Danny Burch

1. Overview

Martin Harris is an acclaimed British professional wrestler, widely recognized by his prominent ring names, Martin Stone and Danny Burch. Born in London, England on December 31, 1981, he has built a robust career spanning over two decades across various independent circuits and major promotions, including WWE and recently All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Harris is a decorated competitor, having held numerous championships, most notably as a one-time NXT Tag Team Champion with Oney Lorcan in WWE. His career is characterized by significant stints in the European independent scene, particularly with Frontier Wrestling Alliance (FWA) and International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom (IPW:UK), where he garnered multiple titles including the FWA World Heavyweight Championship and the IPW:UK Championship. Known for his hard-hitting style and impactful finishing maneuvers like the London Bridge, Harris's journey reflects a persistent dedication to professional wrestling, marked by his transitions between global stages and his continuous pursuit of excellence in the squared circle.

2. Early Life

Martin Harris was born in London, England, on December 31, 1981. He stands at 72 in ^{(184 cm)} and weighs 214 lb ^{(97 kg)}. His foundational training in professional wrestling began in 2003, attending both the FWA Academy and Dropkicks.

3. Professional Wrestling Career

Martin Harris's professional wrestling career began in 2003, evolving through various ring names and promotions across Europe and the United States, culminating in multiple stints with major companies like WWE and appearances with All Elite Wrestling.

3.1. European Independent Circuit (2003-2011)

Harris debuted in 2003 under the ring name Joe Riot at an All Star Wrestling show in Croydon. His first appearance for the FWA Academy was on November 29, 2003, at Revenge - Chapter IV in Portsmouth, where he lost to Leroy Kincaide. On September 4, 2004, he made his main roster debut for the FWA as Martin Stone in a losing effort to Jack Xavier at a Live in Morecambe show. Stone soon formed the tag team Stixx and Stone with fellow FWA:A trainee Stixx and their manager, "Twisted Genius" Dean Ayass. This team quickly captured the FWA Tag Team Championship from Hampton Court (Duke of Danger and Andrew Simmons) on June 18, 2005, at FWA NOAH Limits. Stone was later stripped of the title after 16 months due to commitments with IPW:UK, which happened during the height of FWA's "Civil War" with IPW:UK. Stone led IPW:UK in this conflict, which culminated in a match against Flash Barker (replacing an injured Alex Shane) in Orpington in 2007.

While active in FWA, Stone competed extensively across the United Kingdom in promotions such as International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom (IPW:UK), One Pro Wrestling (1PW), LDN Wrestling, and Real Quality Wrestling (RQW). He held several top titles, notably a 15-month reign as IPW:UK Champion. In April 2007, he represented RQW in the prestigious King of Europe Cup, where he was defeated by Go Shiozaki in the first round. He later won the RQW Heavyweight Championship at Not Just For Christmas, defeating Iceman, Aviv Maayan, and Pac in the final. In September 2007, Stone began wrestling regularly for the German promotion Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), where on July 26, 2008, he won the wXw Tag Team Championship with Doug Williams by defeating AbLas (Absolute Andy and Steve Douglas) at wXw Broken Rulz VIII in Oberhausen.

In February 2008, Stone competed in Chikara's King of Trios tournament in Philadelphia, United States. Teaming with The Kartel (Terry Frazier and Sha Samuels) as Team IPW:UK (also known as The Firm), they were eliminated in the second round by the Golden Trio (Delirious, Hallowicked, and Helios). On August 28, 2008, Stone won the Premier Promotions Worthing Trophy, defeating Eamon O'Neill and James Tighe. On February 13, 2010, at the British Uproar event in Broxbourne, Martin Stone became the first FWA World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Andy Simmonz in the tournament finals. After this victory, he turned heel, announcing his intention to use British wrestling as a stepping stone to a major contract in the US. A month later, he became the leader of "The Agenda," a faction of FWA wrestlers sharing similar ambitions. On March 14, 2010, at PW101 Unstoppable in Sheffield, Stone won the 101 Championship Rush match, becoming Pro Wrestling 101's first Heavyweight Champion.

3.4. Second WWE Stint (2015-2022)

Danny Burch's second significant run with WWE began with sporadic appearances and led to a formal re-signing, followed by a notable tag team partnership and a championship reign.

3.4.1. Sporadic Appearances and Re-signing

His sporadic appearances continued into 2017. On January 6, 2017, WWE announced Burch's participation in the 16-man WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament, where he was eliminated in the first round by Jordan Devlin. On the April 19 episode of NXT, Burch lost to Andrade "Cien" Almas. He later appeared in NXT as part of the UK division, losing to the WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne. On April 29, 2018, Danny Burch officially signed a full-time contract with WWE, rejoining the WWE Performance Center.

3.4.2. Teaming with Oney Lorcan

In August 2017, Burch began a feud with Oney Lorcan, exchanging victories. The intense competition between them soon transitioned into a formidable tag team partnership. They subsequently feuded with Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli. In early 2018, they participated in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic but were eliminated in the first round. At NXT TakeOver: Chicago II, Burch and Lorcan faced The Undisputed Era (Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong) in a losing effort.

On September 24, 2019, Burch made his 205 Live debut alongside Oney Lorcan, defeating WWE Cruiserweight Champion Drew Gulak and Tony Nese. On January 30, 2020, Burch returned to NXT UK with Lorcan to defeat The Hunt (Primate and Wild Boar). They then faced the NXT UK Tag Team Champions Gallus (Mark Coffey and Wolfgang) in a non-title match on February 13 but failed to win. On the May 20 episode of NXT, Lorcan and Burch defeated Ever-Rise and subsequently called out the NXT Tag Team Champions Imperium (Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner) by mocking their signature pose. The following week, they challenged for the NXT Tag Team Titles but were defeated by Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) in a #1 Contender's match.

3.4.3. NXT Tag Team Championship Reign

On the October 21, 2020, episode of NXT, after Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong of The Undisputed Era were incapacitated, Lorcan and Burch replaced them in an NXT Tag Team Championship match. With assistance from Pat McAfee, they defeated Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) to win the titles, turning heel in the process. Their reign as NXT Tag Team Champions ended prematurely on March 23, 2021, when William Regal vacated the titles after Burch suffered a legitimate shoulder injury.

Following his return, Burch and Lorcan challenged MSK for the titles on the September 7 episode of NXT but were unsuccessful. After the match, both Ridge Holland and Pete Dunne attacked Lorcan and Burch, effectively ending their alliance.

3.4.4. Departure from WWE

On November 4, 2021, Oney Lorcan was released from his WWE contract, leading to the dissolution of their tag team. Subsequently, on January 5, 2022, Danny Burch was also released from his WWE contract, concluding his second tenure with the company.

4. Wrestling Style and Signature Moves

Martin Harris is known for his hard-hitting and technical wrestling style, often incorporating elements of brawling. His signature moves reflect his aggressive approach and British wrestling roots.

His primary finishing maneuvers are:

• London Bridge (Rope-hung spike DDT): This move involves placing an opponent's feet on the top rope while they are draped over, then executing a DDT. When teaming with Oney Lorcan, they often performed a double-team version of this move.
• Tower of London (Inverted DDT from the top rope): With the opponent draped over his shoulders in a reverse facelock, Harris places their feet on the top rope before dropping them face-first into the mat in a variation of a Diamond Cutter.

Other notable techniques in his arsenal include:

• Crossface
• Powerbomb
• Suplex variations, including a Superplex (Avalanche Brainbuster) and a German Suplex
• Belly-to-back suplex
• Clothesline
• Headbutt
• Elbow strikes, including a European Uppercut
• Front Dropkick
• Big boot
• Jumping High Kick: Often delivered to an opponent standing in the corner, frequently setting up for a Missile Kick.
• Missile dropkick: Typically launched from the second rope, often followed by a headspring kip-up for a showman's flourish.

5. Championships and Accomplishments