Mark Andrews (wrestler)

Mark Andrews
Birth name Mark Andrews
Born January 23, 1992 (age 23)
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Lightning Kid
Mandrews
Mandrews Tarver
Mark Andrews
Billed height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Billed weight 150 lb (68 kg)
Trained by Edd Ferris
Mike Bird
Zack Sabre Jr.[1]
Debut 2006

Mark Andrews is a Welsh professional wrestler currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) performing under the name Mandrews,[2] after spending several years appearing worldwide on the independent wrestling circuit.

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit

2006–2008

Andrews started training at the age of 13, upon discovery of the NWA Wales training school in Newport. As well as training there under Edd Ferris, Andrews would travel to Kent three times a year to attend NWA UK Hammerlock's training camps, where he learned off the likes of John Ryan, Paul Tracey and Andre Baker.[3] It is here that he met Zack Sabre, Jr., who would go on to become Andrews’s mentor.

It was for NWA Wales that Andrews made his wrestling debut, appearing in a battle royal in 2006, in a show which also featured future TNA wrestler Magnus.

Shortly afterwards, Andrews began competing under a mask, using the name “The Lightning Kid”. He has stated that this was to hide his young age from audiences.[3] Andrews’ rise as The Lightning Kid was gradual, with most his appearances in 2006 and 2007 limited to promotions in South Wales.[4] Perhaps most notable in this period was an appearance at the 2007 Holbrooks Festival in Coventry, for Phoenix Wrestling Association.[5]

January 2008 saw Andrews make his first international appearance, when he was flown out to Madrid to compete for La Super Wrestling Alliance (SWA).[6]

In 2009, Andrews first began to gain exposure on Britain’s independent wrestling scene, making appearances for British Championship Wrestling and Premier British Wrestling; where he competed against fellow future TNA British Bootcamp finalist Noam Dar.[7] On November 2009 also saw Andrews wrestled at IPW:UK's event in Chatham, Kent, against his mentor and friend Zack Sabre Jr.[8]

In 2010, Andrews started to appear regularly for Coventry-based Triple X Wrestling. He appeared as part of a stable called “The NexXxus”, a parody of the “Nexus” faction in the WWE. Under the name “Mandrews Tarver”, Andrews joined fellow ‘rookies’ Wade Helix (Helix), Hitch Sheffield (Wild Boar), Phil Otunga (Phil Ward) and Gav Gabriel (Morgan Webster) as the group ambushed and attacked various members of the roster. Andrews’ time in the NexXxus is notable for being the only heel run of Andrews’s career.

In 2011, Andrews debuted for Insane Championship Wrestling in Glasgow,[9] and competed at Premier British Wrestling’s annual “King of Cruisers” six-way match in Irevine.[10]

Andrews also made two appearances for the newly reformed Frontier Wrestling Alliance (FWA), most notably in an encounter against long-time rival Wild Boar at Thorpe Park.[11]

2011–2012

In August, Andrews travelled to Pennsylvania, to make his debut for Chikara. Granted a place in the Young Lions Cup IX, Andrews’ first round match was a four-way eliminator, taking on Tadasuke, Nick Jackson and Sean South. Tadasuke won the match, last eliminating Andrews on the route to victory.[12]

In 2012, Andrews appeared in PROGRESS Wrestling at “PROGRESS Chapter Two: The March Of Progress” in June, Andrews resumed his rivalry with Wild Boar, picking up the victory. Andrews returned at “PROGRESS Chapter Three: Fifty Shades Of Pain”, defeating Xander Cooper, before then entering the National Progression Series tournament. In his first-round match at “PROGRESS Chapter Four: The Ballad Of El Ligero”, Andrews took on Will Osprey, securing a pinfall win with a springboard hurricanrana. Both men received a standing ovation from the PROGRESS fans after the match.[13]

2013

On 2013, Andrews participated in the Natural Progression Series tournament, which Andrews won to claim the trophy and a guaranteed title shot. Andrews cashed in his shot that evening, defeating Rampage Brown to win the title. However, the reign was short lived, as Jimmy Havoc cashed in another guaranteed title shot on the same evening, stealing the title after a series of chair shots.[14][15] Also, Androws won three times the Attack 24/7 Championship.[16][17]

2014

Andrews started to make appearances for Preston City Wrestling, where he twice came up short in encounters for Bubblegum’s PCW Cruiserweight Championship; including in a three-way match that also included Austin Aries.[18] Perhaps most notably, Andrews' match against Kris Travis at “PCW SuperShow 4” received widespread acclaim, including being nominated for “UK Match of the Year” in the Fighting Spirit Magazine Reader Awards 2014; the second year running Andrews had been nominated for the honour.[19]

In London’s PROGRESS Wrestling, Andrews received a re-match for the Progress Championship at “PROGRESS Chapter 13: Unbelievable Jeff”, which Andrews ultimately lost after interference from Paul Robinson. Over the course of the year, Andrews also teamed with friend Eddie Dennis in PROGRESS, entering the PROGRESS Tag Team Title Tournament held at Chapters 11 and 12. The pair, known as FSU, won the tournament and were crowned as the promotion’s first-ever tag team champions. Eddie and Andrews defended the titles a further two times in 2014, leaving the year with their position intact.

In ATTACK! Pro Wrestling, Andrews continued heavy involvement in the creative direction of the organization.[20][21][22] May saw Andrews reprise his role as Pikachu, as ATTACK! presented the second instalment of their popular video game themed shows, “Press Start Level 2”. Taking on Arthur Klauser-Saxon (Tyler Bate), who was styled as Machoke, Andrews picked up the win to gain the hold of the 24:7 Championship for a second time. As with his first reign, he did not hold the title for long – with T-Bone winning the title almost immediately, styled as Bowser. At the following show, “The Weird And Wonderful World Of ATTACK! Pro Wrestling”, Andrews again regained the title, defeating current holders Sam Bailey and Zack Gibson in a soccer-themed tag team match, alongside Pete Dunne. For a third time, Andrews lost the title almost as quickly as he had won it, with Lana Austin & Nixon Newell striking the same evening to take the belt.[23]

Andrews also made another short trip to the US independents in 2014, travelling with Pete Dunne and Damian Dunne to appear in Chikara's yearly King of Trios tournament as "Team UK" in Easton, Pennsylvania. The team defeated The Bloc Party in the first round, advancing to the quarter finals, where they were then felled by The Devastation Corporation. On the third night of the tournament, Andrews appeared in singles action, defeating Oliver Grimsly.[24] His American trip also included a dark match appearance at DREAMWAVE’s “Good As Gold” event in LaSalle, Illinois.[25] In addition to the USA trip, Andrews also made his debut for Germany's award-winning Westside Xtreme Wrestling. Appearing on the Mülheim leg of the “wXw Drive Of Champions Tour”, Andrews teamed with Pete Dunne and Chris Brookes, losing out to Big Daddy Walter, Axel Dieter Jr. and Da Mack.[26]

Andrews' most successful year to-date earned him three nominations at the Fighting Spirit Magazine Reader Awards 2014, where he was shortlisted for "Best UK Wrestler" and "Best UK Tag Team" (with Eddie Dennis), alongside his "UK Match of the Year" nomination for his PCW encounter against Kris Travis. Meanwhile, the online message board UKFF voted Andrews the 3rd best wrestler in the UK, with a series of complimentary comments, including: "Mark's the poster boy of the resurgence British wrestling is seeing at the moment. Talented, likeable, and genuinely cool."[27]

2015

After signing a contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, it was confirmed that Andrews would be moving stateside and, seemingly, leaving the British independent circuit behind.

It was announced that Andrews’ “home” promotion, Attack! Pro Wrestling, would be hosting a farewell show on January 24, 2015. Titled “Mandrews Goes To America”, the show is to be held at Cathays Community Centre in Cardiff, a small venue just minutes from where Andrews grew up. Headlined by the promise of Andrews vs his long-time friend Pete Dunne, tickets for the show sold out in just 12 minutes.[28]

His time at Progress Wrestling also looks set to come to an end, with Andrews scheduled to face off against his partner and fellow tag team champion Eddie Dennis on January 25, with the winner taking both championships and the opportunity to select a new partner.[29]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2014–present)

Andrews competed in a dark match against DJ Z in a losing effort on September 7, 2014 during a Impact Wrestling taping from Fayetteville, North Carolina.[30] In October 2014 Andrews participated in TNA's British Boot Camp. After making it into the finals of the competition and ultimately winning, he earned himself a Total Nonstop Action contract.[31]

Mark made his Impact Wrestling television debut on the January 23rd, 2015 episode during a brawl that involved Ethan Carter III and Jeremy Borash, where he jumped from the crowd to help Jeremy and Rockstar Spud push away Ethan and his bodyguard Tyrus. Mark made his in-ring debut a week later under his Mandrews nickname, teaming up with Spud to defeat The Bromans (Robbie E and Jessie Godderz).

Defend Indy Wrestling

Andrews 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, Andrews created the brand in 2011 with fellow British wrestlers Pete Dunne and Eddie Dennis, producing t-shirts, hoodies and other accessories.[32]

Personal life

Outside of Professional Wrestling, Andrews plays in a pop-punk band called 'Junior' where he is a vocalist and bassist.[33] After studying GCSEs and A Levels at Cardiff High School, Andrews attended the University of Glamorgan.[34]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ↑ "WrestlingData profile". Retrieved 2015-01-12.
  2. ↑ "Mark Andrews Wins British Boot Camp 2!".
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Interview: Mark Andrews on marketing, merchandise and university".
  4. ↑ "Mark Andrews Career (Cagematch.de)".
  5. ↑ "FREE!! PWA show august 18th Holbrroks Festival".
  6. ↑ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Matches « Mark Andrews « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  7. ↑ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Matches « Mark Andrews « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  8. ↑ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Matches « Mark Andrews « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  9. ↑ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Matches « Mark Andrews « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  10. ↑ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Matches « Mark Andrews « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  11. ↑ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Matches « Mark Andrews « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  12. ↑ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Matches « Mark Andrews « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  13. ↑ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Matches « Mark Andrews « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  14. ↑ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Matches « Mark Andrews « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  15. ↑ "2013 Wrestling-related Awards: 2nd of 4". UKFF.
  16. ↑ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Matches « Mark Andrews « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  17. ↑ "ATTACK! Pro 24/7 Championship defense #2 - Robbie X vs Hopespot Hero #1". YouTube.
  18. ↑ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Matches « Mark Andrews « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  19. ↑ "FSM Reader Awards 2014". fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk.
  20. ↑ Ben Stevens. "Bristol: Attack! Pro Wrestling - 'Santa's still real to us, Dammit!' (Trinity Centre, Bristol) - England Events". England Events.
  21. ↑ "10 Questions With …. Chris Ridgeway (@CCwareing) By Craig Jarrett - The Indy Corner Wrestling Podcast". The Indy Corner Wrestling Podcast.
  22. ↑ "Mario, Sonic, Pokemon and Streetfighter: Pro Wrestling style". Geeks are Sexy Technology News.
  23. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=6092&page=4&year=2014&promotion=854. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  24. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=6092&page=4&year=2014&promotion=18. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=6092&page=4&year=2014&promotion=724. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. ↑ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Matches « Mark Andrews « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  27. ↑ "2014 UKFF UK50 - Results Thread". UKFF.
  28. ↑ "Bloody hell! Sold out the Mandrews... - Attack! Pro Wrestling - Facebook". facebook.com.
  29. ↑ "Timeline Photos - PROGRESS Wrestling - Facebook". facebook.com.
  30. ↑ "TNA TV-Taping 9/7/14 results". Cagematch. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  31. ↑ "Mark Andrews Wins British Boot Camp 2!". TNA. Retrieved 2015-01-12.
  32. ↑ "10 Questions With … ‘Dynamite’ Pete Dunne".
  33. ↑ "Junior". Facebook.
  34. ↑ Mark Smith (14 December 2014). "He's 5ft 8in and weighs in at 11st, but Mark Andrews has landed a contract with one of the world's biggest wrestling promotions - Wales Online". walesonline.

External links