Danny Burch

"Martin Stone (wrestler)" redirects here. For other people, see Martin Stone.

Danny Burch
Burch in April 2018
Birth nameMartin Harris
Born (1981-12-31) 31 December 1981 (age 42)
London, England
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Danny Burch[1]
Joe Riot
Martin Stone
Danny Briggs
Billed height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[1]
Billed weight190 lb (86 kg)[1]
Billed fromEast London[1]
Debut2003

Martin Harris (born 31 December 1981) is an English professional wrestler best known for his time with WWE, where he performed on the NXT brand under the ring name Danny Burch. He is a former one time NXT Tag Team Champion with Oney Lorcan.[1] He has worked in the British independent circuit under the ring name Martin Stone with promotions such as Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW), Frontier Wrestling Alliance (FWA), and International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom (IPW:UK).

Early life

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Martin Harris was born on 31 December 1981 in London, England.[2]

Professional wrestling career

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European independent circuit (2003–2011)

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Stone in May 2010

Harris trained in the FWA Academy in 2003–04; competing under the ring name Joe Riot in various shows, including a match for All Star Wrestling in Croydon in Summer 2003;[3] making his first appearance at FWA:A's Revenge – Chapter IV in losing effort to Leroy Kincaide on 29 November 2003 in Portsmouth. Harris made his first main roster appearance under the name "Martin Stone" on 4 September 2004, in a losing effort to Jack Xavier at a Live in Morecambe show. Stone would soon be paired with FWA:A trainee Stixx and manager "Twisted Genius" Dean Ayass to form the tag team Stixx and Stone.

While still in the FWA, Stone travelled all over the United Kingdom, competing in several other promotions including: International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom, One Pro Wrestling, LDN Wrestling, and Real Quality Wrestling. Stone won several top titles in these promotions the most notable of which would be his 15-month title reign as IPW:UK Champion.

Back in the FWA, Stixx and Stone would quickly capture the FWA Tag Team Championships from the team of Hampton Court (Duke of Danger and Simmons) on 18 June 2005 at FWA NOAH Limits. Stone would be stripped of the title 16 months later after being unable to make a mandatory title defence on 19 November 2006 due to commitments with IPW:UK.

The tag title strip happened at the height of FWA's "Civil War" with IPW:UK, which would quickly see then-IPW:UK champion Stone officially leave FWA to stay on the side of IPW:UK. Stone would lead the war against the FWA and is in preparation to face semi-retired FWA star Alex Shane in a Promotion v Promotion – Winner Takes All Match at Broxbourne on 16 March 2007. This match however ended up taking place in Orpington several weeks later, with Flash Barker replacing an injured Alex Shane.

In late April 2007, Stone represented Real Quality Wrestling in the prestigious King of Europe Cup where he was defeated by Go Shiozaki in the first round.

During this time Stone would compete in and win an RQW tournament at Not Just For Christmas to become RQW's Heavyweight Champion. Stone defeated Iceman and Aviv Maayan in the first two rounds before defeating Pac in the final to win the vacant championship.

In September 2007, Stone began to compete regularly for the German promotion Westside Xtreme Wrestling. On 26 July 2008, Stone won the wXw Tag Team Championship alongside Doug Williams when the pair beat AbLas (Absolute Andy and Steve Douglas) at wXw Broken Rulz VIII in Oberhausen.[4]

In February 2008, Stone competed Chikara's King of Trios tournament in Philadelphia, United States, teaming with The Kartel as Team IPW:UK, but were defeated in the second round of the tournament by the Golden Trio (Delirious, Hallowicked and Helios). On 28 August 2008, Stone defeated Eamon O'Neill and James Tighe to win the Premier Promotions Worthing Trophy.

On 13 February 2010 at the British Uproar event in Broxbourne, Martin Stone defeated Andy Simmonz in the tournament finals to become the first FWA World Heavyweight Champion.[citation needed] In a speech after the match he turned against the fans and claimed that he was only using British wrestling as a stepping stone to a big-money contract in the US. A month later he became the leader of "The Agenda", a faction of FWA wrestlers with aims along the same lines.

On 14 March 2010 at PW101 Unstoppable at The Hubs in Sheffield. Martin Stone defeated 11 other men in the 101 Championship Rush match last defeating Martin Kirby to become Pro Wrestling 101's first and only Heavyweight Champion. Upon returning to Britain in 2014, Stone challenged for Jack Jester's ICW Heavyweight Championship but was defeated.[5]

WWE (2011–2014)

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In late 2011, Harris signed with WWE and reported to its developmental territory in June 2012.[6] He was given the ring name Danny Burch,[7] and he made his televised debut for NXT Wrestling on 15 May 2013, episode of NXT with a loss to Bray Wyatt.[8] From then on, Burch was used sporadically as enhancement talent until it was reported on 30 April 2014 that he was released by WWE.[9]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2014–2015)

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In 2014 Harris, under his Martin Stone name, appeared on the second season of TNA British Boot Camp. On 16 February 2015 Harris competed at the TNA One Night Only: Gut Check, where he defeated Jessie Godderz to qualify for the final match later that night. He then competed in a five-way elimination match where the winner of that match would earn an appearance on the next episode of Impact Wrestling, though he was unsuccessful as the match was won by Tevita Fifita.

Return to WWE

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Sporadic appearances (2015–2017)

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On 16 July 2015, though not re-signed to WWE, Stone made an appearance on an NXT television taping, where he lost to Kevin Owens. He made a second appearance on the 13 August 2015 taping of NXT, where he lost to Apollo Crews. He made a third appearance on 16 September, where he was referred to as his old NXT name Danny Burch, losing to Tye Dillinger. He made a fourth appearance on the 21 October 2015 taping of NXT, where he lost to James Storm. Burch made a further appearance on NXT on 13 January 2016 in a losing effort against Tommaso Ciampa. He again faced Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, teaming up with Rob Ryzin on the 18 May taping of NXT, losing again. On 14 September 2016, during the Cruiserweight Classic Finale he teamed up with Sean Maluta and lost to The Bollywood Boyz, Gurv Sihra and Harv Sihra, in a dark match. On 6 January 2017 it was announced by WWE that Burch will be a participant in the 16 man WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament. Burch was eliminated in the first round by Jordan Devlin.[10] On the 19 April episode of NXT, Burch appeared in a losing effort to Andrade "Cien" Almas. He would then appear in NXT as part of the UK division this time losing to the WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne.

Teaming with Oney Lorcan (2017–2022)

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Burch (right) and Oney Lorcan performing their signature pose in June 2018

From August, Burch would begin a feud with Oney Lorcan, after the two traded victories, they would go on to form a tag team and would feud with Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli. In early 2018 they would take part in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, but were eliminated in the first round.[11] On 29 April 2018, Burch signed a full-time contract with WWE again.[12][13] Burch and Lorcan would go on to face The Undisputed Era (Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong) at NXT Takeover: Chicago in a losing effort.

On 24 September 2019 Burch made his 205 Live debut when he and his tag team partner, Oney Lorcan defeated the WWE Cruiserweight Champion Drew Gulak and Tony Nese.[14]

On 30 January 2020 Burch returned to NXT UK to team up with Oney Lorcan in a tag team match defeating The Hunt (Primate and Wild Boar).[15] They then teamed up again on the 13 February episode of NXT UK in a non-title match against the NXT UK Tag Team Champions Gallus (Mark Coffey and Wolfgang) but failed to beat them.[16] On the May 20 episode of NXT, Lorcan and Burch defeated Ever-Rise and proceeded to call out the NXT Tag Team Champions Imperium (Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner) afterwards by mocking their signature pose. The following week, they challenged them for the NXT Tag Team Titles but were defeated by Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) in a No #1 Contender's match.

On 21 October episode of NXT, after Undisputed Era members Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong were taken out, Lorcan and Burch replaced them in an NXT Tag Team Championship match.[17] They won the titles by defeating Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) with help from Pat McAfee, turning heel in the process.[18][17][19] On 23 March 2021, William Regal vacated the NXT Tag Team Championship after Burch suffered a shoulder injury.[20] On the September 7 edition of NXT, Burch and Lorcan challenged MSK for the titles but were defeated. After the match both Holland and Dunne attacked Lorcan & Burch thus ending their alliance. On November 4, Lorcan was released from his WWE contract, disbanding their team. On 5 January 2022 Burch was released from his WWE contract.[21]

Return to the independent circuit (2023–present)

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On 13 January 2023 Stone returned to the ring following his release from WWE. In his first match back, he competed for Coastal Championship Wrestling in Kissimmee, Florida.[22]

All Elite Wrestling (2024–present)

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On 27 April 2024, under his Martin Stone name, debuted for All Elite Wrestling during an episode of AEW Collision, losing to Rush.[23]

Championships and accomplishments

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Martin Stone with the FWA World Heavyweight Championship in May 2010

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Danny Burch". WWE. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Danny Burch". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  3. ^ Shows featuring Joe Riot from the cagematch.net show database. Retrieved 17/12/06.
  4. ^ "wXw "Broken Rulz VIII" show report". wxw-wrestling.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  5. ^ "ICW Shug's Hoose Party".
  6. ^ "FORMER PBW AND BRITISH STAR HEADS OUT TO WWE". Premier British Wrestling. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  7. ^ "THURS. UPDATE: SummerSlam activities, Hint on WWE network, Japanese tag champs face off on U.S. TV tonight, TNA notes for tonight, Rousey on all sorts of subjects, Big Fight Odds, Rock & Carano, A.J. talks current role, new WWE guys, Angle, Tenay". Wrestling Observer. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  8. ^ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 5/15 & 5/22: El Generico debuts, O'Brian beats two NXT releases in same match, Bray Wyatt debuts mask, Natalya vs. Rae, more developments". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  9. ^ "Former Nexus Member, Second Generation Diva and more released by WWE". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  10. ^ Soucek, Andrew (14 January 2017). "SOUCEK'S WWE UK CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT REPORT 1/14: Ongoing coverage of night one of UK Championship tournament". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  11. ^ "A new path forged: Are Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan the tag team of the future?". wwe.com. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  12. ^ "New Wwe Nxt Signing". PWInsider.com. 29 April 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  13. ^ Clapp, John. "Danny Burch signs WWE contract, joins WWE Performance Center". WWE. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch def. Drew Gulak & Tony Nese". WWE. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  15. ^ "NXT UK results, Jan. 30, 2020: Mastiff comes in conflict with WALTER as Imperium emerge victorious in a Six-Man Tag Team main event". WWE. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  16. ^ "NXT UK results, Feb 13, 2020: Gallus remind Dragunov that NXT UK is their kingdom with a three-on-one onslaught". WWE. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  17. ^ a b Moore, John (21 October 2020). "10/21 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Tyler Breeze and Fandango vs. Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish for the NXT Tag Titles, Kushida vs. Tommaso Ciampa vs. Velveteen Dream in a Triple Threat, Legado Del Fantasma vs. Isaiah Scott, Jake Atlas, and Ashante Adonis". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  18. ^ Lamber, Jeremy (21 October 2020). "New NXT Tag Team Champions Crowned, Pat McAfee Returns". Fightful. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  19. ^ Garretson, Jordan (21 October 2020). "WWE NXT results, Oct. 21, 2020: Pat McAfee conspires with Burch & Lorcan to crown new NXT Tag Team Champions". WWE. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  20. ^ "I can confirm this incredibly unfortunate news and make the difficult decision to vacate the #WWENXT Tag Team Titles. Furthermore, I will address the state of the titles further tomorrow night on @WWENXT". Twitter. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  21. ^ Guzzo, Gisberto (5 January 2022). "Road Dogg Among Multiple Performance Center Staff Released By WWE, SVP Released". Fightful. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  22. ^ "CCW Conquer Kissimmee 7". 13 January 2023.
  23. ^ "AEW Collision & Rampage Results for April 27, 2024 | All Elite Wrestling". www.allelitewrestling.com. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  24. ^ "4FW Championship History". Wrestling Data. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  25. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "4FW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  26. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "GWC Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  27. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (2 November 2011). "BOBW Slamdown At The Spa". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  28. ^ "X Wrestling Alliance Title Histories". titlehistories.com. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
  29. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "FWA Tag Team Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  30. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "FWA World Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  31. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "FIP Florida Heritage Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  32. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "GSW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  33. ^ "International Professional Wrestling UK Title Histories". titlehistories.com. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
  34. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "IPW:UK Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  35. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "LDN Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  36. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "NWA FUW Flash Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  37. ^ "1PW To the Extreme - Day 1". The Internet Wrestling Database. 18 April 2009. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  38. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "1PW World Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  39. ^ "1-Pro Wrestling 2007 Results". 1pwonline.co.uk. Archived from the original on 9 October 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
  40. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "1PW Openweight Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  41. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "PPW Platinumweight Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  42. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "PW101 Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  43. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2009". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  44. ^ "Real Quality Wrestling Title Histories". titlehistories.com. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
  45. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "RQW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  46. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "RPW Undisputed British Tag Team Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  47. ^ https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=392828
  48. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (23 November 2014). "Wrestling League World Championship". Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  49. ^ "wXw Tag Team Title Histories". wxw-wrestling.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  50. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (26 July 2008). "wXw Tag Team Championship". Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  51. ^ "The new WXW Champions! Television Champion Big O, Tag Team Champions the Sons of the Atlantic, Hardcore Champion The Beast!". Facebook.
  52. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (2 May 2015). "WXW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  53. ^ "WWE NXT Tag Team Championship". WWE.com. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  54. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (21 October 2020). "NXT Tag Team Championship". Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
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