The 2016 UKFF50: The Results

[Jon-Carr_92]

Mark Andrews' theme is A House That's Not Quite Home. And yeah. Through his whole TNA run, he was used few and far between. After his intro storyline in early 2015 where he joined Spud in his feud with EC3 and Tyrus which set up their Hair v Hair Match after they shaved Borash's head. They tagged briefly and had a match against Tyrus at the Impact LockDown special before they shaved his head in the Glasgow tapings.

 

After that, he was used pretty sparingly. When I saw him in Manchester on that tour, he wrestled Dave Mastiff for a match on Xplosion that was the taping's curtain jerker. It got about 7 minutes tops. He won. Hardly watched it at all when it was on Challenge. He must've been on that primarily. He was used as filler for the World Title Series at the end of the year. Losing all of his Group matches.

 

2016 probably had slightly more. He was in a Fatal 4 Way elimination match for the X Division Title at One Night Only Live. Had a cool spot where he set up a Hurricanrana by riding his skateboard down the entrance ramp. Challenged for it a few times in the year. Had a little success with the Team X Gold Billy Corgan came up with. Not that it would last as TNA's roster isn't viable enough to justify a Trios Championship. He tagged with Braxton Sutter and DJZ as Go For Broke where he actually got a pinfall victory on one episode of Impact for the team which must have been the first time in a long time he got a win on Impact. The team dissolved after he turned on them after a match to set up a heel run which obviously didn't happen. However it would've been interesting to watch as he's been a consistent babyface though his career. Think he had a little run in one promotion though. I guess it was easier to write him out by him leaving than having it happen and having to abort the storyline mid run. Here's hoping this WWE UK run goes better.

[Linus]

No. 3 - "The Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne

 

Twitter: @PeteDunneYxB

Entrance theme: "Can You Feel My Heart" by Bring Me The Horizon

Total 1st place votes in 2016: 1

 

UKFF UK50 History:

20th in 2014... 46th in 2013... 40th in 2012

 

Regular promotions during period:

Southside in middle England...  RevPro in London (and the south east)... ATTACK! in the south west... Over The Top Wrestling in Dublin (and Ireland)... PROGRESS in London & Manchester... Kamikaze Pro-Wrestling in Birmingham... Fight Club: PRO in London & Manchester... WCPW nationwide... HOP:E in the east Midlands...  VII Pro-Wrestling in Telford... IPW:UK in Kent

 

 

Breakout year for the Bruiserweight, who began 2016 off most people's radar. Captured the RevPro Cruiserweight title early on, and then fueded with Will Ospreay over it, including getting involved in the Vader storyline. Faced Tomohiro Ishii & Yuji Nagata for RevPro, and made his PWG debut at BOLA. Ran riot through ATTACK! and Fight Club: PRO, losing a Loser-Leaves- match in the former and the title in the latter, where he's also formed a formidable team with Sami Callihan. Won the PROGRESS title at Graps Of Wrath after Mark Haskins vacated it, adding it to the tag-team titles he & Trent Seven won at Brixton. They've vowed to leave PROGRESS with the belts. Also lost a Loser-Leaves-Kamikaze match to Ryan Smile, and was the final VII-Pro champion when the promotion closed this year. Was a featured wrestler for WCPW until his inclusion in the WWE UK Championship forced his departure. Co-founder of both Defend Indy Wrestling & ATTACK!, he's still only 23 years old! Along with Sabre Jr & Tyler Bate, Dunne is another of wrestling's vegans.

 

UKFF says: “Another breakout year for someone who has improved as the year has gone on. Think his match vs Zack Sabre JR at Progress was a late match of the year contender (made Dunne look legit as a champ with a clean win). Also his match with Joe Connors at Tidal was good. Looks odds on to win the UK WWE title.”

 

 “Seemingly won every singles title on the indies this year, ending with being crowned the top man in Progress. Perfected his look and character this year, becoming the grimiest heel in Brit Wres (corrupting Nixon Newell in the process). Will do big things in 2017, and although everyone will rightfully be happy for him, it will be a real shame when WWE inevitably snap him up full time and we lose him from the scene.”

 

 

“Dunne has always been a good wrestler but has upped his game with the Bruiserweight character. Dunne turned more heads in 2016 than he had in previous years resulting in title runs in multiple companies including closing out the year as Progress Champion (this was written before Unboxing Live, so hopefully this is still the case.) A quality performer who excels as displaying a mean and ruthless character in the ring which he does with great believability. The British Wrestling scene were not the only ones to take notice as he is set to compete in the WWE’s United Kingdom Championship tournament in 2017.”

 

“A name that seems to have been on everyone's lips in 2016. Holding at various points the top titles in PROGRESS, OTT and Fight Club: PRO, appearing in PWG's BOLA tournament, and been one of the favourites to win WWE's UK championship, the sky seems to be the limit for Dunne at the moment. Doing some excellent work as part of British Strong Style in PROGRESS, Dunne has really shone in the role, and has become one of the UK's top talents.”

 

Linus says: I saw Pete Dunne 29 times in 2016, much more than any other wrestler. Part of that was by happy accident, but much of it was very much by design. To watch his growth once he finally figured out who he was has been amazing, and he has a very high ceiling indeed. He's already kicked off 2017 in style, with a runners-up berth in the WWE UK Championship, and you can expect MASSIVE things from him this year.

[janb]

Won the Cruiserweight division of PCW's Wrestling World Cup, beating opponents from wXw, CZW & Beyond.

 

Poor AR Fox. First Fighting Spirit Magazine deny him his victory in the Cruiserweight tournament and now Linus. 

[Linus]

 

Won the Cruiserweight division of PCW's Wrestling World Cup, beating opponents from wXw, CZW & Beyond.

 

Poor AR Fox. First Fighting Spirit Magazine deny him his victory in the Cruiserweight tournament and now Linus. 

 

It's a conspiracy. A conspiracy of dunces, obv.

[Linus]

No. 2 - "The Villain" Marty Scurll

 

Twitter: @Marty Scurll

Entrance theme: "Machine Gun" by Portishead

Total 1st place votes in 2016: 7

 

UKFF UK50 History:

48th in 2014... 21st in 2013... 14th in 2012... 5th in 2011... 15th in 2010... 18th in 2009... 30th in 2008

 

Regular promotions during period:

PROGRESS in London & Manchester... RevPro in London (and the south east)... Over The Top Wrestling in Dublin (and Ireland)... Ultimate Pro-Wrestling in Weymouth... WCPW nationwide... 5* nationwide... Fight!Nation on the south coast

 

 

Spent the first 3/4 of the year as PROGRESS champion (apart from briefly dropping it to Pastor William Eaver) and saw off the challenges of Ospreay, Haskins, End, Hero, and more in that time. Finally dropped the belt to Mark Haskins at Brixton. Earned the right to challenge Zack Sabre Jr for the RevPro title but chose instead to reunite their LDRS tag-team, before finally turning on him at Global Wars (where he also wrestled Jushin Liger). Was a featured fly-in villain for OTT in Ireland, and was used by both WCPW & 5* Wrestling on their nationwide tours. Began the year as NWA Fight!Nation champion before the initials and the belt were dropped, again to Haskins. One of the last wave of graduates from the original Dropkixx school, he signed a contract with ROH last year and currently holds their TV title. Won PWG's Battle of Los Angeles tournament.

 

UKFF says: “While Ospreay and Sabre Jr have spent less time in the UK, and Jimmy Havoc spent most of the year injured, Marty Scurll was really the biggest star working every weekend up and down the country. His incredible character and promo work has really shown the evolution of the performer.”

 

“Somewhat overshadowed by often time dance partner Will Ospreay, but he has him beat as character. Exudes a superstar aura and has his character and mannerisms down perfectly. Rightly been given his just do with winning PWG’s BOLA and now signing with Ring Of Honor. Will continue to light it up all next year.”

 

“A couple of years ago I had given up on “Party” Marty and I am sure I am not the only one as he ranked in the low 40s in the UKFF Top 50 for 2014 (He didn’t make my top 15.) But then came The Villain character and Marty really came into his own. Marty has since become the highlight of any UK show and someone I look for on cards as an extra incentive for going to a show. In 2016 Marty has had some fantastic matches in RevPro, Progress and stole the ROH show in London alongside Will Ospreay. Marty has been receiving more and more bookings overseas and he is someone I am proud to have represent the UK wrestling scene. A no-brainer number one for me.”

 

“What a year Marty had in 2016. From perfecting the villain character in PROGRESS and holding their main title for the majority of the year, to some top performances in RevPro, from winning PWG's annual Battle of Los Angeles tournament, to signing a contract with Ring of Honor and then winning the ROH World Television Championship, Scurll has gone from strength to strength and is now recognised across the world as one of this isle's very best.”

 

“Has refined his act over the last decade and now seems to have found the perfect blend of character, action, attention-to-detail and entertainment. Completely captivating as a performer, where you are engrossed in everything he does. Equal parts nasty bastard and silly twerp, and manages to mix the 2 in a logical and sensible way. The various matches with Ospreay are what got the attention, but this year (save from the crappy second Pastor Eaver bout...) there’s been no such thing as a bad Marty match. PROGRESS match against Chris Hero in Manchester was one of the top 2-3 matches in that promotion, with Haskins bout (also Manchester) also very strong. Feud with Jimmy Havoc is notable in that they’ve had several bouts already in the past few months but still keep you feeling the feud is just in it’s very early stages.”

 

“In my opinion, the best wrestler on the planet right now. Consistently good matches with Ospreay in PROGRESS and ROH, incredible match with Chris Hero in PROGRESS, ROH TV Champion and BOLA 2016 winner outside of the UK too”

 

Linus says: Although he can sometimes be a little too cartoonish for my tastes as a heel, there's no doubting Marty's expansive charisma & spot-on in-ring skills. I'd have liked for him to be more dominant as PROGRESS champion but a look at who he beat doesn't exactly reveal a list of lightweights. The Villain persona has evolved to fit him like a glove, and he'll make it a much bigger thing in 2017, where the US is wide open to be conquered.

[Linus]

And that means...

 

No. 1 - "The Aerial Assassin" Will Ospreay

 

Twitter: @WillOspreay

Entrance theme: "Shoot To Thrill" by AC/DC

Total 1st place votes in 2016: 5

 

UKFF UK50 History:

10th in 2014... 39th in 2013

 

Regular promotions during period:

Southside in middle England... RevPro in London (and the south east)... PROGRESS in London & Manchester... WCPW nationwide... Future Pro-Wrestling in Surrey... IPW:UK in Kent... HOP:E in east Midlands... Over The Top Wrestling in Dublin (and Ireland)... RCWA in Essex... 5* nationwide... Kamikaze Pro-Wrestling in Birmingham

 

 

Ospreay's year can't be summed up without the following: became the first British wrestler to win New Japan's Best of the Super Juniors. Became a part of the Chaos stable in japan, and has had several shots at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight belt. Also signed with Ring of Honor and briefly held their TV title before dropping it to Marty Scurll. Made a second appearance in PWG's Battle of Los Angeles, where he was part of a Dave Meltzer 5-star match with the Young Bucks, Ricochet & Matt Sydal. In the UK, Ospreay lost the PROGRESS title at the beginning of the year and lost every match he had for the promotion in 2016, mostly to imports. For RevPro, he won the Cruiserweight title from Pete Dunne, before getting embroiled in a feud with Vader. Held Southside's Speed King title going into the yearly tournament but lost the belt to Mark Haskins. Is a featured part of WCPW's TV, where he's part of the Pacitti Club with real-life girlfriend Bea Anthony. Still found time to work for Lucha Britannia, under a hood as Neo Britannico. Reformed the Swords of Essex as a trio, and held the tag-team titles in IPW:UK despite losing a Loser Leaves IPW:UK match to Tom Dawkins. Worked a stellar series for Kamikaze with Ryan Smile and teams with him (as the Uptown Funkers) for OTT. Also runs his own promotion in Rainham, Essex.

 

UKFF says: “Ospreay is representing Britain around the world, and has had a banner year in this country too. In PROGRESS, Rev Pro and elsewhere he has continued having incredible matches and adding to his outstanding back catalogue.”

 

“A career year. Started the year, still a part timer based in the UK supplementing his income with a real life job, killed it everywhere with Scurll, had the best matches of Wrestlemania weekend for Evolve, lit it up in New Japan against Ricochet and Kushida winning the BOSJ and had just incredible matches everywhere from PWG to Progress, finishing the year a full time ROH/NJPW talent. One of the best wrestlers in the world.”

“Continues where he left off last year having great matches on every show he has been on. It is a great comfort to a fan attending a show with Ospreay on the card as you know you will be guaranteed something worth seeing. Routinely steals the show especially when wrestling Marty Scurll as the two contested some of my favourite battles anywhere in the world in 2016. Mr consistent who has had good matches with a variety of opponents with differing styles including names such as Vader, Matt Riddle, Ricochet and Marty Scurll.”

 

 “Whilst we didn't see as much of Ospreay in his home country as we have in the past couple of years, that's mainly because he was wowing crowds worldwide. Obviously signing a contract with, and then winning New Japan's Best of the Super Juniors tournament, shows just how much faith NJPW have in young Ospreay. Also signing a contract with Ring of Honor and then briefly holding their TV title, this after being publicly courted by Paul Heyman on behalf of WWNLive at York Hall, shows just how in demand he really was in 2016. Whether as a likeable babyface, or as a cocky heel, Ospreay has excelled wherever he went.”

 

“Knocks it out of the park every time.”

 

“High-flying flips and goofy facial expressions may annoy some, but for me it’s what makes him work so well. Actually at his best when he’s being a bit of a dick. PROGRESS singles bouts with Marty Scurll, Zack Sabre Jr, Mark Haskins, Shane Strickland and Adam Cole were very good indeed, but match with Matt Riddle was sensational. Extremely talented performer who continues to add new aspects to his all-around game.”

 

“Not heard much from Will lately. What's he been up? Dead good though and for my money at his absolute best when he's in there with a contrasting wrestler. His bouts with Mark Haskins and Matt Riddle are amongst my favourites this past year. Massive penis too. Huge.”

 

Linus says: Although the final vote ended up being very close between Will and Marty Scurll, I don't think there's much doubt that he's the top UK performer at the current time (and that includes those already in WWE). It's rare that someone with so much natural ability also has the drive to take it onto the highest stages but Will's ascension into New Japan (and beyond) has been fully deserved and you can't help but feel proud of what he's done. He does sometimes work a too-physical style, and he may need to slow down to ensure his career has years left, but there are few people who you can guarantee will have a great match with anyone AND be value for money every time you see them - Will is definitely one of those.

[Linus]

Thanks to everyone that took part in the UKFF50 this year - especially those who took the time to write about exactly why these guys make their wrestling lives better! Let's do it all again next year, and maybe we could even do a little monthly thing, too?

 

Anyway, here's the full list of votes:

 

Will Ospreay... 280 points (5 first place votes)

Marty Scurll... 270 (7)

Pete Dunne... 197 (1)

Zack Sabre Jr... 165

Bubblegum... 127 (2)

Zack Gibson... 122 (1)

Mark Haskins... 113 (1)

Mark Andrews... 107 (1)

Tommy End... 107

Trent Seven... 101

El Ligero... 100

Travis Banks... 93

Rampage Brown... 88 (1)

Drew Galloway... 82 (2)

Jack Gallagher... 76

Nixon Newell         ... 62

Martin Kirby... 50

Dave Mastiff... 43

T-Bone... 41

Jimmy Havoc         ... 35

Charlie Sterling... 26

Ashton Smith         ... 24

Tiger Ali... 24

Tyler Bate... 22

Sha Samuels... 21

Joe Coffey... 21

Kenny Williams... 20

Noam Dar... 20

Chris Ridgeway... 19

Grado... 19

Joe Hendry... 18

Josh Bodom... 18

Lionheart... 18

Joey Hayes... 16

Kay Lee Ray... 15

Damian Dunne... 14

Jack Sexsmith... 13

Jackie Polo... 11

Rob Lynch... 10

Wild Boar... 9

Wolfgang... 9

BT Gunn... 7

Nathan Cruz... 6

Chris Brookes... 4

Mike Bird... 2

Davey Blaze... 1

Iestyn Rees... 0

James Davis... 0

Stevie Xavier          ... 0

Tom Dawkins...      0

[HarmonicGenerator]

Thanks for doing this Linus, an excellent read and timed just right for me with my interest in BritWres higher than it's been in years! Great job.

[Guest]

Great job Linus. Disagree with lots of that placings, and many not included, but thats the beauty of wrestling

[Zebra Kid Mark]

Great read Linus. Thank for doing this. My number 1 and number 2 came in. Two awesome talented guys who I can't wait to see more of, whether it's live or on TV.

[Krytie 2X4B 523P]

Top work Linus. Really enjoyed this thread.

 

I'm surprised ZSJ didn't get any first placed votes.

[Jon-Carr_92]

Great work Linus. Your words are spot on. Have been a huge Haskins fan this year. But yeah. Can't top a year Ospreay's had. Regardless of one's view of flippy stuff. Quite a year. Just so much to go through.

 

Ospreay after losing the Progress Championship he won in July 2015 ending Jimmy Havoc's 609 day record reign to Marty Scurll in January. With whom he had another acclaimed match the same month at RevPro, would head out on TNA's UK Tour alongside Havoc and Damo O'Connor. The rumour mill says they were set to offer him a deal but it fell sour after it emerged NJPW were interested. So he got bumped to Xplosion matches at the Manchester and London tapings. He did however, challenge for the TNA World Tag Titles with Mandrews on the London Xplosion episode against Beer Money and also the KOTM Title with Havoc, Damo & Bram on the Birmingham episode of Impact in a King Of The Mountain Match against then Champ Eric Young as well as participate in the UK portion of this year's Jokers Wild One Night Only tapings where he teamed with a since Broken Matt Hardy to advance to the gauntlet final which was won by Drew Galloway.

 

He would debut as the new member of Chaos after being picked by Okada following their Rev Pro match at their Global Wars: UK event in early October 2015 and challenged Kushida for the Junior Heavyweight Championship in a losing effort. But more was to come. He entered the Best Of the Super Juniors tournament. Most notably going viral for a match with previous winner Ricochet which saw a series of flips that got the crowd wild and breaking the Internet in the process. Receiving praise and criticism alike. I shall save this part for later. With a record of 4 wins and 3 losses. Ospreay would do enough to win his block and defeat Ryusuke Taguchi in the final. Becoming the first English & fifth overall Gaijin winner as well as the youngest to do so at the age of 23. He would again unsuccessfully challenge Kushida at Dominion. In addition, he would challenge for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Titles with Beretta & Rocky Romero. But would also be defeated.

 

Back home after BOSJ, Entering to a thunderous standing ovation from the York Hall crowd in his first match since winning defeated Mike Bailey. The next month would see him beat Pete Dunne to regain the Rev Pro Cruiserweight Title. After that however, things took a interesting turn. After Vader notably criticised his match with Ricochet. Particularly describing it as a gymnastics routine. Rev Pro jumped at the chance to book a match between the two. Vader would win after interference from Dunne despite Ricochet's attempts to even the odds. After the loss, Ospreay v Dunne II happened for their show in Portsmouth 2 weeks later which probably made the result work to a point as it added to the story. Ospreay would go on to win and is still Champ at this time. He would participate in the RevPro/New Japan Supershows with wins against Bushi and Jushin Liger.

 

Towards the end of the year, his schedule was lighter due to niggling injuries. But still appeared for Progress in occasional special matches including with Matt Riddle at Chapter 39 in what also determined who went on to a main event elimination match for the vacant Progress Title after Mark Haskins relinquished the Championship due to a potentially career ending injury. As well Adam Cole at their Sheffield debut in December. He would turn heel and realign with Paul Robinson at their Unboxing Live show against Jimmy Havoc.

 

In addition, he would appear on 5 Star Wrestling's 3 night tour headlined by Rey Mysterio & AJ Styles, had his Progress Championship rematch at the WrestleCon Supershow, be part of WCPW's Pacciti Club stable, briefly held the ROH TV Championship before losing it to Marty Scurll on the promotion's tour. He would sign with the promotion as part of their deals with NJPW, participate in his second BOLA. The weekend would see him wrestle a Wrestling Observer 5 Star match. The first ever to take place in PWG. A 6 man tag with Ricochet & Matt Sydel against The Young Bucks & Adam Cole (Bay Bay) and make 2 appearances for Evolve. As a result, he was offered a deal by Paul Heyman on his UK speaking tour. He would eventually turn it down however.

 

Again, very good job Linus. Nobody more deserving really.

[JNLister]

Have yourselves a (32 out of 50) ring music playlist: https://play.spotify.com/user/11129662329/playlist/1PKQb6D154x4HFJRSjsGzz

[Onyx2]

Fantastic work Linus.

 

Pleased for Ospreay at number one. I'm late to the current UK revival; in mid-2015 I was invited to Rainham's RCWA. I saw young Will perform, flying with ease, selling on the run and driving the crowd to frenzy. I leaned over to my son and said "we'll be seeing him in NXT next year."

 

I wasn't quite accurate, if anything I undersold his achievements in 2016!

 

I saw him a few times for RCWA in 2016 but it was capped off by a brutal and heartbreaking loser-leaves-town match with Chuck Cyrus (who really needs to be on this list). It's the best match I've ever seen live.

 

Will's a stunning talent and the world is his oyster.

[JNLister]

Chuck Cyrus is too massive to fit in this list.