Taking a look at 5 men who should be granted a tryout during the WWE UK tour
WWE has a large following in the UK, with fans regularly selling out house shows and Raw tapings whenever they take place in England. In the next week, we’ll see the company visit for their annual pre-Survivor Series tour, which will see both Raw and SmackDown taped in Manchester as well as house shows up and down the country.
As well as the main roster in December the stars of NXT will be heading across the pond for a series of shows, most notably the first NXT TakeOver special filmed overseas, NXT TakeOver: London.
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The current WWE roster has a large selection of Superstars from these shores, with the likes of Paige, Sheamus and Neville all being major stars in WWE. All these stars were big names on the independent wrestling scene in England before heading to the WWE, and took part in at least one try out during a European tour before signing with the biggest sports entertainment company in the world.
While we already know that WWE has featured one British star in Zack Sabre, Jr., in recent months, there’s a plethora of men currently wrestling in British rings who would more than fit in to the WWE family.
Keep reading as we introduce you to 5 men that you probably won’t have heard of, but who could step up to be the next big star in NXT and WWE.
Next: Causing Havoc
Jimmy Havoc
When you ask fans of British wrestling who’s one of the best characters around right now you’d probably hear the answer Jimmy Havoc. He’s a man who can evoke the most hateful of feelings from the fans who watch him, whilst being able to back up his words in the ring.
Starting out training alongside the likes of Zack Sabre Jr and Finn Balor he eventually found a niche for himself as more of a death match wrestler. Featuring in companies up and down the UK, including Progress Wrestling, IPW:UK and Insane Championship Wrestling, he was the man who brought the hardcore to any card he was part of. Some of the most brutal matches seen in the country featured Havoc. He was a man who the crowd always seemed to get behind. Then he turned his back on them and made it his aim to dominate every company he wrestled in, his most notable work came in Progress.
Coming in as babyface he went on a six match losing streak and was one of the most over men in the promotion. Then he snapped and attacked promoter Jim Smallman and ended up getting a title shot, which he cashed in on Champion Mark Andrews after he’d already wrestled and won the title, his first win in the company saw Havoc win the title!
Havoc became the man who only cared about himself, who was hell-bent on keeping his title by any means necessary, against any opponent. He causes anarchy and destruction wherever he appears. Eventually losing his title to longtime rival Will Ospreay (more on him later) after a reign lasting for 601 anarchic days, Havoc has shown why he’s one of the best heels in the world, not just in the UK. Not only does he excel in the ring but his promos are a cut above, not many people come close to him when he has the microphone in his hand.
All round Jimmy Havoc is a man who deserves to star on the biggest stage. In the past he’s torn up the ring facing Finn Balor, Eddie Edwards, Ospreay and more, as well as being part of Vince Russo’s faction in IPW:UK and so much more.
WWE has a plethora of heels but nobody on the level of Jimmy Havoc. Think Kevin Owens mixed with a little Mick Foley and a hint of Terry Funk.
Next: Noam Dar
Noam Dar
Scotland’s own Noam Dar is a man who has a serious chance to one day be named the best pound for pound professional wrestler in the world. At only 22 years of age he has already faced a who’s who of the best in the world, coming face to face with the likes of Rob Van Dam, Jerry Lynn, John Morrison, Finn Balor and showing he could keep up with AJ Styles inside the ring.
Fans in the U.S. may have already seen him perform as Dar was one of the last six in the reality show TNA British Boot Camp last year. Watching him wrestle Austin Aries was a particular highlight coming out of the show.
Having started training at 14 years old, it’s interesting that only 8 years later, he is one of the most sought after talents on this side of the Atlantic. One of the few men who has been able to slot himself into nearly all the promotions that the UK has, especially the better know companies. Not many have been able to switch between ICW, PCW and Progress Wrestling with ease and it’s probably somewhat of a reflection of his ability and character.
Inside the ring he’s technically gifted, lightning quick and one of the most exciting talents you’ll see. The “Champagne Super Kneebar” finisher he uses is one of those moves that looks like he could go home with your leg as a gift after the match and has won him so many matches. Just as impressive as his ring work are his entrances and charisma, he really could be the total package.
Without a doubt this Israeli born Scotsman is one that you’re going to see on TV, he’d slot right in at the top if he had the chance on NXT, he’s one of the few men in the wrestling world that has it all, he should be given the opportunity in the biggest company in the world.
Next: Dave Mastiff
Dave Mastiff
One of the best big men that the UK has ever produced, Dave Mastiff is another man who has impressed in the last few years. A beast inside the ring he is one of the toughest men you’ll ever see and can mix it with the best in the world.
Having already wrestled for the biggest promotions in his home country he has also appeared under the banner of NOAH, CZW, OVW and as part of the TNA British Bootcamp show as well. His match with Samoa Joe as part of the show is a brutal brawl between two hard-hitting beasts. Mastiff isn’t just all about power though, he can easily leave his feet to throw a drop kick or a cannon ball or drop a big senton on you when you’re expecting it the least, he’s an all-rounder who can beat you in more ways than one.
Mastiff’s match with a pre NXT Kevin (Steen) Owens was a classic from a couple of years ago. He can play the big monster, he can throw smaller men around like a rag doll, he can brawl with the best of them and he’s one of those men who anyone that faces him knows won’t give them an easy night.
Mastiff has been part of WWE in the past. At last years Raw taping he was one of Adam Rose’s Rosebuds, dressed as a leprechaun, resplendent with his massive beard giving him away. I have a feeling that one night appearance won’t be his last in a WWE ring.
Next: Marty Scurll
Marty Scurll
“The Villain” Marty Scurll needs to be in WWE. Since transforming from his “Party Marty” character Scurll has become one of the best heels in the UK. He has gone from being the life and soul of the party, the man who would be up all night partying and the wrestling came secondary, to the man who was willing to do anything to get to the top.
Not many men could pull off the look he does. The beard, the fur coat, the umbrella and the glasses all scream Marty Scurll nowadays. In a series of promos he cut he spoke about who he was, what he wanted to show the world and why the bad needed to be shown as well as the good. His genesis from one character to the other has been a slow and methodical one, featuring some of the best matches of the last year along with some of the best promos you’ll see.
Marty was one of the stars of the first series of TNA British Boot Camp, at a time when he was Party Marty. On the show we saw some of his wild side, the drinking, the women, at times he resembled a British version of Ric Flair. Now though he seems a more focused and serious competitor, a man who is a serious threat to anyone he faces.
This year he was one of the stars at PWG’s annual Battle of Los Angeles, alongside Zack Sabre Jr and Tommy End as the group known as EuroTrash. Making a big impression on the annual super shows he will no doubt be back in the United States before you know it, he really should be back as part of WWE/NXT.
Scurll gets better and better every time you see him in the ring. His style is hard-hitting, throwing uppercuts and kicks as well as being a great submission wrestler. He’s one of the few men who uses the Cross-face Chickenwing and makes it look every bit as dangerous as Bob Backlund did back in the day. If you bring in The Villain Marty Scurll to NXT he would be the perfect heel to put against the like of Finn Balor or Apollo Crews, he has it all and one day will prove it on the biggest stage of them all!
Next: El Ligero
El Ligero
A bona-fide legend on the British Wrestling scene, El Ligero will go down as one of the best that the UK has ever produced (having said that apparently he’s Mexican but we’ll claim his as our own). Not many masked men originate from England but this man can truly be called one of the best masked men ever.
Booked around the world Ligero has faced some of the best talent in Indy wrestling. Counting matches against Ultimo Dragon, El Generico and Jay Lethal during his career he is one of the most travelled UK wrestlers currently plying his trade in the squared circle.
As you would expect from a masked wrestler he excels in the lucha libre style, but his technical prowess also makes him stand out from the crowd. The 14-year veteran has to be looked upon as one of the trail blazers of British wrestling and watching his matches it’s easy to see why he’s loved by the fans wherever he wrestles. Rather than just relying on his flying he can turn his hand to any style and has be known to take part in more hardcore matches on occasion, he really can turn his hand to anything.
As a man who is sought after he’s appeared for the most important companies that Europe has to offer, holding gold in most of them as well. A star in PCW and Progress as well as IPW:UK, it seems that he’s one of the busiest men in pro wrestling, if you follow him on twitter it seems that he actually wrestles at least 4 time every weekend. His popularity makes him so sought after and as well as being dubbed the “Mexican Sensation” he could also lay claim to the hardest working man in wrestling moniker. I’m not sure how he also has the time to work as a trainer as well but somehow he does.
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If WWE is looking for a masked wrestler to finally replace Rey Mysterio they could do a lot worse than look at El Ligero as the man to take that spot. Welcome EL Ligero, your new favourite wrestler