Also, instead of ranking someone over someone else, I've decided to list the wrestlers alphabetically. I always find that when someone ranks one wrestler over another, there is always a great deal of debate. All ten entries here have impressed me a great deal in 2002, and to rank one over another really wouldn't be doing any of them justice.
Firstly, the "bubbling unders"; Men and women who impressed in 2002, but only just missed the list; ANGEL - Gradually got better and better in her outings against the Sweet Saraya, before retiring to pursue other interests. HOT STUFF - A mixed year, defending the British title against all-comers before ill health forced him to relinquish the title. KHARISMA - Was thrown in at the deep end in her first match in February. A future champion in the making. THE KRAFT - The promising newcomer impressed many, and earned a British title shot in November. DOUG WILLIAMS - Some will criticise me for not putting him in my top ten. One of the best wrestlers in Britain, but with only three WAW appearances under his belt. Still a damn good wrestler though!
BASH - The baseball bat wielding maniac started the year off well. He progressed steadily as the year went on, mixing it with veterans like Jake Roberts, as well as helping up and coming stars on their way in the wrestling world, impressing many with his performances, until finally grabbing his chance in October and capturing the vacant WAW British title in October. Sadly, events outside the wrestling ring proved to be his downfall. Less than two months after winning the title, he was stripped of the belt and fired from the company. A disappointing way to end a year which promised so much.
DETROIT - A life-long wrestling fan, Marty Reed took the first steps in his wrestling career in 2002. Winning the battle royal at The Talk in April, he impressed everyone with his stellar showing in his debut proper, against the masked El Skeletor, in Hingham the following day. Since then he's gone from strength to strength, putting in good showings against everyone put in front of him, be they rookie or veteran. 2002 was a good debut year for him. 2003 will begin with his debut back home in the States, for Virgina Championship Wrestling.
ROWDY RICKY KNIGHT - Despite being firmly entrenched in the veteran stage of his career, Knight proved that age is no barrier when it comes to having a great match. Capable of mixing power with any of today's top heavyweights, Knight also proved that he can keep up with many of today's top cruiserweights as well. A master at working the crowd, Knight could get the quietest of wrestling fans jumping out of their seat and baying for blood. 2002 was an excellent year for him, especially in July when he captured the TWA British Heavyweight title. Although Father Time may be catching up to him, he shows no sign of slowing down.
ROBIN KNIGHTWING - The Sexy Monkey proved a big hit with WAW fans this year. Whether it be as a screaming heel in Canvey Island, or doing his comedy routine in Lowestoft, the Canadian star, who ranked 364th on the PWI500, showed British fans that not all the wrestlers who come out of Stu Hart's infamous dungeon are all wrestling automatons like Chris Benoit. He is fast becoming something of a cult figure on the British wrestling scene, and many are looking forward to his return to these shores in February.
GENTLEMAN JIMMY OCEAN - Like his Superflys tag-team partner Ricky Knight, he is in the veteran stage of his career, and only competes sporadically these days. However, this doesn't stop him from putting on great shows when he does compete, whether it be against super-heavyweights like the Bulk, or smaller guys like Robin Knightwing.
PHIL POWERS - One of the shining lights of the re-formed Ultimate Wrestling Alliance made the WAW his second home in 2003, and put on some excellent matches against Ricky Knight, Robin Knightwing, the Zebra Kid, and his regular tag-team partner Paul Tyrell. Like his partner Tyrell he is capable of putting in a good performance as either good guy or villain, and like his partner Tyrell is probably one of the most underrated talents in Britain right now.
PAUL TYRELL - The co-owner of the UWA is probably one of the most underrated wrestlers in Britain right now. As well as competing regularly for his own promotion, WAW was also a regular stomping ground of his, where he put in strong performances against everyone he faced, be it in singles, triple threat or tag matches, his match against Phil Powers in May being a particular highlight. A possible future Cruiserweight champion here.
SWEET SARAYA - At a time when most wrestling fans only watch women's wrestling for it's T&A; or HLA content, the Sweet Saraya proved that female grapplers can be just as adept at the mat game as their male counterparts. Being recognised as British champion by WAW, TWA and All-Star, the FWA decided to recognise her as the Universal British Champion. She also captured World gold by defeating Klondyke Kate in April. Despite suffering from a serious shoulder injury towards the end of the year, she continued to prove that perhaps she is not just the best female wrestler in Britain, but the world as well.
THE U.K. PITBULLS - 2002 proved to be a record breaking year for this combo. Though they impressed in singles matches, they impressed even more as a unit, capturing a record seven tag-team titles in the calendar year, something no other team has ever managed in Britain, including the title they wanted the most, the WAW Tag-Team Championship. Big Dave and the Bulk then rounded off the year by returning to America for a second successful tour in as many years. 2002 was a good year for the team, which means that they'll have to do even more to make 2003 better.
THE ZEBRA KID - Where do I start? A year ago, he was competing in great matches, but hardly anyone was taking any notice. No one was taking this kid seriously. 2002 couldn't have been more different. Having competed since the age of 13, 2002 proved to be the breakout year for the Zebra Kid. Not only did he earn rave reviews while working for WAW, but also while working for The Wrestling Alliance, All-Star Wrestling, Premier Promotions, and most notably, the Frontier Wrestling Alliance, capturing titles almost everywhere. He also made his overseas debut this year for Rob Black's Xtreme Pro Wrestling, competing at the famed Viking Hall in Philadelphia. 2002 was a great year for him. 2003 looks to be even better.
Well, that's my final list for 2002. As I mentioned at the start, there's several wrestlers who nearly made this list, but just missed the final cut. Just remember guys, there's always next year!
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