-team partner Roy, accompanied Saraya to the ring at Wembley Stadium as she captured the AEW Women's Championship in front of more than 80,000 people.

'Conquer America'

Bevis said he wanted to be at next year's event at the stadium.

"I want to conquer America but, ultimately, my biggest dream is to make sure I'm on at Wembley in 2024," he said. "That's the goal, that's what I've got my eyes set on, that's what I want to achieve.

"A Norwich boy at Wembley Stadium in front of potentially 80,000 fans, that's what I'm working towards."

Bevis won his debut match in Oklahoma City on 20 December against American 'Pretty' Peter Avalon and garnered praise from one of the top stars at AEW - Chris Jericho.

"First time I've seen his work and he kicked ass!" Jericho posted on his X social media account.

Bevis was delighted to receive praise from a wrestler he admires: "Having Jericho and the whole roster being so embracing and lovely means that, right now, I'm living in a bubble!

"That debut match was fantastic and the support and love I've had online and all over the world has been very humbling.

"I want to thank AEW owner Tony Khan for giving me an opportunity. I've had 20 years of blood, sweat and tears and Tony is the first one who took that leap of faith," he continued.

His mental health has hindered his wrestling career in the past, Bevis said.

Zak Bevis was played by actor Jack Lowden in the film 'Fighting With My Family'

"For many years, I was just coasting along just living off my family's name, but something clicked in me," he said.

"Six years ago I had my mental breakdown and everyone knew that was rock bottom. I was 22 and a half stone, I had to take time away from my wife and children, I moved away from Norwich and I had to have time to reflect.

"That's where my catchphrase 'it's time' came from because I sat in my lounge and said to myself 'it's time to better myself, it's time to achieve the dream, it's time to change.'"

'Nothing has ever come easy'

His parents Ricky and Julia are also professional wrestlers and spoke about their pride at having both their children performing on a big stage.

Mum Julia said: "Nothing has ever come easy to Zak. Everything that he has got in life, it seems like he has had to put in four times the amount of effort that anyone else puts in.

"I'm not saying that anything was handed to Saraya on a plate but she had the right look, the right timing, the right everything and everything clicked."

Dad Ricky said several rejections from auditions at WWE spurred his son on.

"He has had more knockbacks than Saraya - and Zak has had to come back more times. Anything you get in life you have to work hard for, as a family we have realised that.

"To reach the top you have to have ability and you have to have the 'wow factor', which Zak and Saraya both have."

Zak Bevis' mum and dad are also professional wrestlers and have their own promotion in Norwich called WAW

Bevis is back in the UK to spend Christmas with his wife Courtney and three children, but the whole family will return to the United States on 28 December. Zak says they have not yet decided if the move will be made permanent.

"Norwich is always going to have a big part of my heart," he said. "I've travelled all over the world and there really is no place like home.

"I'm not going to forget about the Norwich fans that made me the wrestler and the man that I am today but I've got dreams and aspirations. I will be back, but right now I need to conquer and fly the Norwich flag".