In an exclusive interview with PWMania.com, former WWE star and current PROGRESS Proteus Champion Donovan Dijak opened up about his wrestling career, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from his time in WWE, his memorable rivalry with Keith Lee, his experiences working with Vince McMahon, and his ambitions following his return to PROGRESS Wrestling.
From Ring of Honor to WWE. From incredible NXT matches to becoming T-BAR in RETRIBUTION. From wrestling around the world to returning to Camden and winning championship gold. Donovan Dijak has certainly had an eventful career. And now, he’s the new PROGRESS Proteus Champion. At 6ft 7in, Dijak isn’t exactly someone you could miss walking down Camden High Street. And after defeating Hollywood star Paul Walter Hauser at Chapter 199: Bonestorm, he’s got a rather shiny accessory to carry around too.
PWMania.com caught up with Dijak to discuss his career, the challenges of WWE, his incredible chemistry with Keith Lee, and his ambitions for PROGRESS. And there was plenty to talk about. You can check out the complete interview below:
From Camden to Championship Gold
Dijak’s relationship with PROGRESS stretches back over a decade, including a memorable encounter with Pete Dunne.
Returning to the Electric Ballroom brought back some special memories. “There was a decade apart standing behind, probably not the exact same curtain, but in the exact same spot,” he explained.
Both appearances were surprises, and while he admitted there’s always that little doubt about how fans will react, he felt his latest reception was even better. His championship victory also meant finally wrestling Hauser, someone he’s known through MLW. “He’s just a passionate human being. He loves professional wrestling.”
But Dijak isn’t planning on simply enjoying his new championship. “My goal is to make this the top championship in PROGRESS.”
He wants to defend regularly, increase the title’s visibility and give everything he has to making it feel like the promotion’s biggest prize. Not exactly easing himself into the role, then.
Keith Lee – A Rivalry That Almost Never Happened
For many fans, Dijak’s incredible matches with Keith Lee remain among the highlights of his WWE career. Two enormous athletes doing things that, quite frankly, men of their size have absolutely no business doing, but their rivalry nearly never happened. Dijak revealed that when Beyond Wrestling offered him a match in 2016, he initially chose Big Damo over Lee. Then he changed his mind, and what a decision that turned out to be. During their first conversation, Lee casually suggested performing a standing moonsault. Dijak’s response? “I’m sorry. Did you say standing moonsault?”
Their chemistry was immediate, and they would wrestle approximately 11 times on the independent scene before joining WWE. Interestingly, their first NXT television encounter was only supposed to be a one-off. “We came to the back, and they were head over heels about it. They were like, ‘We are doing this over and over and over.’”
The rest, as they say, is history.
RETRIBUTION – More Than Just T-BAR
RETRIBUTION remains one of WWE’s more divisive creative decisions, and Dijak revealed something fascinating about the faction. He actually pitched to Vince McMahon to become involved, with both Big Damo and Nikki Storm among the names he’d suggested. Although the group ultimately struggled creatively, Dijak doesn’t view the experience negatively. “I was fortunate to just have a job,” he explained, reflecting on the uncertainty of the pandemic.
He also credits that period with providing opportunities that helped establish his subsequent career. “People think of it like, ah, that tainted your career and it sent you on a downward spiral or whatever. That’s just not the case.”
It’s a refreshing perspective. Rather than focusing on the mask, the name or the booking, Dijak remembers the friendships, financial security and opportunities to learn from some of wrestling’s biggest names.
Walking Into Vince McMahon’s Office
Perhaps the most revealing part of our conversation concerned Dijak’s determination to make something happen during his WWE main roster run. After months of uncertainty, he decided enough was enough. “I just kind of went into Vince’s office uninvited.”
He admitted the first conversation didn’t go particularly well, although subsequent discussions eventually helped create opportunities. Dijak estimated he had only six or seven substantial conversations with McMahon during two years on the main roster. He described McMahon as never being particularly unpleasant, but often appearing to have more important matters to attend to. His experience with Triple H and Shawn Michaels in NXT was different, describing them as more transparent and collaborative, and that willingness to fight for opportunities says plenty about Dijak’s character.
PROGRESS – The Next Chapter
With Chapter 200 approaching, Dijak believes PROGRESS is heading in an exciting direction under Nikki Storm and Big Damo. He recalled attending a PROGRESS show during WrestleMania weekend in 2016 and being amazed by the atmosphere. Now, he wants to help the promotion reach those heights again, and with the Proteus Championship around his waist, he’s certainly in a position to make an impact. From an unforgettable rivalry with Keith Lee to navigating WWE’s creative challenges, Dijak has experienced almost everything professional wrestling can throw at someone, but perhaps the most interesting thing is that he isn’t looking backwards. He’s looking towards Camden, championship defences and making PROGRESS bigger than ever, and judging by our conversation, he means business.
PROGRESS has a new champion. And he’s not here to make up the numbers.
