Rockstar Spud (English)
5’4, 140 Ibs. The litte man from Birmingham has been wrestling since 2001. He went by the name of Spud, til he changed it up with a rock star gimmick (based on obnoxious 80’s rock stars) on the independent scene in 2010. In 2012 he signed with TNA Wrestling and worked live events.
In 2013, Spud became a contestant on the British reality TV show ‘TNA British Boot Camp’ alongside Marty Scurll and The Blossom Twins. Mark ‘Rollerball’ Rocco was the main presenter and mentor of the show. I remember watching Spud going round town drinking (despite being told he was in early for training the next day) and having a blast, but the next day he couldn’t get over his hangover and puked in front of Mark Rocco; who tried to make an example out of him.
Despite Spud’s problems with committing to the competition, the fans preferred him over the others. After several weeks of training, challenges, and matches, the public voted and made Rockstar Spud the winner. Challenge TV stated it was a ratings hit, and the show was given a good review by the Daily Star.
Spud surged in popularity after debuting as a full-time on-air personality. During the time of ‘Team Dixie’ (when Carter played a heel and lead a villainous stable) he was appointed ‘Chief Of Staff’. In 2013, Dixie ordered Spud to break into AJ Styles’ house and take the World Championship back.
After MVP returned to the company as the Director Of Operations, he fired Spud as TNA no longer needed a Chief Of Staff. Dixie soon returned and reinstated Spud, where he aligned himself with her kayfabe nephew Ethan Carter III. Spud remained loyal to EC3 for many months. After Bully Ray power bombed Dixie through a table, EC3 blamed the incident on Spud and humiliated him for weeks. In the end, Spud stood up for himself and attacked EC3; turning face for the first time in his TNA career.
On the UK tour, the feud between EC3 and Spud reached new heights. After EC3 shaved a defenseless Jeremy Borash, Spud challenged him to a Hair vs. Hair match in London. The two squared off in a bloody contest which may be considered his biggest match to date; even if he lost and had his head shaved.
In 2015, Spud became a two-time X-Division champion, first by cashing in his Feast Or Fired contract on Low Ki, and the second by winning a gauntlet match. Spud decided to vacate the X-Division title (Option C) for a World Championship title match against Kurt Angle at Destination X. Despite Spud’s best efforts, he tapped out to the anklelock, and the Olympic Gold Medallist showed him respect afterwards.
In 2016, Spud made a surprise heel turn by joining Matt Hardy’s stable. With EC3 now playing the face, Spud explained his reasoning as wanting to get the revenge he never got on his former employer for what happened in in London. After a short time with the Matt Hardy Brand, Matt transformed into ‘Broken Matt Hardy’, who was no longer interested in the services of Spud and Tyrus. Spud tried to reason with Matt, but was unable to get through to him.
Rockstar Spud continues to wrestle in TNA. He is likely to become the most popular underdog wrestler to ever come out of the UK. He’s small, but he packs a punch’ he’s like a pitbull. His wrestling style is unique, he can brawl, but he can also switch to an X-Division style when needed. His mic skills are better than most, and often filled with passion. While he suits being heel, he’s yet to see title success in TNA in the role. As an underdog babyface, he could become the Rey Mysterio of the UK years down the line. Is he WWE material? That remains to be seen.
Robbie Brookside (English)
Robbie is the former tag team partner of Steven (William) Regal in UK promotions. He wrestled between 1984-2013. In the 90’s, Robbie spent six months in WCW and had several matches on Nitro. On an episode of Raw in 2007, he worked a 3-on-1 handicap match against Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon and Umaga; Shane chose him because he had “seen him take six men in a local pub”. He had matches against Snitsky and Maven as well.
At a WWE House Show in 2011, William Regal announced Robbie was in the crowd, and credited his success to him, as well as Sheamus and Wade Barrett. In 2013, he officially retired from wrestling, as he became a trainer for NXT.
He’s been one the UK’s top wrestlers over the past thirty years, having won many of Britain’s top championships. He’s influenced many, and continues to do so with NXT as he and other talent (like Norman Smiley and William Regal) mold the future of WWE. It’s safe to say the future is in good hands with Robbie Brookside
Bram (English)
He has wrestled since 2002. He worked the independent scene til WWE signed him to a development contract in 2010. He debuted in FCW as Kenneth Cameron, and joined The Ascension in 2011. The group didn’t last long due to Conor O’Brian’s (Konnor) injury, so Cameron went out on his own (still using the dark gimmick) and managed an impressive three-month winning streak.
When O’Brian returned from injury, he aligned with Cameron again and The Ascension returned as a tag team. When WWE rebranded FCW into NXT, the team debuted and began a winning streak against teams like The Usos and Justin Gabriel/Tyson Kidd. WWE terminated his contract after he was charged with battery of a law enforcement officer and disorderly intoxication.
He worked the independent scene before debuting as ‘Bram’ in 2014 for TNA Wrestling. He was partnered with Magnus, but the relationship soon turned sour as he attacked Magnus in the backstage area. The feud saw Bram threaten Magnus and his wife Mickie James, and culminated with Magnus beating him in a No DQ match. Bram had matches with Abyss and Tommy Dreamer which showcased his Hardcore style; after defeating Abyss in a Stairway to Janice Match, Bram declared himself the new ‘King Of Hardcore’.
Since 2015, Bram has been used as a mid-carder in TNA. He’s had various feuds, which includes a tag team rivalry with Eric Young against Beer Money. In April of this year, Eric Young was scheduled to debut with NXT, so he claimed he was going to take the King Of The Mountain Championship and Bram with him. Bram refused to go, and instead challenged EY for the title; turning face. Bram defeated Young to claim his first major singles championship of his career. A month later, he lost the title to Eli Drake.
The man behind Bram is Thomas Latimer, formerly married to Ashley Fliehr (Charlotte). He was arrested and charged with two felony counts of domestic battery by strangulation and false imprisonment. The incident involved Latimer’s ‘girlfriend’ (another woman), so while the charges were dropped, the marriage ended with divorce two months later.
At 29-years-old, Bram is really good at what he does. He has the intensity, it’s exciting to see his work as a heel in hardcore matches. However, his mic skills need a little work. He could be TNA World Champion one day, but it’s all on him. His behaviour out of the ring is questionable. He has the look, and the ability, but if he’s not capable of connecting with the audience, he’s not going any higher on the card.
Nick Aldis / Magnus (English)
He is one of the most accomplished British wrestlers of all time, and is only 29-years-old. Magnus won several tag team championships around the world with Doug Williams and Samoa Joe. After AJ Styles’ contract was disputed in 2013, Dixie Carter announced he was stripped of the title. He won a tournament final (Dixieland match, with interference) to become the 3rd and youngest British World Heavyweight Champion (after Gary Steele and Nigel McGuiness), and went on to defeat AJ Styles to become undisputed champion. Since leaving TNA in 2015, Nick Aldis claimed and continues to defend the GFW Global Championship in Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling.
Chris Adams (English)
RIP “Gentleman” Chris Adams – He was a professional wrestler, promoter, trainer, model, and judoka. At 21, he was a three-time British Judo Champion in his age and weight class. In his early career he used his Judo background to wrestle on the show World Of Sport in the late 70’s. He competed alongside names such as Big Daddy, Dave ‘Fit’ Finlay, Dynamite Kid, and Davey Boy Smith. He also worked a heated feud with Adrian Street.
After moving to the United States, he wrestled in the NWA territories. Originally he wrestled barefoot, but after his first tour he started using wrestling boots, armpads and kneepads which he used for the rest of his career. He became famous for innovative moves, including the invention of the ‘Judo Kick’, which is now known as the Super Kick. From 83-86, he wrestled primarily in WCCW and across Texas in various promotions. In 1986, Adams left the promotion and worked the independent scene.
A short time later he returned to WCCW and opened a wrestling school in 1988 in the Dallas Sportatorium. He trained Steve Austin, and within five months Austin was wrestling his first match. Chris Adams and his student feuded throughout the USWA. From 1997-1999, Adams competed in WCW as a mid-card performer. He didn’t win any titles, but his biggest match was a reversed decision in a match against Randy Savage in the first match of the first WCW Thunder.
In 2001, he was shot in the chest during a drunken brawl with his friend. The gun owner claimed self-defense and was not charged with manslaughter. Years after his death, former WCCW promoter released a documentary called ‘The Gentleman’s Choice’ with comments from his family and friends. In 2015, his career was recognized and given a Lifetime Achievement Award which was presented to his former girlfriend Jeanie Clarke.
Imagine a world without Chris Adams inventing the superkick or training Steve Austin. Think about how often the Super Kick is used, and how technical Steve Austin was before his neck injury. The man trained by Tony St. Clair and Shirley Crabtree (Big Daddy) is undoubtedly one of the best British talents to ever grace the sport of professional wrestling. Thanks for reading! And as always, your feedback is appreciated.
