Darren Burridge

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 224lbs

HOMETOWN:
Romford, Essex

FINISHING MOVE:


BIO: It seems an unlikely story at first glance: a Burberry-clad Essex boy who likes to fight becomes one of professional wrestling's hottest commodities. But Darren Burridge has made a career out of defying the odds. Having trained as a teenager at the old FWA Academy and later at DropKixx, the "Pukka One" has gone on to compete around the world but it is here in the UK that his performances have caused the wrestling world to sit up and take notice. Phenomenal televised matches in 1PW against the likes of Nigel McGuinness and Doug Williams have helped to establish Burridge's reputation as one of Europe's finest grapplers - and all this despite being plagued by a knee injury that would have ended many fighters' careers.

Still injured, Burridge found himself at the centre of controversy in late 2009. While filming a backstage documentary at Carpe Diem, he accidentally caused the Kartel's theme music to be played during their rival Joel Redman's world title tournament match against Bubblegum. The result was that Redman lost the match and vowed revenge on whoever was responsible for sabotaging his title opportunity. A month later, despite the best efforts of the Kartel to protect their friend, Redman acquired the footage of the incident and discovered that Burridge was the culprit. The "Physical Specimen" quickly became hell-bent on destroying that vulnerable knee and finally ending one of the most remarkable careers that British wrestling has seen in the past decade - and unfortunately he seems to have succeeded.

After taking a beating at the hands of Redman's ally Iestyn Rees during British Uproar, Burridge made an ill-advised return to the ring a month later, far before he was medically cleared to do so. The merciless team of Redman, Rees and Dave Moralez took full advantage, torturing him until his friend and protégé Sha Samuels had no choice but to throw in the towel on his behalf. The damage was done - Burridge was rushed to a nearby hospital after the match and it remains unclear whether he will ever compete again. If he doesn't then there is a cruel irony to how his career was ended - in the end, it may be that the same fearlessness which made him a star was ultimately what planted the seeds for his downfall.