If you have clicked the link to view this article, I say thank you. There seems to be an invisible wall for people who have yet to discover the British wrestling scene, and let me tell you something, you are missing out if you are prejudging something that could make your love for professional wrestling even stronger.
With all that said, here are my five six must-see British wrestlers currently on the scene. I hope you read this article and it makes at least one of you go and go to a British show. This list is not a definitive list of the best British wrestling has to offer; you can be sure that most shows feature top class talent that could work in any promotion in the world.
Dave Mastiff
Dave Mastiff is the best big man in all of British wrestling by quite some distance. He trained under Rip Rogers during his stay in OVW in 2009 and has gone from strength to strength since. He has faced the likes of Kevin Steen, Davey Richards, Vader, Takeshi Morishima, Go Shiozaki and Prince Devitt in his career. Mastiff is undoubtedly good enough to transition to any of the big American companies and we have the feeling that he still has a long and successful road ahead in wrestling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKNti7v2348
Dave Mastiff vs. Stixx (Courtesy: RPW)
Rampage Brown
Rampage was born for wrestling, either that or just to hurt people. You know what you to expect from Brown as soon as you see him. We must also remember that Brown has had experience in WWE developmental promotion, FCW, meaning he knows what it takes to work the style that could take him back to the holy grail of wrestling some day. Having said all that, I’d be hugely disappointed if I didn’t get to see his bruising style in the many different British promotions he frequents.
Rampage Brown doing what he does best (Courtesy: PCW)
El Ligero
What hasn’t been said about El Ligero at this point? He wins countless awards every year for best wrestler in the UK and it’s hard to argue with any of them. I could list all of the top international talent he has faced but it would take up far too much of this article. You can judge Ligero by how many different UK promotions you can see him in, truly the mark of a top worker. I also must add that his half Mexican/half British heritage allows him to be eligible for this award.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB13b8xEZQ4
El Generico vs. El Ligero (Courtesy: 1PW)
Lionheart
Of all the people on this list, Lionheart is the one I want to see hit the big time right now. He has been slogging away since 2002 and is undeniably one of the best natural talents inside and outside the ring. He can cut a hell of a promo and really shines when playing off a raucous crowd. His 2014 starts with a match against AJ Styles and will hopefully leapfrog him into the must see star of 2014.
Lionheart shoots on AJ Styles (Courtesy: PCW)
Danny ‘Tasseltastic’ Hope
It’s incredibly difficult to explain exactly what makes Hope so great to people that have little interest in wrestling, but I routinely tell them that it is quite possibly the greatest gimmick the UK scene has ever seen. He basically wears tassels and gets huge cheers for doing so. His comedy matches with Mad Man Manson contained some of the most surreal and funny moments of 2013. Did I mention he has kick-ass entrance music?
Danny Hope Entrance Music
Noam Dar
Dar is without a doubt the future of British wrestling, unless he gets signed to a developmental contract. It’s hard to believe that he is only 20 years old and has been in the business since 2008. His last year in wrestling was stifled by injury but he made his return towards the end of 2013 and is looking back to full strength already. What does the future hold for Dar? I have no idea, but I can only assume he’ll be successful in whatever he chooses to do going forward. Oh and don’t forgot to follow him on twitter, he’s hilarious.
Noam Dar vs. AJ Styles (Courtesy: PWE)
Like I said at the start, I hope you read this article and it inspires you to go any of the great British promotions currently running in the UK. Tell them The Wrestling Mania sent you.
– By Michael Owen
What are your thoughts on the British scene? Comment Below and let us know!