Rockstar Spud

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Rockstar Spud bigraphy, stories - professional wrestler

Rockstar Spud : biography

30 January 1983 –

James Michael Curtin (born 30 January 1983) is an English professional wrestler, better known by his ring names Spud and Rockstar Spud. He is currently signed to TNA. As a face, he has wrestled matches as Spud, often as the underdog who defeats much larger wrestlers. As a heel, he has gone by the name Rockstar Spud, a gimmick based on obnoxious 1980s rock musicians. He has worked for SAS Wrestling, Frontier Wrestling Alliance, Anti-Watershed Wrestling (AWW), IPW:UK New Generation Wrestling (NGW), and Triple X Wrestling (TXW).

In other media

In August 2006, Curtin appeared on Channel 4’s Big Brother’s What They Did After the House, where he was defeated by Big Brother contestant Billi Bhatti at an IPW:UK show in Orpington. In January 2011, Curtin appeared as his Rockstar Spud character on BBC Three’s Snog Marry Avoid, where he was given a makeunder. He played a small part as a clown in a short film called Light the Lights.

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Curtin was originally trained by Jack Storm and Chris Gilbert at the K-Star Wrestling promotion, before eventually coming under the tutelage of "Charming" Don Charles at the SAS Wrestling Academy. Under the ring name Spud, he went on to perform in many independent promotions within the United Kingdom, United States, and Europe. While on the independent circuit, Spud’s first major appearances came with the Revolution British Wrestling promotion in 2003. On 30 August 2003, Spud defeated Jack Hazard to become RBW’s first British Welterweight Champion, a title he held for several months before losing it to "The Gift" Ross Jordan in a Iron Man match in December 2003.

Frontier Wrestling Alliance (2004–2011)

Spud began working for Frontier Wrestling Alliance in 2004, and was brought up into the main roster to be used as a jobber for a short time, competing against many larger opponents. During the start of 2005, however, FWA began showcasing their flyweight division; later that year, Spud entered into a tournament to crown a Flyweight Champion. He made it to the tournament final, where he was defeated by Ross Jordan, who became the first FWA Flyweight Champion. However, Jordan was only awarded the match after the referee stopped the contest due to a kayfabe injury to Spud’s leg. The pair continued to feud for over 14 months, with Jordan repeatedly attacking Spud in attempts to re-injure his leg. The feud ended when Spud defeated Jordan in a Last Man Standing match at FWA Last Fight at the Prom on 30 September 2006.

Following a talent trading agreement with the FWA, Spud made his first US appearance in April 2006, competing for Ring of Honor during their two-night Weekend of Champions shows. Spud appeared during ROH’s first tour of shows in the UK in August 2006, Unified and Anarchy in the UK. He competed under the FWA banner during the British Wrestling United National Under 23s Championship event, being FWA’s entry into the tournament to crown the first champion under 23 years of age. However, Spud lost to the tournament’s eventual winner Sam Slam in the first round.

Upon the FWA’s relaunch, Spud performed under his Rockstar gimmick with an over-the-top entrance including a female security guard, a band, and a groupie. At the comeback show, New Frontiers, Spud was placed into the FWA Flyweight Championship Tournament and won the qualifying fatal four way match. He lost in the next round to Jonny Storm. In 2010, Spud became locked in a war of words with Storm and would take part in multiple FWA Flyweight Championship tournaments. His feud with Storm culminated in a match at New Frontiers 2011, which ended in a no contest.

International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom (2004–2010)

Spud competed regularly for the International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom promotion right from its creation in 2004. Through 2005, Spud had a high profile feud with Jack Storm, which culminated in a street fight in January 2006. While in IPW:UK, Spud became one half of the tag team Dragon Hearts, with fellow wrestler Dragon Phoenix. On 24 September 2006, Dragon Hearts defeated The Untouchables in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match to become IPW:UK Tag Team Champions. The Dragon Hearts also got involved with IPW:UK’s inter-federation feud with Frontier Wrestling Alliance, and even though Spud is a regular for that promotion he wrestled on the side of IPW:UK in a match against Team FWA. The Dragon Hearts teamed up with Leroy Kincaide to face off against Iceman, Jonny Storm, and Jorge Castano in a match that saw both Phoenix and Spud suffer injury. Phoenix deep wound to his head while Spud suffered what appeared to be a separated or dislocated shoulder due to a dropkick at the hands of Storm. Storm and Spud faced off in a grudge match in early 2007 with Spud picking up the win.