Today is 5 years since we lost Trav. I’ll never forget the moment I woke up and checked my phone to see a text in our group chat telling us he’d gone. We’d been so fortunate to all be together 4 days earlier and say goodbye to him and tell him we loved him. We’d all known this news was coming, but I don’t think you really know how you’re going to feel until it happens. I don’t think broken hearted comes close to describing it.
The day Trav died I wrestled on a show, and when I got to the building G-Man took me into a room and showed me a tribute video he’d made for Trav to be played at the start of the show, and I just broke down. The weeks that followed saw an overwhelming amount of tributes to someone that had brought so much to so many. Every year on this date, social media is flooded with tributes to Trav.
The last text I ever sent to Trav was “I love you”. I hope he knew just how much I, and so many others, meant it.
Miss you brother, always will ❤️💫
This picture is class! (I’m in there. I checked)
When I was 7 years old, my dad took me to see a WWF live event at Whitley Bay Ice Arena. This was my first ever live WWF show, The Undertaker faced Papa Shango. I have a vivid memory of running down to the aisle way to watch The Undertaker’s entrance and see him up close.
Whilst watching the latest episode of The Last Ride over the weekend, it was a really nice surprise to see this moment captured on film. Introducing myself to the same person, this time in New York whilst the NXT UK crew were at WrestleMania.
I’m sure these sort of moments don’t matter to anyone else but me, but I love stuff like this. Because it makes me remember that really cool stuff can happen.
#wwe #ligero #nxtuk #nxt #wrestling #theundertaker #thelastride #newyorkcity #newyork #wrestlemania #wwenetwork
Throwback Tuesday: Helping Ricochet practice for his second job as a chiropractor, Progress Wrestling Chapter 6.
#wwe #nxtuk #nxt #ligero #ricochet #progresswrestling #throwbacktuesday #wrestling
Flashback Friday: Ahead of this weekends historic WrestleMania, some of the NXT UK crew at last years event in New Jersey
#wwe #wrestlemania #nxtuk #ligero #rhearipley #gallus #tonistorm #jinny #davemastiff #travisbanks #kennywilliams #jordandevlin #andyshepherd #glenjoseph #flashbackfriday
From 2004 to 2008, whilst trying to make it as a full time pro wrestler, I worked in a book shop in Leeds called Borders. For a few years, the job was an amazingly fun time in my life and I used to look forward to coming into work every day. One of the main reasons for this was working with a fella called Tony.
From pretty much my first day, Tony looked out for me and went out of his way to help me, and we became good friends. We’d work together on the tills and in the stockroom, and he’d have me crying with laughter. He was outspoken (to the point of constantly winding management up) and was such a brilliant person to have around for morale, and he made cold 7am starts in the winter far more enjoyable than they had any right to be! He left the job before I did, and on his last day he gave me a big hug goodbye.
This morning I got a message from an old work colleague that Tony passed away this week, after losing his battle with liver cancer. I’m able to look back on all the hours I spent with Tony, either at work or drinking incredibly cheap bitter in the Angel, with a lot of fondness. He lived a full and happy life, and I hope he knew just how many of my days he made brighter.
Rest In Peace mate.
The news of Mal Mason losing his fight for life this morning hit hard. I’ve been lucky enough to know Mal for the last 10 years and all the shows I saw him at, he always had a smile on his face and a story to tell.
He gave me a lot of advice in my first few years with All-Star, and was such an uplifting person to be around. Wether he was refereeing or behind the merchandise table, he just seemed so happy and grateful for the life he got to lead.
I got a text from Brian Dixon on Sunday informing me that Mal’s health had taken a turn for the worse and I was lucky enough to be able to have some communication with Mal that afternoon. I wish I’d gotten to see him one last time.
Rest In Peace my friend, you’ll be missed by so many.
Happy birthday to my dad, who turns 64 today!
Growing up, my dad was my hero and I looked up to him so much. He was always there for me whenever I needed help or motivation, and he’s always supported me. He encouraged me to follow my dreams and always believed in me.
In 2012, my dad was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, a battle I had no idea he was fighting. Talking to him about it through the years and trying to help him fight through the dark days really opened my eyes to the effects of mental health and how badly it can affect those suffering. There’s days where he struggles a lot to get through it, but he still makes sure he’s always there if I need him and he makes me proud every single day by getting up and pushing through the darkness. I have so much respect for him for how strong he is (without him even knowing it) and I love him very much ❤️
🐅👑
It would be nearly impossible to describe the effect Brian Dixon had on the lives of so many people, and I’m not sure I could ever find the words to sum up how thankful I was to have known him. The news today is heartbreaking.
I first met Brian in 2000 when I was trying to break into the wrestling business. I’d written him a letter asking for advice and he’d asked me to come to a show at Leeds Town Hall, where I sold programmes for him. In 2008 I started working for All Star, and for the next 13 years I worked for Brian constantly.
I spent countless hours travelling with Brian in the car and at hundreds of shows up and down the country. Brian wasn’t just a promoter I worked for, I considered him a friend. I grew so fond of all the things that made Brian so unique, especially in later years when I didn’t see him as much. His singing in the car, the way he’d turn the heating up to try and get people to fall asleep on the journeys if he didn’t want to talk to them, the ridiculous nicknames he used for people, all the little sayings & phrases that everyone associated with him. I appreciate how much laughter he gave us more now than ever.
One of my favourite stories was at one of the Butlins camps when we’d all stay over in the chalets. Anyone who ever met Brian came away trying to do an impression of how he spoke, because it was so unique. One night in Minehead, we must have all been particularly loud in the evening telling stories because when we all saw Brian the next morning (who had been in a chalet to himself next to ours), he said about being kept up “I knew it was you lot, because I could hear my own voice all night!”
I couldn’t possibly do justice to how important Brian was to me. I’d never have been able to live my life as a full time professional wrestler without him. He gave me so many opportunities and so many memories, and he was such a huge part of that chapter of my life. Brian changed my life for the better.
One of the last text exchanges we had, I was fortunate enough to tell him how much I appreciated everything he’d done for me and the reply he sent was so moving and kind.
I loved Brian and I’ll miss him deeply. Thank you for everything ❤️
It would be nearly impossible to describe the effect Brian Dixon had on the lives of so many people, and I’m not sure I could ever find the words to sum up how thankful I was to have known him. The news today is heartbreaking.
I first met Brian in 2000 when I was trying to break into the wrestling business. I’d written him a letter asking for advice and he’d asked me to come to a show at Leeds Town Hall, where I sold programmes for him. In 2008 I started working for All Star, and for the next 13 years I worked for Brian constantly.
I spent countless hours travelling with Brian in the car and at hundreds of shows up and down the country. Brian wasn’t just a promoter I worked for, I considered him a friend. I grew so fond of all the things that made Brian so unique, especially in later years when I didn’t see him as much. His singing in the car, the way he’d turn the heating up to try and get people to fall asleep on the journeys if he didn’t want to talk to them, the ridiculous nicknames he used for people, all the little sayings & phrases that everyone associated with him. I appreciate how much laughter he gave us more now than ever.
One of my favourite stories was at one of the Butlins camps when we’d all stay over in the chalets. Anyone who ever met Brian came away trying to do an impression of how he spoke, because it was so unique. One night in Minehead, we must have all been particularly loud in the evening telling stories because when we all saw Brian the next morning (who had been in a chalet to himself next to ours), he said about being kept up “I knew it was you lot, because I could hear my own voice all night!”
I couldn’t possibly do justice to how important Brian was to me. I’d never have been able to live my life as a full time professional wrestler without him. He gave me so many opportunities and so many memories, and he was such a huge part of that chapter of my life. Brian changed my life for the better.
One of the last text exchanges we had, I was fortunate enough to tell him how much I appreciated everything he’d done for me and the reply he sent was so moving and kind.
I loved Brian and I’ll miss him deeply. Thank you for everything ❤️
I was sad to hear of the unfortunate demise of Preston’s Evoque nightclub last week and it turned me to reflect on a lot of brilliant memories I had there as part of Preston City Wrestling.
I debuted for PCW on their first official show at Evoque and, being completely honest, the first few shows there felt underwhelming. The wrestling felt secondary, almost like it was background fodder for a night out. In December 2011 however, things clicked. Myself and 5 of my best friends at the time opened the Christmas show in a 6-Way and the atmosphere was fantastic. The crowds had started to recognise and resonate with a lot of the British wrestlers, most of us being relatively unknown at that point, an indication of the U.K. scene at the time.
From that point onwards, PCW began to hit its stride and as wrestling began to catch fire across the country, Evoque became one of the hotbeds of the scene. Pretty much every single show was packed and so many of us were afforded these wonderful opportunities to wrestle some of the biggest names the independents had to offer.
I credit my 2012 match with then-Dragon Gate star Akira Tozawa as being one of the key moments of my career, but I had a lot of moments in Evoque that I hold dear. I had matches with many that have gone on to big things. I wrestled The Young Bucks, ReDragon, Tommaso Ciampa, Ultimo Dragon, Adam Cole, Super Crazy and Juventud Guerrera. I wrestled Matt Hardy on an afternoon show 15 minutes after he showed up at the venue worse for wear from the night before, and I got absolutely battered by Low-Ki after he spent 3 hours explaining how wrestling worked to me.
I got to see my friends absolutely kill it against big names, I got to see them get huge reactions and create incredible moments, with undoubtedly the pinnacle being Trav’s inspiring return from cancer.
Evoque wasn’t just responsible for being part of a golden era for British wrestling, it was a place that helped us all grow as performers. I’ve no real involvement in wrestling anymore, but I’ll always be grateful for places like Evoque and PCW for what it gave to me.
I was sad to hear of the unfortunate demise of Preston’s Evoque nightclub last week and it turned me to reflect on a lot of brilliant memories I had there as part of Preston City Wrestling.
I debuted for PCW on their first official show at Evoque and, being completely honest, the first few shows there felt underwhelming. The wrestling felt secondary, almost like it was background fodder for a night out. In December 2011 however, things clicked. Myself and 5 of my best friends at the time opened the Christmas show in a 6-Way and the atmosphere was fantastic. The crowds had started to recognise and resonate with a lot of the British wrestlers, most of us being relatively unknown at that point, an indication of the U.K. scene at the time.
From that point onwards, PCW began to hit its stride and as wrestling began to catch fire across the country, Evoque became one of the hotbeds of the scene. Pretty much every single show was packed and so many of us were afforded these wonderful opportunities to wrestle some of the biggest names the independents had to offer.
I credit my 2012 match with then-Dragon Gate star Akira Tozawa as being one of the key moments of my career, but I had a lot of moments in Evoque that I hold dear. I had matches with many that have gone on to big things. I wrestled The Young Bucks, ReDragon, Tommaso Ciampa, Ultimo Dragon, Adam Cole, Super Crazy and Juventud Guerrera. I wrestled Matt Hardy on an afternoon show 15 minutes after he showed up at the venue worse for wear from the night before, and I got absolutely battered by Low-Ki after he spent 3 hours explaining how wrestling worked to me.
I got to see my friends absolutely kill it against big names, I got to see them get huge reactions and create incredible moments, with undoubtedly the pinnacle being Trav’s inspiring return from cancer.
Evoque wasn’t just responsible for being part of a golden era for British wrestling, it was a place that helped us all grow as performers. I’ve no real involvement in wrestling anymore, but I’ll always be grateful for places like Evoque and PCW for what it gave to me.
I was sad to hear of the unfortunate demise of Preston’s Evoque nightclub last week and it turned me to reflect on a lot of brilliant memories I had there as part of Preston City Wrestling.
I debuted for PCW on their first official show at Evoque and, being completely honest, the first few shows there felt underwhelming. The wrestling felt secondary, almost like it was background fodder for a night out. In December 2011 however, things clicked. Myself and 5 of my best friends at the time opened the Christmas show in a 6-Way and the atmosphere was fantastic. The crowds had started to recognise and resonate with a lot of the British wrestlers, most of us being relatively unknown at that point, an indication of the U.K. scene at the time.
From that point onwards, PCW began to hit its stride and as wrestling began to catch fire across the country, Evoque became one of the hotbeds of the scene. Pretty much every single show was packed and so many of us were afforded these wonderful opportunities to wrestle some of the biggest names the independents had to offer.
I credit my 2012 match with then-Dragon Gate star Akira Tozawa as being one of the key moments of my career, but I had a lot of moments in Evoque that I hold dear. I had matches with many that have gone on to big things. I wrestled The Young Bucks, ReDragon, Tommaso Ciampa, Ultimo Dragon, Adam Cole, Super Crazy and Juventud Guerrera. I wrestled Matt Hardy on an afternoon show 15 minutes after he showed up at the venue worse for wear from the night before, and I got absolutely battered by Low-Ki after he spent 3 hours explaining how wrestling worked to me.
I got to see my friends absolutely kill it against big names, I got to see them get huge reactions and create incredible moments, with undoubtedly the pinnacle being Trav’s inspiring return from cancer.
Evoque wasn’t just responsible for being part of a golden era for British wrestling, it was a place that helped us all grow as performers. I’ve no real involvement in wrestling anymore, but I’ll always be grateful for places like Evoque and PCW for what it gave to me.
I was sad to hear of the unfortunate demise of Preston’s Evoque nightclub last week and it turned me to reflect on a lot of brilliant memories I had there as part of Preston City Wrestling.
I debuted for PCW on their first official show at Evoque and, being completely honest, the first few shows there felt underwhelming. The wrestling felt secondary, almost like it was background fodder for a night out. In December 2011 however, things clicked. Myself and 5 of my best friends at the time opened the Christmas show in a 6-Way and the atmosphere was fantastic. The crowds had started to recognise and resonate with a lot of the British wrestlers, most of us being relatively unknown at that point, an indication of the U.K. scene at the time.
From that point onwards, PCW began to hit its stride and as wrestling began to catch fire across the country, Evoque became one of the hotbeds of the scene. Pretty much every single show was packed and so many of us were afforded these wonderful opportunities to wrestle some of the biggest names the independents had to offer.
I credit my 2012 match with then-Dragon Gate star Akira Tozawa as being one of the key moments of my career, but I had a lot of moments in Evoque that I hold dear. I had matches with many that have gone on to big things. I wrestled The Young Bucks, ReDragon, Tommaso Ciampa, Ultimo Dragon, Adam Cole, Super Crazy and Juventud Guerrera. I wrestled Matt Hardy on an afternoon show 15 minutes after he showed up at the venue worse for wear from the night before, and I got absolutely battered by Low-Ki after he spent 3 hours explaining how wrestling worked to me.
I got to see my friends absolutely kill it against big names, I got to see them get huge reactions and create incredible moments, with undoubtedly the pinnacle being Trav’s inspiring return from cancer.
Evoque wasn’t just responsible for being part of a golden era for British wrestling, it was a place that helped us all grow as performers. I’ve no real involvement in wrestling anymore, but I’ll always be grateful for places like Evoque and PCW for what it gave to me.
I was sad to hear of the unfortunate demise of Preston’s Evoque nightclub last week and it turned me to reflect on a lot of brilliant memories I had there as part of Preston City Wrestling.
I debuted for PCW on their first official show at Evoque and, being completely honest, the first few shows there felt underwhelming. The wrestling felt secondary, almost like it was background fodder for a night out. In December 2011 however, things clicked. Myself and 5 of my best friends at the time opened the Christmas show in a 6-Way and the atmosphere was fantastic. The crowds had started to recognise and resonate with a lot of the British wrestlers, most of us being relatively unknown at that point, an indication of the U.K. scene at the time.
From that point onwards, PCW began to hit its stride and as wrestling began to catch fire across the country, Evoque became one of the hotbeds of the scene. Pretty much every single show was packed and so many of us were afforded these wonderful opportunities to wrestle some of the biggest names the independents had to offer.
I credit my 2012 match with then-Dragon Gate star Akira Tozawa as being one of the key moments of my career, but I had a lot of moments in Evoque that I hold dear. I had matches with many that have gone on to big things. I wrestled The Young Bucks, ReDragon, Tommaso Ciampa, Ultimo Dragon, Adam Cole, Super Crazy and Juventud Guerrera. I wrestled Matt Hardy on an afternoon show 15 minutes after he showed up at the venue worse for wear from the night before, and I got absolutely battered by Low-Ki after he spent 3 hours explaining how wrestling worked to me.
I got to see my friends absolutely kill it against big names, I got to see them get huge reactions and create incredible moments, with undoubtedly the pinnacle being Trav’s inspiring return from cancer.
Evoque wasn’t just responsible for being part of a golden era for British wrestling, it was a place that helped us all grow as performers. I’ve no real involvement in wrestling anymore, but I’ll always be grateful for places like Evoque and PCW for what it gave to me.
I was sad to hear of the unfortunate demise of Preston’s Evoque nightclub last week and it turned me to reflect on a lot of brilliant memories I had there as part of Preston City Wrestling.
I debuted for PCW on their first official show at Evoque and, being completely honest, the first few shows there felt underwhelming. The wrestling felt secondary, almost like it was background fodder for a night out. In December 2011 however, things clicked. Myself and 5 of my best friends at the time opened the Christmas show in a 6-Way and the atmosphere was fantastic. The crowds had started to recognise and resonate with a lot of the British wrestlers, most of us being relatively unknown at that point, an indication of the U.K. scene at the time.
From that point onwards, PCW began to hit its stride and as wrestling began to catch fire across the country, Evoque became one of the hotbeds of the scene. Pretty much every single show was packed and so many of us were afforded these wonderful opportunities to wrestle some of the biggest names the independents had to offer.
I credit my 2012 match with then-Dragon Gate star Akira Tozawa as being one of the key moments of my career, but I had a lot of moments in Evoque that I hold dear. I had matches with many that have gone on to big things. I wrestled The Young Bucks, ReDragon, Tommaso Ciampa, Ultimo Dragon, Adam Cole, Super Crazy and Juventud Guerrera. I wrestled Matt Hardy on an afternoon show 15 minutes after he showed up at the venue worse for wear from the night before, and I got absolutely battered by Low-Ki after he spent 3 hours explaining how wrestling worked to me.
I got to see my friends absolutely kill it against big names, I got to see them get huge reactions and create incredible moments, with undoubtedly the pinnacle being Trav’s inspiring return from cancer.
Evoque wasn’t just responsible for being part of a golden era for British wrestling, it was a place that helped us all grow as performers. I’ve no real involvement in wrestling anymore, but I’ll always be grateful for places like Evoque and PCW for what it gave to me.
I was sad to hear of the unfortunate demise of Preston’s Evoque nightclub last week and it turned me to reflect on a lot of brilliant memories I had there as part of Preston City Wrestling.
I debuted for PCW on their first official show at Evoque and, being completely honest, the first few shows there felt underwhelming. The wrestling felt secondary, almost like it was background fodder for a night out. In December 2011 however, things clicked. Myself and 5 of my best friends at the time opened the Christmas show in a 6-Way and the atmosphere was fantastic. The crowds had started to recognise and resonate with a lot of the British wrestlers, most of us being relatively unknown at that point, an indication of the U.K. scene at the time.
From that point onwards, PCW began to hit its stride and as wrestling began to catch fire across the country, Evoque became one of the hotbeds of the scene. Pretty much every single show was packed and so many of us were afforded these wonderful opportunities to wrestle some of the biggest names the independents had to offer.
I credit my 2012 match with then-Dragon Gate star Akira Tozawa as being one of the key moments of my career, but I had a lot of moments in Evoque that I hold dear. I had matches with many that have gone on to big things. I wrestled The Young Bucks, ReDragon, Tommaso Ciampa, Ultimo Dragon, Adam Cole, Super Crazy and Juventud Guerrera. I wrestled Matt Hardy on an afternoon show 15 minutes after he showed up at the venue worse for wear from the night before, and I got absolutely battered by Low-Ki after he spent 3 hours explaining how wrestling worked to me.
I got to see my friends absolutely kill it against big names, I got to see them get huge reactions and create incredible moments, with undoubtedly the pinnacle being Trav’s inspiring return from cancer.
Evoque wasn’t just responsible for being part of a golden era for British wrestling, it was a place that helped us all grow as performers. I’ve no real involvement in wrestling anymore, but I’ll always be grateful for places like Evoque and PCW for what it gave to me.
Happy birthday to my incredible mum who turns 65 today 🥳❤️
This isn’t something I’ve talked about publicly before, and please be aware that it’s quite heavy and possibly triggering to some, but I feel at a place where I’m comfortable being open about something I feel is important.
Last year I had decided to take my own life. To the point where I had decided where and what I was going to do.
I’d lost people from my life through suicide before and I could never understand how anyone could feel that way. When I reached that point mentally in my own life, it wasn’t because of panic or desperation. The only way I can describe it is feeling like being trapped in a thick endless fog with no road forward.
I wouldn’t still be alive today if a handful of people hadn’t reached into that fog and helped me slowly learn how to pull myself out of it. Those people saved my life just by checking in on me, telling me they were there for me and showing me that a road forward existed. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the chances to put the work in towards changing my life and myself for the better.
Last Christmas, as I spent time with my family, I realised just how different life would be for the people that cared about me, what they would have to go through, and I felt so grateful to those that reached to me.
Checking in on people can help change their lives for the better and it can save lives.
Let people know that they matter. That someone cares. That they mean something. That as hopeless as it might feel sometimes, there’s always a way forward.
One of the best summer camp teams I’ve been a part of.
L-R: Tyson Taylor, Dean Allmark, myself, Nathan Cruz, Colossus Kennedy, Little Legs, Joey Hayes, James Mason, Danny Hope, CJ Banks.
Photo taken at Winter Gardens, Blackpool, August 2012.
Fighting over who gets the remote during lockdown.
Happy Birthday Trav 💕💫
I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’d love to be able to still talk to you or just have one more road trip filled with tears of laughter.
Miss you always mate ❤️
Sometimes this feels like just yesterday, other times it feels like a lifetime ago. 6 years already. This one’s for you brother, love you and miss you 💫❤️
