Egremont wrestler Josh Terry has followed in the footsteps of his mentor Johnny Moss by joining up with WWE.

The former West Lakes Academy pupil, who was the first graduate of the Egremont-based Johnny Moss School of Hardknocks and Hammerlocks, made his WWE debut in Manchester last Tuesday.

Terry took on current Raw and 205 live star Lio Rush, putting up a great performance in defeat.

"It was an amazing experience," he said. "A real eye opener on how far I’ve come in such a short time under the guidance of my coach Johnny Moss. Walking through the curtain and seeing the crowd gave me goosebumps.

"Working with the WWE was without a doubt the highlight of my wrestling career and I have so many people to thank, from the lads who I’ve trained with at the Johnny Moss School of Pro Wrestling, to the numerous guest coaches and especially Johnny Moss who’s helped and guided me as he does with everyone who he has a hand in coaching."

Moss landed his dream job as a WWE coach last year, working at the Orlando-based NXT Performance Centre in October. In April, he worked at the sport's flagship event – WrestleMania.

He said: "I had recommended Josh to the company and subsequently he was invited to the Raw and Smackdown tapings in Manchester Arena as my guest.

"He was then asked while there if he would participate in a match on the 205 live show, a programme that caters to wrestlers under 205lb and is all about fast paced high flying action.

"He went on against current Raw and 205 live star Lio Rush. Whilst he was on the losing end he put up a great performance and had many company officials applauding his work.

"Josh is the first graduate of the Johnny Moss School of Pro Wrestling to compete for the WWE.

"He was there on the very first day the school opened and now runs the school whilst I work full time for WWE coaching in Orlando. I am incredibly proud of him, he proves that hard work and dedication pays off.

"The future is certainly looking bright for him."

Terry will next wrestle for WWE on November 24 at the Liverpool Olympia at the WWE NXT UK TV tapings, where Moss will be working as a coach and producer.