Here’s Everything You Need to Know About UK Tournament Competitors

Tyler Bate

Height: 5’7”
Weight: 175 lbs.
From: Dudley, England
Signature Move: Gotch Style Tombstone

Your typical 19-year-old’s daily routine probably consists of school, hanging with friends and the occasional game of FIFA, but Tyler Bate is no typical 19-year-old. With five years’ experience in promotions like Fight Club Pro, PROGRESS and Chikara, this grappler from Dudley, England, spent his formative years inside the ring inspired by one of the more eclectic groups you’ll ever hear — Johnny Saint, Steve Grey and The Big Red Monster, Kane.

Bate honed his craft while earning his daily quid as a forklift operator to pay the bills. (His one concession to teenage hobbies? He plays drums — strictly classic rock.) A technically sound wrestler who prefers things fair but isn’t afraid to get down and dirty, Bate freely admits that the WWE United Kingdom Tournament is the first of many opportunities for him, and as a result, he has nothing to lose. And you know the old adage about men with nothing to lose …

James Drake

Height: 5’11″
Weight: 178 lbs.
From: Blackpool, England
Signature Move: Mr. Mayhem

James Drake is as cold and as calculating as they come. Despite being in his early 20s, Drake comes to the ring with 10 years of experience, starting his wrestling training at age 13. The competitor from Blackpool, England, is known for his aggressive style — developed at age 19 after he refused to get knocked around the ring anymore — and he caps his beatdowns with a punishing sit-out DDT he calls “Mr. Mayhem.”

In preparation for the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament, Drake cut his body fat in half, dropping from 22 percent to 11 percent. If his opponents think that might somehow impact his in-ring style, be warned: Anyone who sleeps on Drake might just end up staying that way following an unwelcome introduction to Mr. Mayhem.

Tucker

Height: 5’8”
Weight: 191 lbs.
From: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Signature Move: Superkick

Tucker was born with 26 hours to live. He needed tubes to breathe and stay alive. Now, 26 years later, he’s gearing up for the opportunity of a lifetime. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and trained by WWE Superstar Finn Bàlor, Tucker specializes in aerial moves and can unleash a jaw-rattling superkick in the blink of an eye.

He has experienced life away from wrestling before, which makes him a scary threat inside the squared circle. After undergoing a potential career-ending knee surgery, Tucker was sidelined for 10 months. Having his love taken from him during that time reignited Tucker’s passion for competing in the ring. And with that renewed focus, he’s looking to make waves in the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament.

Tyson T-Bone

Height: 6’0”
Weight: 245 lbs.
From: Malvern, England
Signature Move: Gypsy’s Kiss

Tyson T-Bone loves traveling from town to town and getting into fights. His next stop? The WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament.

Because of his unique background, T-Bone is more of a bare-knuckle fighter than a wrestler, utilizing a barrage of punches, kicks and headbutts to get his point across in the ring. A tip to the referees: Keep on eye of this guy, as he isn’t afraid to also incorporate a dirty tactic or two into his arsenal. Put simply, as T-Bone himself explains, “My style is to win.

It’s a style he has become very familiar with, thanks much in part to his Gypsy’s Kiss finisher. “Once you’ve had that on your head,” T-Bone says, “the only thing you’ll be doing is wishing yourself good night.”

For T-Bone, the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament will be more fun than a bar brawl. It’s his chance at four fights in one weekend. And when he wins, he plans to return to his village and proclaim himself “King of the Travelers,” proving along the way that gypsies are damn honest fighters, and that it’s good to be different.