Mark Andrews (born January 25, 1992) is a Welsh professional wrestler and musician. He is currently signed with WWE, performing on the NXT UK brand. Andrews is also the co-lead vocalist and bassist in a pop-punk band called Junior.
Andrews started training at the age of 13, upon discovery of the NWA Wales training school in Newport. It was for NWA Wales that Andrews made his wrestling debut, appearing in a battle royal in 2006. Shortly afterwards, Andrews began competing under a mask, using the name "The Lightning Kid".
Inspired by the likes of Rey Mysterio and Shawn Michaels, Andrews is a high-flyer of the finest caliber. Andrews is also a bit of a renaissance man, too, counting videography, video editing, graphic design and clothing design among his many skills. After studying GCSEs and A Levels at Cardiff High School, Andrews attended the University of Glamorgan. Andrews is the co-founder of "Defend Indy Wrestling", a clothing brand for independent wrestling fans.
Here's a closer look at his journey:
Mark Andrews, born on December 10, 1992, is a Welsh professional wrestler known for his agility, high-risk maneuvers, and charismatic personality.
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Andrews started his wrestling journey at a young age, training rigorously to perfect his craft. His dedication and hard work paid off as he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a prominent figure in British wrestling. His innovative style, combining technical wrestling with breathtaking aerial moves, set him apart from his peers.
His early career was marked by appearances in various independent promotions, where he showcased his talent and developed a strong following. These experiences were crucial in shaping him into the well-rounded performer he is today. Andrews' commitment to his training and his passion for wrestling are evident in every match, making him a compelling and exciting athlete to watch.
Mark Andrews - Time To Fly at PCW
After competing in the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament in 2017, as well as making appearances on WWE 205 Live, Andrews scored a major career victory when he captured the NXT UK Tag Team Championships with Flash Morgan Webster at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff.
In June 2021 vignettes started appearing on WWE social media and NXT UK programming featuring Andrews, his tag team partner Flash Morgan Webster, and Dani Luna. The vignettes would focus on each of the individuals unique looks and passions for their music genres.
Andrews plays in a pop-punk band Junior where he is the co-lead vocalist and bassist. They have released 2 EPs, a split EP with Fierce Morgan and released their debut album "Beautiful Life" in August 2019.
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Impact Wrestling
Mark Andrews's time in Impact Wrestling marked a significant chapter in his career, providing him with a platform to showcase his talents to a broader audience. While his stint in Impact Wrestling might not be as extensive as in other promotions, it was impactful. His high-flying style and innovative moves quickly made him a fan favorite.
One of the highlights of his Impact Wrestling career was his participation in the Impact World Cup, where he represented Team UK. This tournament allowed him to team up with other talented British wrestlers and compete against teams from around the world. Andrews's performance in the World Cup was a testament to his skills and his ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Beyond the World Cup, Andrews also had notable singles matches in Impact Wrestling, where he faced off against some of the promotion's top stars. These matches allowed him to showcase his technical prowess and his ability to tell a story in the ring. His charisma and connection with the audience made him a compelling figure, and his matches were always highly anticipated.
Andrews competed in a dark match against DJ Z in a losing effort on 7 September 2014 during an Impact Wrestling taping from Fayetteville, North Carolina. In October 2014 Andrews participated in TNA British Boot Camp.
Andrews made his Impact Wrestling television debut on 23 January 2015 episode during a brawl that involved Ethan Carter III and Jeremy Borash, where he jumped from the crowd to help Jeremy and Rockstar Spud push away Ethan and his bodyguard Tyrus. Andrews made his in-ring debut a week later under his Mandrews nickname, teaming up with Spud to defeat The BroMans (Robbie E & Jessie Godderz).
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In early 2016, Andrews was part of TNA's Maximum Impact tour of the UK. He was called out by Mike Bennett during 16 February Manchester show and took exception to Bennett's patronising praise, subsequently losing a match to him. During 2016, he participated at many X Division match, in a losing effort. at X-Travaganza 2016, Mandrews lost to Marshe Rockett. at Against All Odds, Mandrews lost to Andrew Everett.
On 6 October episode of Impact Wrestling, Mandrews took part in a new TNA concept called Team X Gold, teaming with Braxton Sutter and DJZ, with the team known as "Go for Broke." They would defeat The Helms Dynasty and Marshe Rockett. On 1 December episode of Impact Wrestling, Mandrews, DJZ and Braxton Sutter faced each other for the X Division Championship, where Mandrews was close to winning after hitting the shooting star press, when DJZ was able to get the pin on Mandrews to retain his championship.
Progress Wrestling
In 2012, Andrews debuted for Progress Wrestling at Chapter 2, defeating Wild Boar Mike Hitchman. Andrews returned at Chapter 3 where he was victorious over Xander Cooper, before then entering the inaugural National Progression Series tournament.
In 2013, Andrews won the Natural Progression Series, defeating Jonathan Windsor in the second round and Paul Robinson in the final, claiming the trophy and a guaranteed title shot. Andrews received a re-match for the Progress Championship at Chapter 13, which he ultimately lost after interference from Paul Robinson.
Over the course of the year, Andrews also teamed with friend Eddie Dennis, entering the Progress Tag Team Championship tournament held at Chapters 11 and 12. The pair, known as FSU, won the tournament and were crowned the promotion's first-ever tag team champions. This made Andrews Progress' first ever Triple Crown champion, having won the Natural Progression Series, the Progress Championship and the Progress Tag Team Championship.
In January 2015, at Andrews' last Progress show before beginning work for TNA in America, he and Eddie Dennis were scheduled to face each other for sole possession of the tag team titles. However, the pair were attacked by villainous stable the Faceless, causing an impromptu match to ensue for the tag team titles which the Faceless won.
Andrews returned to Progress in November 2015, saving Progress Champion Will Ospreay from a post-match beating by Paul Robinson. Andrews then requested a title shot, pointing out that when the two had previously faced each other in Progress, Ospreay hadn't won either of their lauded matches.
In May 2016, Andrews entered Progress's Super Strong Style 16 Tournament for the first time, losing in the first round to Chris Hero. However, as Mark Haskins had to drop out due to illness, Andrews won Haskins' spot in the tournament via a ten-man scramble match. He went on to beat Mikey Whiplash in the quarter-finals and Zack Gibson in the semi-finals, before losing to Tommy End in the tournament final.
During the PROGRESS vs. At Chapter 55, held at Alexandra Palace, Andrews won an 8-Man Scramble Match, again becoming the number contender for the Progress World Championship before being attacked by long-time tag team partner Eddie Dennis.
Mark Andrews arrived in PROGRESS at Chapter Two as part of the association with the BWC Scarlo Scholarship championship. After Xander Cooper had defended the belt at Chapter One against Zack Gibson and Darrell Allen, Andrews had captured the belt on another show. He defended it against fellow Welshman Wild Boar Mike Hitchman. These early preliminary matches represented where Andrews had been in other promotions, regarded as an accomplished junior wrestler capable of exciting and predictably good undercard performances.
Following this defence, Andrews was attacked by former BWC champion Xander Cooper, leading to a match at Chapter Three which Andrews won. With the BWC association overwith, the focus shifted to PROGRESSâ own Natural Progression Series. There can only ever be one first ever NPS match, and the two men who took part were Mark Andrews and Will Ospreay â outside Jimmy Havoc, arguably the two wrestlers that PROGRESS has developed most significantly. This was a match in the vein of Chapter Oneâs classic between Marty Scurll and Zack Sabre Jr, continuing to further PROGRESSâ reputation for blowaway matches. Not only that, but it ignited a connection between Andrews and Ospreay that would continue throughout the formerâs career.
Once again besting Ospreay at Chapter Seven, and temporarily costing Will his PROGRESS career, Andrews beat Lord Jonathan Windsor in the semi finals before advancing to the final against Paul Robinson. Though Robinson is now a villainous character in PROGRESS, prior to this he was, like Andrews, an ultimate underdog. The two wrestlers had previously never main evented a PROGRESS show, and weighing between them just a combined 290 pounds they defied all perceived wisdom about main event wrestlers. And yet that night the pair created magic.
Claiming the trophy and the title opportunity, Andrews also had the responsibility of placing a defeated competitor in next yearâs NPS. He chose Will Ospreay, restoring him to the PROGRESS roster. Rather than wait for his opportunity against then-PROGRESS champion Rampage Brown, Andrews was defiant. Weary from a gruelling match, Andrews looked to have made a foolish decision â until the temper of Rampage Brown allowed the young welshman to roll him up and take the title. The scene in that moment was unlike any other in PROGRESS history.
The crowd were overjoyed. This was their guy, someone who should never have been a main event champion. Yet despite those preconceptions, there was not a person in that room who doubted that he deserved and had earned it. Aside from a minor tag title run in another promotion, this was Andrewsâ first career championship.
Though he was cruelly robbed of the title just minutes later by Jimmy Havoc, Andrews has not gone the way of other short title holders in professional wrestling. He is not forgotten, nor is he the subject of derision. Instead he is the symbol of everything that PROGRESS stands for. Hard work, determination, opportunity, and overcoming expectations.
Not to be deterred Andrews picked himself up from the crushing title loss to set down another PROGRESS marker, becoming one half of the first PROGRESS tag team champions with real life best friend Eddie Dennis. The pair turned back Project Ego, Screw Indy Wrestling and the London Riots in a series of defences, including as part of a PROGRESS vs Regression, careers vs titles match at Chapter Fifteen. On that day Andrews teamed for the first time with Will Ospreay, helping Ospreay to one of his first PROGRESS victories and establishing him as a top contender â in many ways, anointing Ospreay as his successor. Both written off as simply flyers but capable of so much more, Ospreay carries with him the backing of Mark Andrews as he continues to chase Jimmy Havoc down.
Perhaps in some way to rebalance the hurt of his 20 minute PROGRESS championship reign, Andrews & Dennis would go on to hold the tag titles for 301 days.
It is undeniable that PROGRESS, arguably more than just about any other British wrestling brand, is capable of making stars. Jimmy Havoc is the one for whom the transformation was most dramatic and obvious, but I will always argue that Mark Andrews â just â was the first person in PROGRESS to be taken from what everyone had pigeon holed him as and made to be so much more. Starting with that Chapter Four match with Will Ospreay, Andrews was one of the most consistently impressive performers in PROGRESS. In the fan-voted top ten PROGRESS matches in October 2014, Andrews featured in four of them â more than any other performer, including Zack Sabre Jr.
The first Natural Progression Series champion. The first PROGRESS tag team champion.
WWE NXT UK
On 5 January 2017, Andrews was announced as part of the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament. Andrews defeated Dan Moloney in the first round, advancing to the quarter-finals. The second night of the tournament, Andrews defeated Joseph Conners, advancing to the semi-finals where he was defeated by Pete Dunne.
On the 22 February episode of NXT, Andrews lost his NXT debut to Dunne. On 7 November 2017, Andrews teamed with Cedric Alexander, defeating Joseph Conners and James Drake on 205 Live.
On the 6 February 2018 edition of 205 Live, Andrews announced his participation in the WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, where he defeated Akira Tozawa in the first round, but Andrews lost to Drew Gulak in the second round on 6 March 2018 which eliminated him from the WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament.
On the 27 March 2018 edition of 205 Live, Andrews defeated Tony Nese, confirming his rematch against Gulak for the 205 Live episode after WrestleMania weekend. Andrews would lose the rematch and was attacked after the match by Gulak until Tony Nese made the save.
On 17 October, on the first episode of NXT UK, Andrews was defeated by Joe Coffey and was attacked after the match by both Joe and Mark Coffey until Morgan Webster made the save. In a triple threat tag team match at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff, Andrews along with Flash Morgan Webster captured the NXT UK Tag Team Championship after defeating James Drake and Zack Gibson to win the titles and become the first Welsh champions in WWE history.
Other Promotions
In 2010, Andrews started to appear regularly for Coventry-based Triple X Wrestling. He appeared as part of a stable called "The NexXxus", a parody of the "Nexus" faction in the WWE. Under the name "Mandrews Tarver", Andrews joined fellow 'rookies' Wade Helix (Helix), Hitch Sheffield (Wild Boar), Phil Otunga (Phil Ward) and Gav Gabriel (Morgan Webster) as the group ambushed and attacked various members of the roster.
In Attack! Pro Wrestling, Andrews continued heavy involvement in the creative direction of the organisation. May saw Andrews reprise his role as Pikachu, as Attack! presented the second instalment of their popular video game themed shows, "Press Start Level 2". Taking on Arthur Klauser-Saxon (Tyler Bate), who was styled as Machoke, Andrews picked up the win to gain the hold of the 24:7 Championship for a second time. As with his first reign, he did not hold the title for long â with T-Bone winning the title almost immediately, styled as Bowser. At the following show, "The Weird And Wonderful World of Attack! Pro Wrestling", Andrews again regained the title, defeating current holders Sam Bailey and Zack Gibson in a soccer-themed tag team match, alongside Pete Dunne.
Andrews also made another short trip to the US independents in 2014, which included a dark match appearance at DREAMWAVE's "Good As Gold" event in LaSalle, Illinois. In addition to the USA trip, Andrews also made his debut for Germany's award-winning Westside Xtreme Wrestling. Appearing on the Mülheim leg of the "wXw Drive of Champions Tour", Andrews teamed with Pete Dunne and Chris Brookes, losing out to Big Daddy Walter, Axel Dieter Jr.
Andrews' most successful year to-date earned him three nominations at the Fighting Spirit Magazine Reader Awards 2014, where he was shortlisted for "Best UK Wrestler" and "Best UK Tag Team" (with Eddie Dennis), alongside his "UK Match of the Year" nomination for his PCW encounter against Kris Travis. Meanwhile, the online message board UKFF voted Andrews the 3rd best wrestler in the UK, with a series of complimentary comments, including: "Mark's the poster boy of the resurgence British wrestling is seeing at the moment.
After signing a contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, it was confirmed that Andrews would be moving stateside. Andrews' "home" promotion, Attack! Pro Wrestling, hosted a farewell show on 24 January 2015. Titled "Mandrews Goes To America", the show was held at Cathays Community Centre in Cardiff, a small venue just minutes from where Andrews grew up. In early 2016, Andrews and Nixon Newell formed the tag team Bayside High and on 27 March 2016 defeated #CCK (Chris Brookes and Kid Lykos) for the Attack!
In August 2011, Andrews travelled to Pennsylvania, to make his debut for Chikara. Granted a place in the Young Lions Cup IX, Andrews' first round match was a four-way eliminator, taking on Tadasuke, Nick Jackson and Sean South. In 2014, he appeared in Chikara's yearly King of Trios tournament as Team UK with Pete Dunne and Damian Dunne. The team defeated The Bloc Party in the first round, advancing to the quarter-finals, where they were then felled by The Devastation Corporation.
Andrews was part of Chikara's first ever tour of the UK, gaining a victory over Silver Ant at the show of 31 April 2015 in Cardiff, Wales. For the second year running, he took part in Chikara's King of Trios tournament, teaming with 'Flash' Morgan Webster and Pete Dunne as Team Attack. They lost their first round match against the League of Nations.
Accomplishments
Mark Andrews has achieved a lot during his wrestling career. From winning championships to competing in high-profile tournaments, his accomplishments speak volumes about his talent and dedication.
- Progress Wrestling: Mark Andrews is a former Progress Tag Team Champion, showcasing his ability to work effectively in a tag team environment.
- WWE NXT UK: As part of NXT UK, Andrews further solidified his reputation as a top-tier wrestler.
- International Recognition: Andrews has competed in various international promotions, earning acclaim for his performances and expanding his fanbase worldwide.
Andrews's success is not just about the titles he has won but also about the impact he has had on the wrestling world. He is known for his innovative moves and his ability to connect with the audience, making him a beloved figure among wrestling fans.
Andrews's wrestling style is a unique blend of high-flying acrobatics, technical wrestling, and strong storytelling. He's known for his innovative moves and his ability to execute them with precision and flair. His matches are always exciting and unpredictable, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
His persona is equally captivating. Andrews is a charismatic performer who knows how to connect with the audience. He is able to generate both sympathy and excitement, drawing fans into his matches and making them emotionally invested in his success.
Andrews's dedication to his craft is evident in every aspect of his performance. He is constantly working to improve his skills and develop new moves, ensuring that he always stays ahead of the curve. His passion for wrestling is infectious, inspiring aspiring wrestlers and entertaining fans around the world.