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The 2013 UKFF UK50


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No. 11: Stixx

Score: 131 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2013 votes: 1

Previous UK50 Rankings: 2012=9th, 2011=6th, 2010=12th, 2009=22nd, 2008=14th, 2007=30th, 2006=26th, 2005=50th

Twitter: @Stixx_1

 

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Photo credit: Brett Hadley & Southside Wrestling Entertainment

 

Nottingham's 'Heavyweight House of Pain' is back for his ninth UKFF UK50 appearance, making him another of the four to have been included every single year.

 

As the head of the House of Pain factlity, Stixx has been cast as one of the lead heels in SWE in an inter-promotional storyline, where won the Heavyweight Title in beating Mark Haskins in a wild match at 'Supremacy'. He would defend against Martin Kirby and T-Bone, then beat Haskins again, this time in a Last Man Standing bout at the SWE vs. HOP 'Ill Manors' event. He would come unstuck that same night, however, as Max Angelus cashed-in SWE's version of the Money In The Bank briefcase there and then to take the gold. Southside also saw Stixx battle international guest stars such as Davey Richards, Colt Cabana, Jigsaw and Kevin Steen, before he beat Angelus in their rematch to take back the Championship.

 

Elsewhere, Stixx faced Haskins, Nathan Cruz, Rampage Brown and others for the Hull-based NGW, made regular appearances for THIS IS PROGRESS Wrestling in London and collided with fellow heavyweights Dave Mastiff and Big Van Walter in Revolution Pro Wrestling/IPW:UK. He also featured in 'dark' matches on the first two nights of the 2013 Dragon Gate UK tour in Hoddesdon, Herts, as wellas starring for AWW, FutureShock Wrestling, LCW, HXC and more.

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Another big man who is right up there with Mastiff as the best of his weight class. The past year Stixx has had some great matches with Mark Haskins, Davey Richards and most recently Kevin Steen in Southside and shown some good character and promo work as the leader of the House of Pain faction. He has also made a handful of appearances in Rev Pro where he has impressed. Stixx has shown he is equally adept at playing the big man in a David vs Goliath scenario or can keep the pace and go head to head with smaller quicker opponents in their style of match. And it's that flexibility that makes him such a good person to have on your card"

 

"Stixx is playing a great character in southside. Come along way from his phil mitchell days. Notable matches against steen and haskins fir southside"

 

"Just fantastic"

 

"Stixx ranks purely on the occasions I have seen him at Southside Wrestling shows. Had a heated storyline driven match with Kevin Steen at Risky Business 2 which satisfied the ongoing saga of Stixx vs Southside Wrestling. However the real story at this show was the angle which occurred after this match. Stixx kidnapped the wife of the SWE promoter and demanded a Heavyweight Championship match. The angle was extremely convincing which raised the tension in the building and Stixx came across as a genuinely frightening individual. The next time I saw Stixx wrestle for Southside was at Speed King 2, where he battled Jigsaw in an encounter in which Stixx must have been studying the heel handbook as all the tactics came out in this one resulting in an effective heel vs babyface match. Outside of Southside also saw Stixx compete for Progress and Dragon Gate where he left no last impression on either crowds. The Southside stuff though is top grade stuff"

 

"Has proved time and time again how versitile he is having fantastic matches with international and UK talent including amazing contests with Davey Richards , Kevin Steen and Mark Haskins"

 

"starting to fall under the category of "could have a good match with a broom", his versatility means lots of different style matches every time you see him"

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Sorry Benny if you wanted to post this but this means a top 10 of:

 

Dave Mastiff

El Ligero

Joey Hayes

Kris Travis

Mad Man Manson

Mark Haskins

Martin Kirby

Noam Dar

Rampage Brown

Zack Sabre Jr

 

I think it's fair as I would want to see any of these 10 on any British card. Ligero for #1 three years running?

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No. 10: Joey Hayes

Score: 141 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2013 votes: 0

Previous UK50 Rankings: 2012=15th, 2011=14th, 2010=10th, 2009=9th, 2008=5th, 2007=39th, 2006=NL, 2005=47th

Twitter: @TheJoeyHayes

Entrance theme:

- Oasis (PCW) /
- Ian Brown (GPW) /
- Prima J (FutureShock, Infinite & HXC)

 

fpld.jpg

Photo credit: Gordon Harris & Preston City Wrestling

 

An eighth UKFF UK50 appearance in nine years for Leigh's Joey Hayes, marking a return to the Top 10 for the first time since 2010. Hayes continues to work for virtually every wrestling promotion in the north-west of England, as well as some a little further afield and his regular trips to Scotland for Pro Wrestling Elite.

 

In Preston City Wrestling, Joey mainly competed in 6-way, 4-way and 3-way matches on the undercard until turning heel at the conclusion of a triple-threat against El Ligero and Noam Dar in September. Since then, he has been one of the top singles stars on the roster, facing BT Gunn, Noam Dar and Andy Wild, and competing against Lionheart in the latter's 'retirement' match. In February 2013 at the 'Road To Glory' tournament, Hayes bested former WWE star Paul London in the opening round, received a bye in the quarter-finals and beat Super Crazy in the semi-finals, before losing out to Noam Dar in one of the best UK matches of the year in the grand final. After a Rumble appearance in April, the 'Supershow 2' weekend at the end of May saw Joey contest further superb efforts against El Ligero, Kris Travis & Martin Kirby in a 4-way on Night One and then Kirby in a singles match the next afternoon, before wrapping up the weekend with a Heavyweight Title shot against Doug Williams. Since then, Hayes has lost out in the 'Money In The Bank' Ladder Match to Kris Travis, STOLE the briefcase during Travis' attempted cash-in, won the briefcase outright by beating Travis in a Ladder match and ended 2013 by losing to Travis in a Hair vs. Hair match, but I guess I'll describe all that next year...

 

Wigan's Grand Pro Wrestling saw Hayes have to step out of two tag bouts mid-match due to injury, but the same night as the second of those occasions found supposed best mate Martin Kirby's offer of an open challenge at the Heavyweight Title too good to turn down. Hayes and Kirby fought to a double-pin in October and then a no-contest in their November rematch. The competition between them saw their friendship tested, with their problems paving the way for Cyanide to beat them both in a 3-way on the year-end show to win the belt. The pair clashed again in matches throughout the first half of 2013, before Hayes finally got a decisive win over his rival at the promotion's 10th anniversary event in July. After that one, Kirby's temper boiled over, finally turning on Hayes and ensuring the feud will continue well into 2014.

 

As well as his noted singles performances, for FutureShock Wrestling, Infinite Promotions and HXC Wrestling, Hayes also performs as 'Hotstuff Hayes' as part of the flamboyant 'Models' tag team with 'Delicious' Danny Hope. For all the details on that one, read Hope's own UKFF UK50 entry at #36...

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Has gone from under card to upper card at PCW with some great standout matches"

 

"Phenomenal year for Joey turned heel in PCW, and has gone from strength to strength with good showings vs everyone, great as part of the Models as well elsewhere in Infinite and Futureshock"

 

"Much improved wrestler and fantastic sneering dickhead heel. Thinks on his feet too"

 

"His tag team work with The Models has been excellent fun, working with everyone in Futureshocks' extremely healthy tag team division. Singles action at PCW and GPW has impressed as well"

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No. 9: Mad Man Manson

Score: 147 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2013 votes: 0

Previous UK50 Rankings: 2012=8th, 2011=16th, 2010=25th, 2009=21st, 2008=28th, 2007=22nd, 2006=NL, 2005=NL

Twitter: @madmanmanson

Entrance theme:

- Madness

 

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Photo credit - Gordon Harris & Preston City Wrestling

 

Irish funnyman's 'unique' take on pro wrestling earns him his seventh appearance within the ranks of the UKFF UK50. Sure, there are other 'comedy' wrestlers, but there is only one Mad Man Manson...

 

PCW saw Manson's 'Disco Madness' team with Sam Bailey challenge for the tag team titles on consecutive shows in August and September before the Mad Man continued to do his thing in the singles ranks. Davey Blaze, Carmel Jacob and Bubblegum all came up against the shenanigans, with the latter marking the start of an on-off feud-of-sorts with 'Gum's Team Single. Bubblegum beat Manson on the afternoon pre-show at 'Festive Fury', then teamed with T-Bone to defeat the reformed Disco Madness on the main evening show. From there, Manson became involved in a series against Dave Mastiff, who proved the perfect straight man to Manson's antics. After the pair fought to a no-contest in February, Manson got the better of 'The Bastard' at 'Spring Slam' in April, where he was cornered by legendary 'Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase in a bizarre 'Million Dollar Dream' match.

 

At the PCW 'Supershow 2' weekend a month later, Manson first became involved in the Dave Rayne vs. Goldust feud, teaming with the former Intercontinental Champion in losing to Rayne & CJ Banks on the first night. Then, on Day Two, it was back to the issues with Team Single, as first Disco Madness fell to 'Singletons' T-Bone & Rampage Brown in the afternoon, ahead of Manson taking on leader Bubblegum in the evening. That one was notable for Manson deciding he wanted to do an 'indy' match, dropping everyone's jaws when he broke a CANADIAN DESTROYER out of nowhere. Since then, Manson has been permanently linked with Danny Hope in appearances that have become more and more RIDICULOUS.....

 

Elsewhere, Manson has faced The Predators, particularly Joseph Conners, in various singles and tag matches for SWE, culminating in a Blindfold match at 'Notorious III'. Other opponents there have included T-Bone, SC Supreme and RJ Singh, with other appearances coming for NGW, AWW, NBWA, IPW:UK, HXC and more. In May, Manson travelled to Scotland for a one-of-a-kind showdown with Grado in PBW...

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Again, a fantastic entertainer, but also has great psychology as to what works and what doesn't. It's an acquired taste, but those that like Manson, love his antics it seems, so he's definitely hitting the right notes with some"

 

"Manson has always been that guy you will have on a show if you want variety. For being able to compete and to entertain the crowd with his antics he deserves to be up there with these guys. Also check out his interviews for Preston City Wrestling"

 

"The premier comedy wrestler in the UK and a welcome addition and variety to any card he appears on. Manson never fails to get the crowd laughing and along with his staples and established gags he uses all the time this past year has seen him bring out some new spots and jokes to ensure he keeps his act fresh and original. His long running tormenting of the Predators in Southside have been hilarious and his recent Million Dollar Dream match and interactions with both Mastiff and Bubblegum in PCW have been genius. And despite all of the imports and great wrestling on the last PCW shows, Manson

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No. 8: Rampage Brown

Score: 148 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2013 votes: 1

Previous UK50 Rankings: 2012=27th, 2011=NL, 2010=NL, 2009=NL, 2008=NL, 2007=NL, 2006=NL, 2005=NL

Twitter: @RampageBrown

 

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Photo credit - Chris Evers (CEDigital Photography) & New Generation Wrestling

 

A second-ever appearance within the UKFF UK50 for former WWE developmental performer Rampage Brown. Hailing from 'dirty' Leeds in West Yorkshire, the imposing and intimidating heavyweight bruiser has long been a key member of the All-Star Wrestling roster, often presented as the top heel and leader of the World Riot Squad. This year has seen him hold both the Superslam Heavyweight Title and one half of the British Tag Team Titles, facing opponents like James Mason, El Ligero and Dean Allmark in town halls across the country...

 

Made his debut for Preston City Wrestling in August 2012 at the first anniversary event against Kris Travis. Didn't feature again until April the following year, where he competed as part of the 30-man rumble, during which he joined forces with Bubblegum and T-Bone as the latest member of 'Team Single'. Competed in a wonderful heavyweight 4-way on the first night of 'Supershow 2' against Chris Masters, Dave Mastiff and Johnny Moss, then created a formidable tag team unit with T-Bone on the second day, blasting away Mad Man Manson & Sam Bailey as a warm-up on the afternoon show before winning the PCW Tag Team Titles from the legendary Steiner Brothers on the main card (in a 3-way featuring Fight Club)... Now actually forming one of the very best tag team wrestling acts in the country, Rampage & T-Bone have since gone on to defend their gold against Dave Mastiff & Cyanide, El Ligero & Martin Kirby and Dean Allmark & Robbie Dynamite...

 

Continued to be a regular for New Generation Wrestling in Hull, where he entered the 2013 UKFF UK50 eligibility period as the reigning NGW Heavyweight Champion. Notched up defences against Colossus Kennedy, Matt Myers and Stixx, before walking away, declaring he had beaten everyone and that he would never come back to defend the championship.... NGW crowned a new champion in his absence, before Rampage eventually returned in the summer of 2013...

 

Down south, Brown debuted for THIS IS PROGRESS at 'Chapter Five' as a babyface against the hated Nathan Cruz. Returned at 'Chapter Seven' to supposedly face Cruz and Mark Haskins as part of a six-man tag main event, but instead turned on partners Marty Scurll and 'MR WRESTLING' Paul Robinson at the opening bell, announcing his alliance with Cruz & Haskins' 'SCREW INDY WRESTLING' faction... Beat El Ligero for the PROGRESS Championship in the terrific main event of 'Chapter Eight'. After the UKFF UK50 period, went on to defend against Doug Williams and Stixx on subsequent shows, but after beating the latter saw Mark Andrews claim the title shot he earned earlier that night and take the title in a quick bout (who subsequently immediately lost the title HIMSELF to another guaranteed title shot in what sounds like an awesome angle.....)... Staying in the south-east, aligned himself with Andy Boy Simmonz in Revolution Pro Wrestling and has remained a part of the British Heavyweight Title mix, battling the likes of Dave Mastiff, Colt Cabana and Dean Allmark...

 

Keeping busy, also appeared for Infinite Promotions in Liverpool, NEWS in County Durtham, PBW in Scotland and IPW:UK in Kent...

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Real presence about him. A natural born heel"

 

"If I was booking a promotion this guy would be one of my first picks. he looks like he would pull your heart out and eat it in front of you. I like that in a heel"

 

"DIRTY LEEDS"

 

"it

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No. 7: Mark Haskins

Score: 204 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2013 votes: 3

Previous UK50 Rankings: 2012=12th, 2011=4th, 2010=8th, 2009=8th, 2008=29th, 2007=NL, 2006=NL, 2005=NL

Twitter: @Mark_Haskins

Entrance theme: 'Hold On(?)' - A-Merchandise(?)

 

dckk.jpg

Photo credit: Brett Hadley & Southside Wrestling Entertainment

 

Former TNA aligned Mark Haskins returns for his sixth UKFF UK50 and in doing so achieves his second-highest-ever ranking, making his way back into the Top 10. KNown as the 'Star Attraction', the Oxfordshire man is a regular for Southside Wrestling Entertainment, Revolution Pro Wrestling, Fight Club:PRO, New Generation Wrestling, THIS IS PROGRESS and Dragon Gate:UK, as well as appearing for Pro Wrestling Elite, All-Star Wrestling, IPW:UK, PBW, SWA, FPW and more...

 

Faced Lion Kid, Colossus Kennedy, Stixx and Matt Myers in NGW, before winning their 30-man rumble at 'Destiny 2013' to capture the Heavyweight Championship declared vacant when Rampage Brown walked out. Defended against Kris Travis, El Ligero and Stixx, before dropping the title to Ligero in a Streetfight at 'Eternal Glory 2013'... Came up short to Stixx in a reportedly excellent match to crown a brand new SWE Heavyweight Champion last August, then failed to unseat the new champ in a heated 'Last Man Standing' match... Enagged in a well-received series against MK McKinnan, as well as battling Zack Sabre Jr and Kris Travis... Accidentally knocked a kid's hotdog out of his hands, leading to kid's mam marching them home and much, much enduring hilarity... Since the end of the UKFF UK50 eligibility period, has fought international stars Sabu and Ultimo Dragon in SWE rings, as well as winning the Heavyweight Title from Stixx and the Tag Team Titles from The Predators to become a double-champion...

 

Notable opponents in RPW included Jerry Lynn, Tajiri and Prince Devitt... Went into the 2013 DG:UK tour with one of the better win-loss records in the group, though that slipped to 4-3 in a first night 4-way when he elected to allow Team UK stablemate Marty Scurll to pick up the win and save his DG:UK career (DG:UK rules mean anyone that slips to a minus 3 aggregate record loses their place on the roster). He did win in another 4-way (over Naruki Doi, BxB Hulk and Lion Kid) on Night Two, but was matched up against team-mate Scurll in a singles match on Night Three, Scurll again fighting for his spot after losing the previous night. This time, Haskins wasn't about to surrender another win for Marty's cause. After what had been a clean and fair fight, a desperate Scurll hit a low blow behind the referee's back to screw Haskins over and keep his job... Back in RPW, Haskins feuded with El Ligero, and even introduced a fake El Ligero (later revealed to be Josh Bodom) to aide him. Haskins beat the real Ligero at 'When Thunder Strikes' in Bethnal Green in June...

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Seen Haskins work both a more child friendly show at AWW and the polar opposite at Fight Club Pro and the fact that he has returned to Fight Club Pro proves that this guy can work to all types of crowds"

 

" Improved so much since he's been back in the UK. His promos are now excellent: The smarmy face at the end of the recent gloat about Rampage's Progress title win is genius. Even though he was good in the ring before his wrestling has improved dramatically as well. The Southside matches with Zack, Stixx and the match with Doug (although that might be outside the allotted dates) were incredible"

 

"Haskins has always been good but since TNA made the harsh decision to release him after setting him up to fail and months of letting him waste away at home for months, it seems to have really lit a fire under him and he has been on top form since. His DGUK matches are always of the highest calibre and working as a baby face in Southside he has constantly delivered most notably against MK, Zack and Stixx, while as a heel in Rev Pro he has honed his promo skills and had some great matches with Ligero and Tajiri. He's only just started in FCP but he already gets mega heat from the crowd and you can see he is going to be a big player in their future. I don't think it will be long before Haskins is the top guy in Southside, Rev Pro and FCP"

 

"Enjoying his work as a heel simce his release from tna. Great match with mk at fcp. Solid and consistant performer"

 

"hadn

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Well deserved for those two.

 

So of this year's top five, eight of them were in last year's. Jack Gallagher and Rockstar Spud make way for Mark Haskins and Joey Hayes. Six of the 2013 top ten made it in 2011, seven in 2010. Between 2010 and now, the top ten of the UKFF has featured just fifteen guys.

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No. 6: Zack Sabre Jr

Score: 215 points

Total 1st place rankings in 2013 votes: 5

Previous UK50 Rankings: 2012=3rd, 2011=2nd, 2010=5th, 2009=5th, 2008=10th, 2007=50th, 2006=NL, 2005=NL

Twitter: @zacksabrejr

Entrance theme:

- Bloody Beetroots ft. Steve Aoki /
- Klaxons

 

ilxx.jpg

Photo credit - Brett Hadley & Southside Wrestling Entertainment

 

With more and more of his time dedicated to Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan (where he has recently won the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles), UK appearances for Kent boy Zack Sabre Jr are becoming a rarer occurance and more of a special attarction. That said, he has still played an important part in Revolution Pro Wrestling, Southside Wrestling Entertainment, IPW:UK, THIS IS PROGRESS, Fight Club:PRO, 4 Front Wrestling, Premier Promotions, Triple-X Wrestling and more, as well as being a top star for WXW in Germany. In 2013, he achieves his seventh UKFF UK50 ranking, appearing in the Top 10 for the fifth consecutive year. he also receives more individual first place votes than anyone revealed in the 2013 UKFF UK50 so far...

 

Tag team with Marty Scurll is known as the 'LDRS of the New School' and faced The Hunter Brothers in FCP, Jonathan Gresham & MK McKinnan in SWE, Project Ego in IPW:UK/RPW, The London Riots in THIS IS PROGRESS...

 

Successfully defended his Triple-X Wrestling Championship against Prince Devitt, Jimmy Havoc and Adam Shame in a 4-way last August, but lost the title in the 'Clusterfuck' (10-man rumble to qualify for an immediate 4-way title match) bout in February to Majik. Returned for the promotion's 'WrestleMania' tie-in show, taking on 'White Lightning' Mark Andrews in Triple-X's best match of the year...

 

Failed in his challenge for partner Marty's SWE Speed King title at 'Supremacy', then returned the following May in a losing effort to MK McKinnan in the 2013 version of the Speed King tournament... Also faced McKinnan in a 3-match series for RPW which received rave reviews, with he and Marty also taking on Prince Devitt in a 3-way for the Irishman's British Cruiserweight Championship... Battled international guests Kenny Omeg, Ultimo Dragon, Fujita Jr Hayato and Devitt for 4FW, as well as beating pal Jimmy Havoc in a strong bout refereed by Nigel McGuinness for THIS IS PROGRESS...

 

Elsewhere, fought the likes of Jonny Storm, Jonathan Windsor, Wolf Alexander, James Danmar, Heddi Karaoui and Dave Mastiff for Premier Promotions, beat Sha Samuels for the revived All-England Title in IPW:UK and fought El Ligero in an impressive contest at PCW's 'Festive Fury 2'...

 

What did the UKFF think?

"Awesome talent having standout matches at Rev Pro , IPW and Southside"

 

"The only reason Zack isnt higher is because I dont see enough of him. Yes he tours Japan, but he is one hell of a wrestler and should be seen if people get the chance. Add to that he is a throughly nice bloke as well. It's win win win and win with Sabre Jr."

 

"Probably the best wrestler in Britain. Constantly innovating and finding new ways to be different, he is a terrific ambassador for BritWres. His match with Jimmy Havoc for PROGRESS is worth seeking out for sure"

 

"Zack Sabre Jr ranks as my number one due to the quality of the performances he has had in the eligibility period. You know whenever Zack Sabre Jr is on the card you are guaranteed at least one good match on that show. It appears as though Sabre Jr can have a good match with just about any opponent no matter the difference in styles between Sabre Jr and his opponent, the evidence of this is the fact he managed to drag a good match out of Jimmy Havoc for Progress. I was fortunate enough to travel to the 16 Carat Gold Tournament in Germany this year for night two and three. I witnessed Zack battle three different men in the tournament Robert Dreissker (a large man with a brawling style), Karsten Beck (a traditional European Style wrestler, mixed with comedy) and Tommy End (An American MMA Hybrid Style performer.) Zack knew how to wrestle to all three men

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I'd say that's a fair five. Any of them could take the top spot and there wouldn't be much argumentation over it. Although I can see this being Ligs for the third year running.

 

Zack not making the top 5 does and doesn't surprise me. In my eyes he's still the best England has to offer right now.

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