2012 UKFF UK50 - RESULTS THREAD

[drew4primeminister]

Hmmm - No.33 please?!

[SSJLogan]

Hmmm - No.33 please?!

 

This takes an awful lot of work and Benny is probably busy. He'll get back to the list when he can.

[hbkforest]

It does take a lot of work and Benny does a fine job with it, think we are all just eager to see the rest of the list

[Big Benny HG]

Hello,

 

I'm on holiday at the moment; countdown will resume when I'm back.

 

Ta.

[Big Benny HG]

Not to mention, I spent a whole night showing Benny the time of his life

Lies.

 

Possibly.

 

No. 32: Kid Fite

Score: 89 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2012 votes: 0

Percentage of 2012 ballots including Kid Fite: 24.6%

(2011=27th, 2010=28th, 2009=43rd, 2008=45th, 2007=NL, 2006=NL, 2005=NL)

 

Photo credit: Tony Knox

 

A slight drop in the rankings this year, though Glasgow's Kid Fite claims his fifth UKFF UK50 appearance in a year in which he has featured in Scotland, England, Denmark and

. Fite continues to be the promoter behind Premier British Wrestling, running 13 live events during the 2012 eligibility period. As with previous years, though, Fite still has not appeared in the ring on any of his shows. His in-ring expolits north of the border have therefore taken in ICW, BCW, SWA, W4L, PWE.

 

In ICW, Fite represented the promotion in their war with the Gold Label, the heel faction comprised of James Scott, Wolfgang, Red Lightning and an increasingly disillusioned Lionheart. They fought over singles matches, tag matches, 3 vs. 3s, 4 vs. 4s,

and

, often with insane results....and tea-bagging. Since then in the promotion, Fite was knocked out of the Heavyweight Title contendership tournament by Mikey Whiplash, then reformed his well-known 'Fight Club' team with Liam Thomson.

 

Over in BCW, heel Fite has led his 'Aggression' stable of Stevie Xavier, Davey Blaze, Chris Rampage and TJ Rage into battle with Thomson, 'Highlander' Colin McKay and other babyfaces. Just before the end of the 2012 UKFF UK50 season, Kid beat England's Joey Hayes in East Kilbride.

 

In England itself, Fite appeared in the north-east for

and in the 6-sided ring of Complete Revolutionary Wrestling, including a wild England vs. Scotland 6-man tag at the 'Blood, Sweat & Beers' nightclub show in Newcastle. He's also featured for PPW in the West Midlands, and as part of the invading PBW force in Preston City Wrestling, where he and Thomson have just won the promotion's inaugural tag team championship.

 

What did the UKFF think?

"gimmick in ICW is amazing"

 

"Always solid, criminally underated as a wrestler"

 

"Great Daethmatch on PPW vs Tommy Gunn got best out of him"

 

"One half of my favourite tag team"

 

"amongst the very best not just in Scotland but the whole UK"

 

"teabagging and street fighting go hand in hand"

 

"Another one in the "always solid" camp"

 

"Intense, wrestler whos style is simple and unspectacular but effective"

[Big Benny HG]

No. 31: Wolfgang

Score: 89 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2012 votes: 0

Percentage of 2012 ballots including Wolfgang: 19.3%

(2011=NL, 2010=49th, 2009=49th, 2008=22nd, 2007=15th, 2006=44th, 2005=NL)

 

RIGHT, with Lionheart & Tommyboi

Photo credit: www.pbwwrestling.com

 

Scotland's Wolfgang returns to the UKFF UK50 after a one-year absence from the rankings to achieve his highest ranking since 2008. 'Gang was tied on both points and number of individual 1st place rankings with Kid Fite, so gets the higher place due to the superior number of individual 2nd place rankings (1 vs. 0). A former heavyweight champion in most of the Scottish promotions, Wolfgang has appeared almost exclusively north of the border during the 2012 UKFF UK50 eligibility period.

 

In Glasgow's Insane Championship Wrestling, Wolfgang was part of the Gold Label and feuded with top babyfaces Kid Fite, Chris Renfrew and others as already described in Fite's write-up above. He then moved on to unsuccessfully challenge ICW Champion BT Gunn in April and May 2012 (the latter being a 4-way also including James Scott and Jack Jester), then reformed his T2K tag team with Scott for the Tag Team Title tournament, only to crash out in the first round to the Bucky Boys. Wolfgang and Scott also reformed in BCW, where T2K dethroned Blaze n' Rampage for the tag straps in February, then retained against the former champs in a March rematch. They also teamed up for SWA, but were unable to gain the Unified Tag Team Titles.

 

Wolfgang has also carried tag gold in PBW, where he and career rival/buddy Lionheart reigned as doubles champions for the entire season following their April 2011 win over Final Cut (Liam Thomson & Noam Dar). Successful defences have included wins over Scott Maverick & TJ Rage, Blaze n' Rampage, Maverick & Red Lightning, and English teams Project Ego (Martin Kirby & Kris Travis), Johnny Moss & Mikey Whiplash, Max Angelus & Nathan Cruz, and Stixx & Colossus.

 

Back in singles action, Wolfgang has faced Highlander, Lionheart and Joe Coffey for the new Pro Wrestling Elite organisation, and headed over to TNA feeder group Ohio Valley Wrestling in Kentucky, USA for a short spell in May 2012.

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Back on form after a couple of average years, style is excelent as heel and face, entertaining as both"

 

"Someone who can work any type of match and a very agile guy for someone his size. Love to watch him"

 

"can fair move for a big unit from the top ropes"

 

"Another underrated wrestler, too many people go on about how good he "was" as if he isn't brilliant now"

 

"He's been better than ever. Just a big nasty bastard. Love him right now"

[Big Benny HG]

Your 2012 Top 30 is therefore going to be made up of:

 

(alphabetical order)

 

Andy Wild

Bubblegum

CJ Banks

Dave Mastiff

Dave Rayne

Dean Allmark

El Ligero

Jack Gallagher

James Scott

Joey Hayes

Johnny Moss

Joseph Connors

Kris Travis

Lionheart

Mad Man Manson

Mark Andrews

Mark Haskins

Martin Kirby

Marty Scurll

Mikey Whiplash

MK McKinnan

Nathan Cruz

Noam Dar

Paul Malen

Rampage Brown

Red Lightning

Rockstar Spud

Stixx

Zack 'Diamond' Gibson

Zack Sabre Jr

 

A fair top 30?

[robbo9292]

Quite nice to see MK has broke the top 30

[I Bent My Wookie]

I have a feeling MK, Rayne and Mark Andrews may all break the top 20. But only time will tell, love this list as always Benny

[Southside crew]

I have a feeling MK, Rayne and Mark Andrews may all break the top 20. But only time will tell, love this list as always Benny

 

 

MK being high is a real achievement as I think he only wrestled once outside FCP in the qualifying period.

[Big Benny HG]

No. 30: Zack 'Diamond' Gibson

Score: 94 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2012 votes: 1

Percentage of 2012 ballots including Zack Gibson: 28.1%

(2011=45th, 2010=NL, 2009=NL, 2008=NL, 2007=NL, 2006=NL, 2005=NL)

 

Photo (before his recent haircut) credit - Tony Knox

 

Zack 'Diamond' Gibson comes back for his 2nd UKFF UK50 ranking, shooting up 15 places in the standings. Gibson has established himself as a regular across the north of England for FSW, GPW, NGW, RWA and in Wales for BWP, but has also been in request for a few appearances in London town. This year, he has also started up Infinite Promotions in his hometown of Liverpool.

 

Returning from a brief injury lay-off over the summer of 2011, Zack beat Scottish sensation Noam Dar at FSW #54 in Stockport last October, advancing from the opening round of the annual FutureShock Trophy Tournament. The semi-finals took place at FSW #55 the following month, with Gibson besting the massive Cyanide to book his place in final later that same evening. There, Zack came up short in his quest to gain the Trophy, defeated by CJ Banks. Banks beat Gibson again in a January 2012 rematch thanks to the interference of his buddy Dave Rayne. This set up a tag match at FSW #57, where Gibson took FSW Champion, and Rayne's top rival, Jack Gallagher as his partner to defeat the dastardly duo. By now, the issue between Gibson and Rayne had taken over as the main feud and the pair clashed in multi-man matches at FSWs #58 and #59,

, the first of its kind in FutureShock Wrestling, which took place in Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music after the end of the 2012 UKFF UK50 eligibility period. In case you were wondering, Zack downed Dave to settle their score, and claim the number one contendership to the FSW Championship (which, as of that night, is currently held by Davey Richards...).

 

Over in GPW, Zack Diamond had dropped his British Title to rival Jack Gallagher on the last show before the summer break, then returned into an issue with Danny Hope. Hope was becoming increasingly frustrated at his run of bad luck and lack of opportunities, and targeted Diamond as one to have benefited from his misfortune. Hope's heel turn was complete when he attacked Zack moments before he was due to take part in the 6 vs. 6 Torneo Cibernetico elimination bout at 'Night of the Brave' then, to rub salt in the wound, took an injured Diamond's place in the match. The pair faced off in singles competition on the year-ending 'Do or Die' card, with Hope resorting to using brass knuckles behind the referee's back in order to score the win. Zack's 2012 in GPW so far has seen him take part in numerous multiman bouts, including a 6-way 'Money in the Bank' match (won by Hope, disguised as masked ninja Ken-Zen), two 6-man tags and an 8-man 'Survivor Series' elimination bout. Diamond was also the first victim of El Ligero's new mysterious masked enemy, El Oscuro, at 'Battlefield II' in June.

 

Elsewhere, a heel Gibson teams with Sam Bailey to form Team GB for Hull-based NGW. He also represents Team Liverpool in the British Wrestling Premier League concept (hosted by Infinite Promotions and BWP so far, fought under World of Sport rules) and took part in a 3-way with Darrell Allen and Xander Cooper on the first THIS IS PROGRESS show in central London in March. The following month, he was back in The Smoke again, facing former GPW and FSW nemesis Gallagher in an exhibition match for BritWresFest 2012.

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Great wrestler, great babyface, always improving"

 

"Great babyface, gets the crowd behind him"

 

"Get's better and better each time"

 

"Think been amazing last year and gets better everytime i see him"

 

"Superb just superb intensity aggression coupled with moves and a attitude the fans clicked with him instantly hes gonna get better should be in top 10 of ukff50"

 

"Great, flexible performer. Developed a great look in the last 12-18 months. A real star of the future!"

 

"Great underdog for GPW, and I was pretty much the only guy cheering for him in the Scarlo Scholarship match at Progress Chapter One... seems to have gone a bit quiet recently, possibly due to his involvement in Infinite Promotions in Liverpool."

 

"Something appealingly weird about this boy, half Facey face, half monster"

 

"pleased to see him getting some recognition, great as half of Team GB in NGW and a great feud with Dave Rayne at Futureshock"

[Big Benny HG]

No. 29: Dean Allmark

Score: 96 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2012 votes: 1

Percentage of 2012 ballots including Dean Allmark: 24.6%

(2011=42nd, 2010=NL, 2009=NL, 2008=NL, 2007=NL, 2006=NL, 2005=NL)

 

Photo credit - Tony Knox

 

Whether you know him as Dean 2Xtreme, Extreme Dean, Deano or plain old Dean Allmark, the man from Stoke-on-Trent scores his 2nd ever UKFF UK50 appearance, improving last year's ranking by 13 places.

 

Deano has continued to be a firm part of the touring roster of All Star Wrestling, the promotion he has now called home since 2001. Reigning as British Heavyweight Champion, Allmark feuded with James Mason over the 2011 weekly summer season in Rhyl, North Wales (see Mason's write-up at #41 for match links), fought Mark Haskins in

, tangled with Nathan Cruz all over the country, including a

, and engaged in regular battle with his biggest rival over the past few years, Rampage Brown. Deano and Brown waged war, particularly in Croydon's historic Fairfield Halls, in

, a

, and finally a

in March 2012 where Dean finally lost the gold to Brown. The pair were rematched in Gravesend the following month, but Deano was unable to unseat the new champion.

 

Away from All Star, Dean featured in IPW:UK's British Cruiserweight Championship tournament, first beating Max Angelus in a really good match at 'Summer Sizzler 2011', then returning to Sittingbourne for the '7th Anniversary Show' in November to fall to Marty Scurll in a

. Further north, Allmark failed to unseat regular All Star opponent Nathan Cruz as the NGW Champion in Hull, then participated in consecutive 4-way matches (including a

) over his next appearances there. He also made his way to Preston City Wrestling for encounters with Dave Mastiff, Noam Dar and Dar, Zack Sabre Jr and Joey Hayes in a 4-way.

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Watching Dean from a young age at All Star Wrestling, he always brings a unique presence to any night of wrestling. Combining his high flying abilities with some of the best technical wrestling that the British wrestling scene has to offer. A fantastic baby face and overall great guy to watch"

 

"Since seeing Dean outside of All Star and not wrestling to their version of Pro Wrestling he has blown me away with just how good he is. Technically good, hard hitting and high flying matches with Marty Scurll and Noam Dar, not to mention numerous multi man matches have stolen the show at IPW and PCW and highlighted Dean as one of the exciting guys on the UK scene"

 

"Great performer who can get ANY crowd behind him. Proved that on his NGW debut in September when he was put straight into the main event. Zero reaction on entrance, hailed as a hero despite defeat on his exit"

 

"One of the only guys in the UK being really innovative"

[Big Benny HG]

No. 28: Red Lightning

Score: 98 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2012 votes: 0

Percentage of 2012 ballots including Red Lightning: 17.5%

(2011=NL, 2010=48th, 2009=46th, 2008=NL, 2007=40th, 2006=42nd, 2005=NL)

 

Photo credit - www.insanewrestling.co.uk

 

Glasgow's Red Lightning has been in and out of the UKFF UK50 during its 8-year existence, but in 2012 he returns to the rankings by way of the Stage Two decider to earn his 5th appearance in the final 50. This year also sees him clinch his highest ever finish, after never previously making his way out of the 40s. A familiar face to Scottish fans since 2003, Lightning has appeared exclusively in his homeland over the duration of the 2012 UKFF UK50 eligibility period, capturing major singles gold.

 

As has previously been mentioned in other write-ups, Red Lightning played a central role in the Gold Label, the lead heel faction in the underground Insane Championship Wrestling promotion, appearing numerous times on their short-lived TV show on MyChannel. The Gold Label's feud with ICW babyfaces saw him clash with BT Gunn, Chris Renfrew, Jack Jester and Kid Fite in some wild brawls. While all of this was going on, all was not well within Camp Gold and unrest set in as Lionheart distanced himself from the gang and found himself at odds with Lightning, Wolfgang and James Scott. This led to Lightning and Lionheart facing each other in an impromptu singles match on the undercard of the "Square Go!" show in January 2012, L'heart leaving with his hand raised and still tension amongst the group. The story would continue later that night during the titular 'Square Go' 30-man rumble (actually held the same night as WWE Royal Rumble). Everyone thought that it had come down to Lionheart and Chris Renfrew as the final 2, with Lionheart winning as he dumped Renfrew over the ropes. Lightning, however, had not been officially eliminated and returned from hiding at the end to throw his stablemate out of the ring and win the whole thing. Lionheart marked his official babyface turn and split from the Gold Label by destroying Lightning afterwards. Lightning followed up on his rumble win with a singles victory over Johnny Moss in February, putting him right at the top.

 

While all of this was going on, Red Lightning continued to appear for Premier British Wrestling across Scotland, facing BT Gunn, Stevie Xavier, Blaze n' Rampage, and teaming with Shelly Star to beat JD Bravo and Kay Lee Ray in a mixed tag. Then, citing issues away from the ring, Lightning disappeared from the scene altogether, seemingly done with wrestling...

 

...only to make a

to ICW at 'In Your Gaff' in June, using his rumble win to set up a match with BT Gunn right there and then, just moments after Gunn had successfully defended against Lionheart. The ever-hated Lightning won in a matter of seconds to lift the ICW Heavyweight Championship. These events put Lightning into conflict with ICW promoter Mark Dallas, which had a direct impact on the Lightning vs. Gunn rematch the following month

, where Dallas' attempted interference backfired and resulted in Lighting retaining the gold. The pair would fight again, this time over in PBW for Gunn's other Heavyweight strap, but this time Lightning was unable to get the upper hand.

 

After the end of the 2012 UKFF UK50 eligibility period, in the upset to end all upsets, Red Lightning lost the ICW belt to the ultimate underdog, the massively popular Grado, at

in front of a red hot audience. Lightning protested the result, however, meaning a

was set up at the end of the show, Lightning restoring normality by retaining the Championship after a belt shot.

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Finally gone to that next level, had personal problems which meant he left for two months, but the other 10 months have been excelent"

 

"Had a fantastic year depsite personal tragedy, can work any match in any situation. Would love to see this guys get a contract somewhere because he seems like the type of worker who just takes whatever ball he can get and runs to the hills with it. Always tells a story. Can see his character fitting into Dragon Gate."

 

"ICW Champion. Best heel in the UK and one of the best mic workers in the UK. Tends to have matches where every move matters and everything means something. English promotions should take a look. Fantastic in-ring persona and character. You only have to look at his Twitter to see the trouble he can cause"

 

"can work a crowd round his little finger, great on the mic and an excellent grappler. ( a fans favourite even as a heel)"

 

"I hate to admit it, he is one of the most entertaining wrestlers I have seen. A talker who finally got the title he deserved"

 

"The best on the mic in Scotland and his matches are solid at the very worst. You see Lightning on a card and you know you'll get something worth watching"

[Big Benny HG]

No. 27: Rampage Brown

Score: 100 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2012 votes: 0

Percentage of 2012 ballots including Rampage Brown: 21.1%

(2011=NL, 2010=NL, 2009=NL, 2008=NL, 2007=NL, 2006=NL, 2005=NL)

 

 

At the start of the 2012 UKFF UK50 season, Leeds' "Monty Lynch" was plying his trade in Florida under a WWE developmental contract. When he was released, however, he returned to the UK and Rampage 'Bad News' Brown was back in domestic rings almost immediately. Prior to his 6-month US excursion, Brown had been an almost-exclusive All Star Wrestling performer. On his return, he has been right back in the thick of things in ASW, but has also appeared more regularly outside the promotion, particularly for New Generation Wrestling in Hull, but also for Southside Wrestling Entertainment, North East Wrestling Society, Premier British Wrestling, Infinite Promotions, UKW and Preston City Wrestling. On top of all this, Rampage Brown claims his first ever UKFF UK50 appearance.

 

In All Star, Brown faced Shadow Warrior, Shinya Ishikawa, Jonny Storm, Mark Haskins, James Mason and David Michele, and feuded with Dean Allmark over the ASW/Super Slam Wrestling British Heavyweight Championship (see Allmark's write-up at #29 above for match links). In Croydon this past March, Rampage defeated Deano in a Falls Count Anywhere match to regain the big belt he last held in 2010. That same month, Brown added the NGW Title to his collection...

 

He had been on a tear through the East Yorkshire promotion since debuting in October 2011, besting Marin Kirby, Avian, Allmark, Zack Gibson and Joey Hayes,

. At 'Destiny', Brown beat Myers to claim the title and become a double Heavyweight singles champion. Since then, he has retained the belt at central London's 'BritWresFest 2012' against El Ligero and Nathan Cruz in a 3-way and beaten both Colossus and Stixx in superheavyweight singles collisions.

 

Rampage was also in the mix for third, fourth and fifth Heavyweight titles, those being the SWE title held by T-Bone, the PBW title of BT Gunn, and the UKW title of Valkabious. At 'Notorious II' in St Neots, Herts, however, it would be former WWE superstar Rene Dupree who would leave with the SWE strap, downing 'Bone and Brown in a triple-threat, whereas it was Gunn that beat Rampage to retain the PBW belt in the main event of 'Breaking Limits 7' in Ayr. Finally, in Wakefield, Brown had

to earn the UKW shot, but 'MVK' Valkabious was to defeat his fellow Leeds man in their title match shown on MyChannel TV.

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Big , Strong and Fast what more could you ask for ? Maybe a bit more personality ?"

 

"Having seen Rampage perform at UKW, All Star and NGW this year, he certainly has the image of a wrestler and as a heel, genuinely comes across as intimidating to any audience member. His profound in ring ability makes his wrestling look like an art form, but still keeps his work looking as brutal as a bare knuckle pub fight"

 

"Back in the UK, and showing every bit of the polish he acquired Stateside. Working with the best UK talents he produces matches of such quality they wouldn't be out of place on a WWE house show. Match with Ligs back in November was one such example"

 

"So believable in everything he does. America's loss is our gain (back). His storytelling makes him the complete package"

 

"Upon seeing him for the first time since his US stint, you don't think there's much to Rampage. His look seems a little generic and he's not going to wow you with his overall size either. However, the experience he has had means he has something that very few workers on the UK circuit have today. In terms of in ring polish and smoothness, simply the best I've seen this year. His matches with El Ligero, Stixx and others took on a whole new level of what UK wrestling could be"

 

"Another heavyweight but some great moments since his return to the UK scene on a FT basis"

 

"only seen him in person once and thought this is like being close to a wwe ring"

[HarmonicGenerator]

Never seen Rampage Brown before but he's got a great look. Why was he released from developmental?