Wikipedia

Eddie Dennis

Edward Dennis (born 22 March 1986) is a Welsh professional wrestler, and former head teacher. He is currently signed to WWE as a writer and producer on NXT. During his time as an in-ring performer in the company, he wrestled in NXT UK and on the independent circuit under his real name, stylized as Eddie Dennis. Originally a mathematics teacher, Dennis retired from teaching to wrestle full-time until 2023, when he transitioned to a producer role after retiring from in-ring competition.

Eddie Dennis
Birth nameEdward Dennis
Born (1986-03-22) 22 March 1986 (age 38)
Swansea, Wales
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Eddie Dennis
Billed height6 ft 6 in (198 cm)[1]
Billed weight230 lb (104 kg)[1]
Billed fromSwansea, Wales
Trained byTyson Dux
Scott D'Amore
Carl Griffths
Debut2008

Professional wrestling career

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Dennis began his wrestling career in 2008, whilst working full-time as a mathematics teacher in Cardiff, and later at LVS Ascot in Berkshire, where he became head teacher.[2][3][4] In 2016, he left his job to become a full-time wrestler.[5] Despite an unsuccessful first try-out with the WWE in 2017,[6] he later would wrestle on the first NXT UK show at the Plymouth Pavilions.[7][8][9]

Attack! Pro Wrestling (2011, 2013–2019)

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Dennis's debut match was a live Attack! event held on 12 August 2011, where he defeated by fellow Welshman Wild Boar. Along with Wild Boar, Dennis shared the Attack! ring with Mark Andrews, Pete Dunne and Flash Morgan Webster, who would all join NXT UK. On 21 December 2013, Dennis won his first title, winning the Attack! 24:7 Championship. After losing the title within minutes, he has held the Attack! 24:7 Championship on a further three occasions. On 20 November 2016, Dennis defeated Mike Bird to become the inaugural Attack! Champion, holding the championship until 25 February 2017, where he lost it to Damian Dunne. On 18 November, Dennis became the first wrestler to hold the Attack! Championship on two occasions by defeating Wild Boar on 19 September 2018. On 15 December, Dennis would once again lose the Championship to Damian Dunne.[citation needed]

RevPro Wrestling (2014–2018, 2022 - 2023)

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Eddie Dennis made his RevPro debut in 2014, on 10 May, where he teamed with Mark Andrews and Pete Dunne against Josh Bodom, Sha Samuels and Terry Frazier in a 6-person tag match. On 30 August 2015, Dennis was defeated by James Castle.[10] On 1 May 2016, Dennis lost against Sha Samuels[11] On 6 November 2016, Dennis was defeated by Josh Bodom.[12] The pair had a rematch on 8 January 2017, where Dennis lost against to Bodom.[13] On 5 February 2017, Dennis faced off and eventually lost against Dave Mastiff.[14] On 5 May 2017, Zack Gibson defeated Dennis.[15] On 9 April 2017, Dennis lost against Rob Lias.[16] On 7 May 2017, Dennis lost against Gideon Grey.[17] On 4 June 2017, Dennis lost against Donovan Dijak.[18] On 2 July 2017, Dennis was defeated by Sami Callihan.[19] On 6 August 2017, Dennis lost against T.K Cooper.[20] On 17 August 2017, Dennis lost to Martin Stone.[21] On 3 September 2017, Dennis was defeated by El Phantasmo.[22] On 1 October 2017, David Starr won against Eddie Dennis.[23] On 15 October 2017, Dennis was defeated by Chris Brookes.[24] On 22 October 2017, Dennis was beaten by Moose.[25] On 5 November 2017, Rob Lias won against Dennis due to a disqualification.[26] On 8 December 2017, Dennis lost against Pete Dunne.[27] On 7 January, 2018, Gideon Grey defeated Dennis by disqualification.[28] On 27 March, 2023 at the Revolution Rumble event, Dennis announced his retirement from in-ring competition.[29]

Progress Wrestling (2013–2022)

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Dennis debuted on 31 March 2013, at Chapter Six: We Heart Violence, where he and Mark Andrews went under the tag team name Team Defend, losing to The Bhangra Knights (Darrell Allen & RJ Singh). At Chapter Seven: Every Saint Has A Past, Every Sinner Has A Future, Dennis would defeat Darrell Allen, Joey Lakeside and Xander Cooper in a four-way elimination match.[30] At Chapter Eight: The Big Boys Guide To Strong Style, Dennis would compete in a Three-Way match against Darrell Allen and Doug Williams, where Dennis would be defeated by Williams.[31] At Chapter Nine: Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kick Me, Kill Me, Dennis would be defeated by Paul Robinson.[32] At Chapter Eleven: To Fight War, You Must Become War, Eddie Dennis and Mark Andrews defeated Paul Robinson and Will Ospreay[33] Dennis won his first championship on 30 March 2014, during Chapter Twelve: We're Gonna Need A Bigger Room. Dennis and Andrews under the team name FSU won a tournament final three-way, defeating teams Mark Haskins & Nathan Cruz and Project Ego (Kris Travis & Martin Kirby).[34] At Chapter 13: Unbelievable Jeff, Dennis was defeated by Michael Gilbert.[35] At Chapter 14: Thunderbastard, FSU (Mark Andrews and Eddie Dennis) would successfully defend their tag team championships against The London Riots (James Davis and Rob Lynch).[36] On Chapter 15: Just Because You're Paranoid, Doesn't Mean They Aren't Out To Get You, Dennis teamed up with Mark Andrews, Noam Dar and Will Ospreay to defeat James Davis, Jimmy Havoc, Paul Robinson and Rob Lynch in an 8-man tag match.[37] They would retain the tag titles over the course of the year, successfully defending them on 30 November, at Chapter 16, defeating team Screw Indy Wrestling (Martin Stone & Sha Samuels). On 25 January 2015, Dennis would face off against his partner, Mark Andrews where Dennis would defeat Andrews and deliver a promo about Andrews' contract at TNA and his own application to be a headmaster. Five days later, on 30 January 2015, at Chapter 17, Team FSU lost the tag titles to the team referred to as The Faceless. On 23 July 2017, Dennis faced off against Pete Dunne, where Dennis would lose the match. On 8 May 2018, whilst on a tour in the US, Eddie Dennis would face off against Ricky Shane Page, where Dennis defeated RSP.[38] On 30 September 2018, Dennis would face Mark Andrews at a TLC match, with the winner earning an opportunity to compete on the next Unboxing event, which ended in Dennis winning the match. On 12 November 2018, Dennis faced "Speedball" Mike Bailey, where Dennis defeated Bailey. On 26 November 2018, Dennis faced Mark Haskins, the match ending with Dennis winning the match. On 12 December 2018, at Unboxing 3, Dennis faced Marcel Barthel, where Dennis would beat Barthel. In later matches during the course of his time in Progress Wrestling, Dennis would wrestle with individuals all of whom would become future WWE NXT UK roster members including Zack Gibson, Mark Andrews, "Wild Boar" Mike Hitchman, El Ligero, Dave Mastiff, Nixon Newell and others.

WWE (2018–2022, 2023–present)

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Dennis made his televised debut during the 7 November 2018 episode NXT UK, during which he defeated Sid Scala.[39] His final match of the year was during the 26 December episode of NXT UK, defeating Dan Moloney by disqualification.[40]

Dennis returned the following year on the 2 January 2019 episode of NXT UK, during which his match against Dave Mastiff ended in double-disqualification. On 12 January at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, Dennis met Mastiff in a rematch under No Disqualification rules, but lost to Mastiff.[41] On the 23 January episode, 2019, of NXT UK, Dennis defeated Jamie Ahmed. On the 20 March 2019, episode of NXT UK, Dennis defeated Ligero.[42] On 12 January 2020, at Takeover: Blackpool 2, Dennis defeated Trent Seven.[43] The way he won the match at Takeover caused a rematch between the two in a Steel Corners Street Fight on 6 February, where Seven defeated Dennis.[44]

On 18 August 2022, Dennis was released from his WWE contract.[45] However, on 3 May 2023, less than two months after retiring from in-ring competition, Dennis was signed again by WWE as a writer and producer for the US-based NXT brand.[46]

Personal life

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Dennis is the co-founder of "Defend Indy Wrestling", a clothing brand for independent wrestling fans. Inspired by the "Defend Pop Punk" message propagated by American band Man Overboard, Dennis created the brand in 2011 with fellow British wrestlers Pete Dunne and Mark Andrews, producing t-shirts, hoodies and other accessories.[47][48][49]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Eddie Dennis | Calling Spots". callingspots.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  2. ^ Hughes, Marcus (10 July 2017). "A headteacher is quitting his job to become a full-time wrestler". walesonline. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  3. ^ "GiveMeSport meets NXT UK's Eddie Dennis: it's never too late to chase your dream". GiveMeSport. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  4. ^ Thomas, Aimee (23 July 2022). "WWE: How a head teacher became a professional wrestler". BBC News. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  5. ^ Hughes, Marcus (10 July 2017). "A headteacher is quitting his job to become a full-time wrestler". WalesOnline. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Which top athletes attended WWE's U.K. tryouts?". WWE. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  7. ^ "My odd job: I loved watching wrestling as a kid. Now I'm signed to WWE". Metro. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  8. ^ "Eddie Dennis: "If The United Kingdom Championship Tournament Hadn't Happened, I Would Probably Have Retired By Now" | Fightful Wrestling". fightful.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Full List Of Superstars WWE Has Signed For Their NXT UK Brand". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  10. ^ "RevPro TV Tapings at UK Paper Leisure Club wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  11. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 8 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  12. ^ "RevPro Live in Sittingbourne at UK Paper Leisure Club wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  13. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 12 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  14. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 13 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  15. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 14 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  16. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 15 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  17. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 16 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  18. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 17 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  19. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 18 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  20. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 19 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  21. ^ "RevPro Summer Sizzler 2017 at York Hall wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  22. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 20 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  23. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 21 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  24. ^ "RevPro Live In Cardiff at Tramshed wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  25. ^ "RevPro Live in Leamington at Leamington Assembly Hall wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  26. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 22 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  27. ^ "RevPro Uprising 2017 at York Hall wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  28. ^ "RevPro Live at the Cockpit 25 at Cockpit Theatre wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  29. ^ McGeorge, Alistair (27 March 2023). "Ex-WWE star Eddie Dennis retires aged 37, months after NXT UK closure: 'Don't be sad'". Metro. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  30. ^ "PROGRESS Chapter Seven: Every Saint Has a Past, Every Sinner Has a Future at The Garage wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  31. ^ "PROGRESS Chapter Eight: The Big Boys Guide to Strong Style at The Garage wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  32. ^ "PROGRESS Chapter Nine: Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kick Me, Kill Me at The Garage wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  33. ^ "PROGRESS Chapter Eleven: To Fight War, You Must Become War at The Garage wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  34. ^ "PROGRESS Chapter Twelve: We're Gonna Need A Bigger Room at Electric Ballroom wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  35. ^ "PROGRESS Chapter 13: Unbelievable Jeff at Electric Ballroom wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  36. ^ "PROGRESS Chapter 14: Thunderbastard at Electric Ballroom wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  37. ^ "PROGRESS Chapter 15: Just Because You're Paranoid, Doesn't Mean They Aren't Out To Get You at Electric Ballroom wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  38. ^ "PROGRESS Coast To Coast Tour - Day 2 at Melrose Memorial Hall wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  39. ^ "NXT UK results, Nov. 7, 2018: Pete Dunne outlasts Danny Burch in hard-hitting WWE U.K. Title Match". WWE. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  40. ^ "NXT UK Dec. 26 results: Rhea Ripley successfully defends her title against Deonna Purrazzo". WWE. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  41. ^ Mango, Anthony. "WWE NXT UK TakeOver Blackpool II Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction, Highlights". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  42. ^ "Eddie Dennis def. Ligero". WWE. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  43. ^ "Seven battles Dennis in destructive TakeOver: Blackpool II opening match". WWE. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  44. ^ "Trent Seven def. Eddie Dennis in a Steel Corners Street Fight". WWE. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  45. ^ Powell, Jason (18 August 2022). "WWE conducting NXT UK talent cuts". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  46. ^ McGeorge, Alistair (3 May 2023). "WWE brings back Welsh star Eddie Dennis in exciting new role after retirement". Metro. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  47. ^ "10 Questions With … 'Dynamite' Pete Dunne". Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  48. ^ "Eddie Dennis Interview". The Indy Corner. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  49. ^ "Hello Wembley Predictions: Eddie Dennis vs Mark Andrews". FightBoothPW. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  50. ^ a b c d Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Titles « Eddie Dennis « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  51. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2019 - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  52. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "PROGRESS Tag Team Title Tournament " Tournaments Database " CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  53. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "One To Watch Trophy Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
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