2011 UKFF UK50 - RESULTS THREAD

[Baz Windham]

Finally, if anyone hasn't seen it, here is

 

'I'm on Dave Mastiff'. Awesome!

 

And there was me thinking my life peaked yesterday with Haku wine.

[Southside crew]

Finally, if anyone hasn't seen it, here is

 

'I'm on Dave Mastiff'. Awesome!

 

I cracked up when i first saw it

[Big Benny HG]

No. 15 - Jack Gallagher

Score: 268 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2011 votes: 2

2010 ranking: Not Listed

(2009=NL; 2008=NL; 2007=NL; 2006=NL; 2005=NL)

 

 

Originally hailing from FutureShock Wrestling, Manchester's Jack Gallagher toiled for several years in FSW, GPW and then NGW and FWA as "Jack Toxic", the sneaky, obnoxious snot-nosed punk often seen teaming with Cyanide in the 'Lethal Dose' tag unit. The middle of 2010, however, saw an amazing transformation. With all the gimmickry stripped away to reveal a no-nonsense, intense, gum-shield-wearing, no-knee-padded mat wrestling machine of a shooter from Billy Riley's 'Snakepit' in Wigan, "The Grappler" Jack Gallagher was born. Following a string of superb singles bouts in the last 12 months, 2011 sees Gallagher make his first ever UKFF UK50 appearance. Breaking into the Top 15, Gallagher is the highest ranked new entrant in the UKFF UK50 this year, as well as being the joint-3rd highest in the history of the project (tied with Martin Kirby's debut at 15th in 2008 and behind both Pac (6th) and Darkside (8th) way back in 2006).

 

Having recently been reborn as "The Grappler" in both FSW in Stockport and NGW in Hull, Gallagher debuted the gimmick for Grand Pro Wrestling in low-key fashion as part of an 8-man tag team match when the promotion returned from its annual summer break. The following month, however, Gallagher was to shock fans when his cracking match with El Ligero completely stole the show, revealing a totally different side that GPW had not seen before. He kept his momentum at "Only The Strong Survive 2010" in October, where he was to put his GPW roster place on the line against the debuting Zack Diamond, a former foe from FSW. In a superb match which was selected as GPW's best of 2010, Gallagher and Diamond went toe-to-toe in a genuine thriller, before "The Grappler" had to resort to a handful of tights to get the win. As a result of his impressive performances, Gallagher was chosen to replace the injured Danny Hope in the 3-way 20-minute Scramble against CJ Banks and Martin Kirby for the British Championship. Taking place at the season-ending "Guts and Glory" event, Gallagher won control several times in the match before getting into it one more time with Zack Diamond, who was sat front row as a paying punter. As a result of the heated brawl between the two, Diamond was added to the match and actually came away with the decisive pin to steal Banks' belt.

 

2011 saw Gallagher compete in a 6-way in February, before he got back to winning ways by defeating Danny Hope in a great match at the following month's "Live and Let Die". Back in the British Title picture, Gallagher opposed Diamond as part of a 'Survivor Series' 8-man tag in April. A brilliant all-action bout ended with Gallagher, Diamond and Mikey Whiplash (whom Diamond had beaten in another thriller the previous month) as the final 3. Gallagher managed to score a pin to eliminate the champion, but was eliminated himself by Whiplash shortly after. As a direct result of this, Gallagher, Diamond and Whiplash were matched in a 3-way 30-minute Iron Man Match for the British Championship at "Battlefield" in May. Promoted to the main event, the three men again stole the show in one of the best UK matches of the year so far, full of action, innovation, drama and excitement. With scores tied, a sudden-death overtime period was warranted, ending with Diamond retaining his title. Gallagher and Diamond were rematched for a final time the following month as GPW's 500th match, 8 months after their 2010 Match of the Year. Another corking display ended with Gallagher locking on the heel hook for a submission victory to end the 2011 UKFF UK50 period as the GPW British Champion.

 

Back over in Stockport's FSW, "The Grappler" beat Hamish Campbell, his former partner Cyanide and evil Alex Shane associate "Textbook" Dave Breaks to win the 2010 FutureShock Trophy, the traditional year-end tournament in the promotion, the winner of which is traditionally elevated directly to main event level the following year. Following on from this, 2011 opened Gallagher issue an open challenge to the best wrestlers from the around the country and, indeed, the world in order to test his skills and prove himself to be main event championship calibre. Gallagher therefore faced and defeated RJ Singh at 'FutureShock 50' in April and Joel Redman at 'FS 51' in June in reportedly excellent offerings. The series of matches continued just after the end of the 2011 UKFF UK50 eligibility period in Gallagher's most high-profile match of his career to date, taking on reigning ROH World Champion Davey Richards at 'FS 52' in July. Though Gallagher was to be defeated, he was to gain much fanfare and exposure as a result of the match and his performance, with Richards notably stating the match to be his "favourite ever".

 

Over in New Generation Wrestling, Gallagher formed Team Venom with Scott Adams and aimed for the new NGW Tag Team Championship, as well as trading singles victories with Joey Hayes.

 

What did the UKFF think?

"He could easily be one of the best in the UK in 3 years time, there's just something special about him, has had stellar matches all year"

"Technically brilliant and has had some awesome matches this year"

"The most technically sound wrestler on the UK scene today. Bringing that old school style of wrestling to the new school of wrestlers. His match of the year contender with Zach Diamond has secured him a place within my top 15"

"Loving his grappler gimmick, his matches with Zack Diamond, Joel Redman and RJ Singh have been amazing"

"The best technical wrestler in the country bar none, hopefully the next 12 months he will break through the ceiling and become the name on everyone’s lips"

"Transformation from Toxic to Gallagher has been astounding. Got ripped and developed one of the best looks in the country in what seemingly seemed to be overnight. Recently opening the eyes of fans of to how actually good he is. Despite an amazing year, I still think his breakout year is to come"

"He maybe whiter than milk and smaller than the average man, but once he's in that ring Jack grips the audience with his matches"

"I'm really really impressed with the ability of this guy and his potential to only get better with more experience. I'm a huge fan of his wrestling style and he alone has me reassured that the future of that wrestling style, and British wrestling as a whole, is in very safe hands"

"Really could be number one this time next year"

"He's a machine. A wrestling machine. A very impressive one, at that"

"One of the best technical wrestlers in this country, never boring. His matches since winning the FutureShock trophy tournament have been fantastic in particular with Joel Redman"

"A very good wrestler who appeals to the old school fans. Doesn't need to do top rope high flying stuff. His technical submisson style is very good to watch. His image is good. Has had some good matches this past year. Good prospect for the future"

"Fantastic transformation from Jack Toxic, this guy looks and acts the part of The Grappler"

"Stand out in the North West this year, looks the part, has had excellent matches"

"Absolute machine in the ring and quite unique look"

[FishAndChips]

Truly deserved of that spot is Jack

[cobystag]

Yeah, have only seen Gallagher once since the transformation from Toxic and it was that match against Richards. If that match had happened within the voting period, Gallagher would have ended up in my list from that one match alone. Can't wait for his semi-dream match (It's a match and feud I fantasy booked as soon as I saw his matc with Davey) against Zack Sabre Jnr in November and I look forward to seeing more of the guy in the future.

[Big Benny HG]

No. 14 - Joey Hayes

Score: 274 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2011 votes: 0

2010 ranking: 10th

(2009=9th; 2008=5th; 2007=39th; 2006=NL; 2005=47th)

 

 

One of the UK's most versatile performers, Leigh's Joey Hayes slips out of the Top 10 this year after ranking there the previous 3 occasions. In the 2011 UKFF UK50 period, Joey has worked for promotions across Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire, as well as BCW in Scotland, both in singles matches and as part of double-championship team 'The Models' with Danny Hope.

 

After having spent the first half of 2010 in his 'home' GPW promotion challenging for CJ Banks' British Championship, Hayes joined the fight against Dirk Feelgood and his 'Masterplan' at 'Alive and Amplified' in August. After beating Bruce Sheila earlier in the night, Joey ran out to save Dylan Roberts from a gang beating at the hands of Masterplan members Feelgood, Jiggy Walker and Cameron Kraze. Though Hayes immediately wanted Feelgood one-on-one, he was forced to wait. Joey promised a surprise partner for his tag bout against Feelgood and Kraze the following month at 'Friday Night Thriller IV' and that's exactly what he delivered, as retired former favourite Bubblegum returned to join him in the fight against Feelgood. All was not what it seemed, however, since Bubblegum himself was revealed to the the 4th Masterplan member, turning on Hayes in a red hot angle. Hayes was to get a measure of revenge when he got his hands on Feelgood as part of the 6 vs. 6 'Torneo Cibernetico' bout in October. Indeed, Hayes and Feelgood were the last two remaining in the elimination-style main event, and Joey took advantage of Dylan Robert's return to score the pin over his rival and emerge the winner of the whole thing.

 

With Dirk out with a broken arm, Hayes, Roberts and El Ligero went down to Bubblegum, Kraze and Walker in November. Then, Joey opened 2011 with a singles main event against the man that betrayed him 5 months earlier, Bubblegum. A great match ended when Feelgood came out to smash Hayes with his cast, allowing Bubblegum to win. Ligero ran out for the save, setting up the tag main event the next month. There, another good 'un ended with Hayes getting even with Dirk, pulling his cast off and using it against him. Joey, Ligero and Roberts were joined in their fight against the Masterplan by Martin Kirby for the 8-man tag team main event of the April show. Fought under survivor rules, Hayes and Feelgood eliminated each other with a double pin, meaning that nothing had been settled between them. Ligero vs. Kraze in May ended with another mass brawl, finally setting up the long-awaited Joey Hayes vs. Dirk Feelgood singles match for the appropriately-named 'Heroes and Villains' show in June. There, Joey was on the verge of victory when he was betrayed again, this time by referee Mike Fitzgerald being revealed as aligned with the Masterplan, leading Dirk to the big win...

 

In his long-established flamboyant 'Models' heel team, Hayes and Danny Hope started the 2011 UKFF UK50 period by becoming double tag team champions, beating Vitamin C for the FSW straps in Stockport to add to the BCW belts they already held in Scotland. They beat Vitamin C in a rematch at 'FutureShock 47' in September, followed by a BCW defence over Davey Blaze and Chris Rampage the same month. Blaze n' Rampage were to come out on top the next time, however, downing Hayes and Hope for the gold at 'No Blood, No Sympathy 8' in Kilmarnock that December. The pair kept tighter holder of their gold in FSW, though, coming through a program with 101% Proof to continue their reign to this day.

 

Elsewhere, Hayes appeared for DPW in West Yorkshire and NGW in Hull. In Morecambe for XWA, Joey has been part of a storyline where his former tag team partner in the Manchester Massive, Declan O'Connor, has repeatedly saved him from beatings and is trying to make amends after turning on Joey 3 years ago, but Joey is still distrustful of his former friend. Hayes also appeared as part of the Dragon Gate UK tour in 2010, falling to Cyber Kong on the first night. Further afield, Joey is somewhat of a regular for Dutch Pro Wrestling over in Holland, making numerous appearances over the 12 months.

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Great look, great in the ring, a pleasure to watch"

"Amazingly versatile wrestler, only match I've ever though 'meh' about was the 6 man tag at 1PW in Deeside. Amazing at getting a crowd going"

"One of the best British wrestlers in a decade"

"Never fails to put on a good match. Grippingly entertaining, everything is solid and crisp. One of my favourite wrestlers on the UK scene today"

"Somehow manages to be loved by EVERY crowd he works in front of. Has that

[ninevisions]

i lost 10 quid... never mind... well pleased for Jack, i hope he cracks top 10 next year

[steve rayson]

Just watched Jack for the first time against Zack Diamond on GPW's youtube channel and he really looks like an impressive young talent. Still a bit strange to see him in that spot, but I guess me not following the British scene as much as I use to has to be a factor.

[Big Benny HG]

No. 13 - Mikey Whiplash

Score: 278 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2011 votes: 5

2010 ranking: 33rd

(2009=27th; 2008=24th; 2007=NL; 2006=NL; 2005=NL)

 

 

Veteran British performer for All Star Wrestling, the 2011 UKFF UK50 period has seen Stoke's Mikey Whiplash appear for more different promotions than ever before, wowing different audiences and showing off the different styles of match in which he can be called master. The year has seen him hold noted singles and tag gold, though tag appearances have reduced due to the semi-retirement of regular partner Robbie Dynamite. In 2011, Whiplash achieves his highest ever UKFF UK50 ranking, having now featured in 4 consecutive lists.

 

Already the reigning World Mid-Heavyweight Champion, Whiplash beat Rampage Brown in a championship vs. championship match on ASW's October Hanley event to lift the UEWA European Heavyweight Title. The reign was to be short and not-so-sweet, however, since Whiplash was defeated for the UEWA belt later that same night in a defence against James Mason. Other All Star appearances has seen him tussle with Mark Haskins, Nathan Cruz and Tony Spitfire in singles bouts, as well as The Hunter Brothers, Frankie Sloane and Danny Driscoll in tag affairs. Continuing the European theme, Whiplash made tours of both France and Germany during this year's period.

 

Whiplash and Robbie Dynamite had already 'invaded' Kent's IPW:UK as "The All Stars" and played their part in the break up of The Kartel. At the '6th Anniversary Show' in August 2010, Whiplash and Dynamite beat the odd tag team of singles rivals Johnny Moss and Leroy Kincaide to qualify for a shot at the Undisputed British Tag Team Championship. The bout was to actually take place as the opening contest of the 2010 Dragon Gate tour, in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, in September. There, The All Stars downed the LDRS (Zack Sabre Jr and Marty Scurll) in a good match to surprise the fans and begin their first reign as IPW:UK's tag champs. The teams were rematched back in Sittinbourne at IPW:UK's 'Make or Break 2010' the following month. Taking the main event slot (as tag title bouts in IPW:UK often have), Whippy and Dynamite beat Zack and Marty again in a reportedly thrilling contest to retain the gold. The teams were matched for the belts a final time at the final Sittingbourne show of the year, where they would be joined by reigning PWG World Tag Team Champions Paul London and El Generico (iPeligro Abejas!) in a one-night round-robin for the gold. First, the All Stars were downed by the LDRS in a brilliant opener, before being bested by London and Generico in another cracker which guaranteed that they would lose their titles to one of the other teams (LDRS, as it turned out). Whiplash and Dynamite began the rebuilding process by beating the original Thrillers combination of Mark Haskins and Joel Redman in March 2011...

 

In March 2011, Whiplash made his return to Lancashire's Grand Pro Wrestling for the first time since 2005 to challenge new British Heavyweight Champion Zack Diamond. Having been there for the match, this is what I wrote about it at the time:

 

This was a superb match. Wonderfully paced, starting as the two exchanged holds and tried to one-up each other, presented as a fair athletic sporting contest. Gradually, it became more and more intense, heated and exciting; a gripping and enthralling slice of drama however you look at it. The whole house was rocking as the nearfalls, big moves and reversals kicked in

[Big Benny HG]

No. 12 - Joel Redman

Score: 279 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2011 votes: 2

2010 ranking: 18th

(2009=14th; 2008=39th; 2007=NL; 2006=NL; 2005=NL)

 

 

Devon's Mark Sloan product Joel Redman makes his fourth consecutive UKFF UK50 appearance, achieving his highest ever finish in the rankings. The "Physical Specimen" has spent the year competing predominantly for Premier Promotions, IPW:UK and FWA.

 

In the FWA, Redman was established as a member of the heel faction "The Agenda", a group of wrestlers led by Martin Stone which aimed to use British wrestling as part of a plot for bigger things. Alongside Stone, Dave Mastiff and Iestyn Rees (and later Alex Shane, David DeVille and Colossus), Redman spent the year fighting the FWA "Resistance" members, such as his protege Nick Riley, Sha Samuels, Bubblegum, Leroy Kincaide, Zack Diamond and Johnny Phere. Redman even travelled north to Morecambe to fight Phere in XWA, as Phere waged his path of destruction towards Alex Shane. The night after Redman's XWA excursion, he stayed in the north-west to answer the open challenge of "The Grappler" Jack Gallagher, going down in a cracker.

 

In the south-coast and south-east-based Premier Promotions, Redman has fought traditional rounds matches against Kris Kay, Marcus Baine and Karl Atlas over the course of the 2010 summer season residency at Bournemouth, as well as James Danmar, James Mason, Atlas, Josh Devonshire, Nick Riley, UK Dominator, Flash Barker and "Robbie Williams" on other Premier shows. Redman even lifted the promotion's International Heavyweight title when he defeated Dominator again back in Bournemouth in February 2011.

 

Staying in the south-east, Redman turned babyface and went after his former manager Gilligan Gordon when The Thrillers stable imploded. After beating Gordon's replacement Thriller James Tighe at the second time of asking in October, Redman finally got his hands on Gordon in the 3 vs. 3 elimination "Brawl at the Hall" bout in December, reforming his team with Mark Haskins and going through Wolf Alexander and Iestyn Rees before finally dishing out long-awaited justice. Since then, Redman and Haskins faced Mikey Whiplash and Robbie Dynamite in March 2011, before being defeated by Atsushi Aoki in a rematch of their Pro Wrestling NOAH UK bout from 2008.

 

Earlier this year, Redman received a try-out on the WWE UK tour and even appeared on the Friday Night SmackDown broadcast as one of Cody Rhodes' "bag men".

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Cracking physique, always enjoyable to watch. Never seen him in a below par match"

"Best body in UK today and has the skills to match"

"A naturally gifted athlete has improved massively in the last 2 years, one of the UK premier wrestlers"

"Joel's intensity is just amazing to watch in the ring, his match with Jack Gallagher at Futureshock 51 was a joy to behold"

"Solid worker, fantastic look, great matches. Deserved his alleged call up to the E"

"Great look, great skills, try out with WWE and he will look at home there"

"Watching him in Premier Promotions he has always been an exciting, durable and entertaining wrestler. Able to combine technical wrestling with some strong style and high flying thrown in. Decent body and very likeable"

"The charisma and mic skills obviously still need work. But this guy is intense, with a realistic style"

"Has added the missing piece to his game this year when I've seen him wrestle, and that's charisma. He had everything but before, and now he's got that his matches are of a top calibre"

"Never fails to put on great matches even when he is faced against an opponent who I struggle to connect with in a match. How has he not been picked up by WWE?"

"Amongst a sea of twinks who seem to be getting more and more unbelievable in matches and the huge guys that seem too big and awkward to move in the ring, Joel Redman is one of the more believable wrestlers in the UK"

"Having watched him for quit a few years now including his VPW stuff, always felt he didn't get the attention he deserved, and with his FWA stuff as just a small part of his work now, hopefully he should place higher than 18th on UKFF. Future wrestling star"

"Took a while for me to get over my hate [snubbed me for a high-5 one time] but Thrillers vs AllStars and recent fight with Eddie Reyes has made me turn a corner on him"

"I've seen him do Bournemouth Premier Promotions and the man is always impressive. Great look, wonderful personality, I've seen him be a die hard face and a detestable heel, plus he can have a good match with all sorts of people. I truly think he deserves this"

[Big Benny HG]

No. 11 - Kris Travis

Score: 285 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2011 votes: 1

2010 ranking: 6th

(2009=11th; 2008=19th; 2007=NL; 2006=NL; 2005=NL)

 

 

Sheffield's Kris Travis makes his 4th consecutive UKFF UK50 appearance, but just fails to retain his Top 10 position as he slips 5 placings in the rankings this year after some time away from the ring right in the middle of this year's eligibility period.

 

In South Yorkshire and the East Midlands, Travis continued to be a top star for NBW/GNP, where he faced Jamie Jewel, EL Ligero, Sam, Bailey, Matt Slater and Robbie X in July and August 2010, culminating in him winning the vacant NBW Championship in the battle royal main event of a show in Shirebrook village. All of the confusing myriad of NBW singles title holders then came together for a main event 4-way unification match in Warsop in October, where a single true 'NBW Champion' would be crowned. Travis beat Ligero, Joey Hayes and Danny Hope to become recognised as the group's official champion going forward. While all of this was going on, Trav continued to appear for West Yorkshire's DPW promotion, where he fought G-Man, T-Bone and Stixx, and then finally Dylan Roberts in October 2010.

 

Travis' return to action in March 2011 also saw him return to Teesside's 3 Count Wrestling for the first time in a year, appearing there as a babyface for the first time. After beating Lance Thunder at 'Free For All 8', Travis went on to beat "American Idol" Iain Robinson in good matches in April and May. That month also saw Travis resurrect his 'Project Ego' tag team with Martin Kirby for AJ Spitfire's latest promotional effort. First, Travis and Kirby fell in defeat to Mohmed Ameen and Val Kabious, leading to them facing each other in a singles match later in the night. Kirby came out on top. Project Ego then returned to 1PW a fortnight later, where they fought to a no contest against "Manhatten Project", a long-hyped heel stable which actually only turned out to be US wrestlers Rhino and Conrad Kennedy III. The previous evening in the promotion, however, Travis had fought for the vacant 1PW Openweight Title and then formed a new heel stable with Joey Hayes, Bubblegum and Sam Bailey called "The Future of Wrestling"....

 

In the promotion which would eventually come to be known as Preston City Wrestling, Travis defended the NBW Championship he still held in main event victories over Joey Hayes in March 2011 and then Douglas Williams in June. He then turned up in Hull for NGW, where Project Ego beat CJ Banks and Rockstar Spud in the first round of the Tag Team Title tournament, but have since been dumped out of the running in their semi-final against Paul Malen and Joe Conners last weekend.

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Have been a huge fan of his from the start, gets my vote here by being consistently brilliant whatever role he plays in a show. Credit to the UK scene"

"Where he has had the opportunity to wrestle, he

[Big Benny HG]

Your 2011 UKFF UK50 Top 10:

 

(alphabetical order, 2010 position shown)

 

Dave Mastiff (2)

El Ligero (4)

James Mason (26)

Johnny Moss (7)

Mark Haskins (8)

Martin Kirby (9)

Marty Scurll (15)

Rockstar Spud (3)

Stixx (12)

Zack Sabre Jr (5)

 

This means that Spud is secure as the only man in the history of the UKFF UK50 to be ranked in the Top 10 in all 7 years it has been running.

 

Does this list represent the best 10 performers in UK wrestling? If not, who shouldn't be in there? Who should be there instead? What do you think the top 5 and 3 will look like? Who will be this year's winner?

[Whiskey_Jim]

I think T-Bone should be in the top ten and certainly higher than some of the guys above him but if he keeps jumping ten places a year it wont be long

[mackie]

James Mason is certainly a shock for the Top 10 he is very good but i probably wouldn't call him better than some of the top 15.

 

But otherwise who i expected in the top 10

[Mark Sloan]

I reckon the 10 will end like this (Which isn't to say it is my preference) but this is the way I reckon it will play out

 

1 Zack Sabre Jr (5)

2 Mark Haskins (8)

3 Marty Scurll (15)

4 Dave Mastiff (2)

5 Rockstar Spud (3)

6 El Ligero (4)

7 Martin Kirby (9)

8 Johnny Moss (7)

9 James Mason (26)

10 Stixx (12)