| Zack Sabre, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Ring name(s) | Zack Sabre, Jr. |
| Billed height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1] |
| Billed weight | 180 lb (82 kg)[1] |
| Born | 24 July 1987 Isle of Sheppey |
| Resides | Canterbury, Kent |
| Trained by | NWA-UK Hammerlock Andre Baker Jon Ryan |
| Debut | 2002 |
Zack Sabre, Jr.,(born 24 July 1987) is a British professional wrestler. Zack is a former NWA United Kingdom Junior Heavyweight Championship and a product of the NWA-UK Hammerlock training school. He started training with NWA-UK Hammerlock at the age of 14, under the guidance of Jon Ryan and Andre Baker. His offence includes various technical wrestling holds and pinning combinations, along with hard hitting strikes, which stems from his love of puroresu. Zack has had various battles throughout his career, with wrestlers such as Go Shiozaki, El Generico, Martin Stone and Prince Devitt, although it's likely that he is best known for his potential 2008 match of the year candidate with "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson in Triple X Wrestling. The match was featured in Fighting Spirit magazine and a DVD release is expected in future months.[2][3][4] He is a member of popular British tag team the Leaders of the New School, alongside partner Marty Scurll.
On 22 October 2005, Zack defeated Falcon in Whitehaven, Cumbria, at a NWA UK Hammerlock event to capture the NWA United Kingdom Junior Heavyweight Championship, which he has held since,[5][6] successfully defending it on 22 July 2006, against David DeVille,[7] on 20 September 2006, against Paddy Morrow,[8] on 28 February 2007, against Jimmy Havoc,[9] on 18 July 2007, against Jamie Stirling,[10] and on 25 April 2007, against El Generico.[11]
On 26 August 2008, Zack Sabre Jr made his long-awaited debut for One Pro Wrestling, at Relentless. He competed in a 4 way match against Joseph Hayes, El Ligero and The Juice, which was won by Joseph Hayes. At 1PW's 3rd Year Anniversary, Zack defeated Chris Hero.[12]
On 4 November 2006, Celtic Wrestling taped episodes eight and nine of "Chaos TV". On episode eight, Zack and "Flying" Mike Bird were the remaining men in a 6-man elimination match and went on to a time limit draw. Due to the previous draw, Zack and Mike Bird were pitted in a singles bout for Zack's NWA-UK Junior Heavyweight Championship on episode nine, where Zack retained the title.
On 27 September 2008 Zack competed on the second night of a weekend celebrating independent wrestling at the Wulfrun Hall, in Wolverhampton. Zack participated in a 4-way match against Davey Richards, Kenny Omega and Joel Redman. Richards submitted Sabre Jr with a Texas Cloverleaf after he reversed Zack's cross armbreaker submission.[13] Before the match Zack was presented with an award for Rising Star 2008, an award sponsored by ID2008 and the Wrestling Observer UK.
On 18 November 2006 at International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom's (IPW:UK) British Under 23's Championship, Zack teamed with his partner Jimmy Havoc, as they took on the team of Jexodus in a Triple X Wrestling guest match. Zack & Jimmy lost the bout, but gave a strong effort. It wasn't until 13 April 2007, when Zack returned to IPW:UK in Hayling Island. Zack lost to his current partner Paul Robinson. Just one day later on 14 April 2007, in Buckland, Zack Sabre Jr defeated Paul Robinson to gain his first victory in IPW:UK.[14][15] Three months later, on 27 July 2007, in Sittingbourne, Zack lost to Mark Sloan.[16] Zack would once again be in the ring with Mark Sloan and Paul Robinson on 11 November 2007, in Sittingbourne, in a four-way scramble match that also included Wade Fitzgerald. The experience paid off for Mark Sloan, who came out victorious.[17] IPW:UK's second show of 2008 took place on 27 January and saw Sabre make his debut in Orpington, which is considered by many to be the home of IPW. Zack was featured on the "No Escape" afternoon show, where he managed to defeat Mark Sloan and Wade Fitzgerald in a triple threat match.[18] IPW's annual "Battle Royale" took place on 16 March 2008. Zack drew number nine but was eventually eliminated by Martin Stone.[19] Zack finally returned to Non-British-National-Championship-Tournament action in IPW:UK, where he teamed with fellow "Leader Of The New School" Marty Scurll. Zack and Marty took on "The Iron Lions", consisting of Andy "Boy" Simmonz & James Tighe, as part of IPW:UK's Fourth Year Anniversary Tour in Bromley on 21 September 2008. "The Iron Lions" were the eventual winners of the contest.[20] IPW:UK held their next show in Wolverhampton on 28 September 2008, once again as part of their Fourth Year Anniversary Tour, which saw Zack and El Ligero have their first one-on-one meeting, in which El Ligero picked up the victory.[21]
In 2009 Sabre Jr and Scurll focused their attention on the IPW:UK tag team division, and picked up a memorable win against tag team champions The Thrillers during the company's February tour. A highly anticipated rematch finally took place between the teams at the 2009 "Sittingbourne Spectacular" after the Leaders' scheduled opponents had to pull out through injury. This time the championships were on the line, and the Leaders won again to claim their first championship gold in IPW:UK. The match was considered a Match of the Year candidate, and the feud between the Leaders and the Thrillers became the dominant storyline in IPW:UK through the summer, culminating in the Leaders winning a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match against their rivals in September. The Leaders have enjoyed an unbroken reign as champions since that time.
Though considered an underdog by many, Zack Sabre, Jr. has made it through to the final fourteen of the British National Championship Tournament, hosted by IPW:UK. In the first round of the tournament, Zack defeated "Hated Heroes" member, Aviv Maayan. In the second round of the tournament, Zack was pitted against All Star Wrestling regular, Mikey Whiplash. Zack managed to pick up the win over the more experienced Whiplash, thus scoring a place in the final fourteen. In the final fourteen Zack was scheduled to wrestle The Last Ninja of 3CW, however due to complications, Jules Lambrini took Ninja's place but was defeated by Sabre, Jr. In the quarter finals of the tournament, Zack defeated "The Wonderkid" Jonny Storm in order to score a place in the semi finals, where he was defeated by eventual winner Terry Frazier, one half of The Kartel. [22]
Sabre Jr and Scurll competed in the first match of the newly re-launched Frontier Wrestling Alliance in August 2009, beating Northern Xposure (NX) at "New Frontiers". The feud between these two teams would continue for the next several months, with NX eventually sealing a 2–1 victory in a best of three series after defeating Sabre Jr and Scurll at "British Uproar" in February 2010. Since then the Leaders of the New School have entered into the promotion's tag team championship tournament, qualifying for the semi finals after defeating Project Ego at "The Art of War". Sabre Jr has also had well-received singles matches against Stixx and Joey Hayes during his time in the FWA.
On 17 March 2007, Zack made his debut for LDN Wrestling when he went up against Yorghos. The match was featured on LDN Capital T.V, shown on Sky Digital's TWC:Fight. Zack wrestles occasionally for LDN on shows in Kent and surrounding counties.
Sabre, Jr has made two appearances for NWA Wales, who worked in co-operation with NWA-UK Hammerlock for a short time. On 24 November 2006, in Newport, Zack defeated Jimmy Havoc to retain the NWA-UK Junior Heavyweight Championship.[23] Then on 5 May 2007, in Newport, Edd Ferris defeated Zack Sabre Jr.[24]
On 21 June 2008, Zack took part in an exclusive British six-man tag team match, on the pre-show of Pro Wrestling Noah's UK tour at the Coventry Skydome. The team of Hubba Bubba Lucha (El Ligero & Bubblegum) & Luke "Dragon" Phoenix defeated Sabre Jr, Dave Moralez & Mark Haskins. The following day on 22 June 2008, Zack Sabre Jr fought to a twenty-minute time limit draw, with the current holder of the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship, Yoshinobu Kanemaru.[25]
Sabre wrestled a number of matches on tour with Pro Wrestling Noah between July and September 2011.
On 18 August 2006, Pro Wrestling Noah's Go Shiozaki defeated Sabre, Jr. at a Real Quality Wrestling (RQW) event.[26]
Sabre, Jr. debuted for SAS Wrestling on 20 September 2008, in Great Barr, Birmingham. Zack was defeated by "The Dragon" Luke Phoenix, in a bout that was surrounded by much hype, due to both wrestler's technical/strike based styles.[27] Zack's second appearance came only a few weeks later, taking place on 5 October 2008, in a match which pitted him against "The Human Hate Machine" Dave Moralez, who defeated Sabre in another well received, hard hitting bout[28]
On 7 July 2007, Zack debuted in Spain for the Super Wrestling Alliance, as part of their King Of The Ring tournament. In the first round, Zack defeated Jack Fonso. In the semi final, Zack defeared Lee Flynn. In the final, Zack lost to fellow NWA representative Paul Tracey.[29]
Zack Sabre, Jr. is a large part of Triple X Wrestling in Coventry, where he is considered one of the top names, headlining the past three shows. He is the current Triple X Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, having defeated Adam Shame.
He still sometimes teams with fellow NWA-UK Hammerlock wrestler Jimmy Havoc and had numerous matches with Stiro, Jexodus, Ashton Smith, Chris Stone and many more. On 21 May 2006, at "Name: To Be Confirmed", Zack teamed with Jimmy Havoc, Andy Krae & Violet, as they defeated Jetta, Chris Stone, Danny Williams & Peter Jay.[30] It was on 16 July 2006, at "Chop Him In The Face!!!", when Zack & Jimmy Havoc defeated Stiro & "Hardcore" Keith Myatt, which would only be the start of the Stiro/Sabre series.[31] The two men had their first singles bout on 3 September 2006, at "~", when Stiro defeated Zack in a qualifier for the British Under 23's Championship tournament, however only through help from Keith Myatt.[32] A rematch took place on 29 October 2006, at "Halloween Jimmy Havoc", when Zack defeated Stiro over two out of three falls. Zack was victorious at 2 falls to 1.[33] When Triple X returned on 11 February 2007, they presented "Chop Him In The Valentines!!!", where Zack defeated Ashton Smith.[34] Zack was back to tag team action on 8 April 2007, at "First Annual First Anniversary Show I", when him & Jimmy Havoc were defeated by Adam Shame & Falcon.[35] Zack & Jimmy Havoc teamed up again on 3 June 2007, at "One More Tam!", when they defeated Jexodus (Jekkel & Exodus).[36] Zack returned to singles competition on 9 September 2007, at "Jak'ed Up". Zack wrestled in a four-man elimination contest, featuring Chris Stone, Stiro and Ashton Smith. Chris Stone was the eventual winner of the contest, but lost in a singles match to Zack a month later, on 7 October 2007, at "X".[37] Triple X Wrestling's last official show was on 2 December 2007, entitled "Jak'ed Off...The Night The Road Was Crossed". Zack finished his first Triple X run with a victory over The Damned Nation's Dragon Aisu.[38] During Triple X Wrestling's recent 'limbo' Zack wrestled Bryan Danielson and Dave Moralez in the main events of shows promoted by management of TXW. His match against Bryan Danielson was considered a 2008 Match Of The Year Candidate by fans of Triple X Wrestling. When Triple X Wrestling returned on 31 May 2009 Zack was the first name announced for the 10 Man Clusterf*ck Gauntlet match for the new TXW Heavyweight Championship,[39] as well as being challenged by former Ring of Honor wrestler John Walters. After defeating Walters in the opener of the show he was pinned by Adam Shame in the main event after a gruelling 42 minutes.
On 10 December 2006, Zack wrestled in Westside Xtreme Wrestling's "European King Of The Death Matches Tournament" in Colchester. The tournament was in co-operation with X:Sports Wrestling. Zack got knocked out in the quarter final, in a "Tables, Ladders, Chairs and 10,000 Thumbtacks" match, against Stevie Douglas and Darkside.[40] Zack then made his direct debut for wXw, on 11 June 2008. He fell short to Tommy End, but left a good impression amongst the German fans.[41][42]
Zack picked up his first set of victories in wXw on 26 July 2008, when he defeated both Coone and Rico Bushido via submission on the same night, as part of the tournament for the vacant wXw Lightweight Championship.[43] Zack's next match in the tournament was on 16 August 2008, against Swiss Money Holding's Marc Roudin, who managed to defeat Sabre.[44]
Zack defeated champion Tommy End, Mark Haskins and Emil Sitoci on 16 January 2010 at Back to the Roots in Oberhausen, Germany to win the wXw World Lightweight Championship.[45]
In June 2010, wXw discontinued its weight-class system, setting up a unification match between the company's two singles champions, World Lightweight Champion Sabre and World Heavyweight Champion Steve Douglas, and on 5 June, Sabre defeated Steve Douglas at Dead End X[46] to unify the titles and become the first wXw Unified World Champion.[47]
After defending the title by disqualification against Big van Walter at Broken Rulez X[48] and beating Tommy End at FAN 2010[49] and Masaaki Mochizuki at Dragon Gate: Open the German Gate 2010[50] he eventually lost the belt October, 2nd to Big van Walter.[51]
On 24 February 2012, Zack will make his debut for Preston City Wrestling, one of the fastest growing companies in the North West, where he will take on Noam Dar, Joey Hayes and Dean Allmark