Wikipedia

Leyton Buzzard

For the town in Bedfordshire, see Leighton Buzzard.

Arthur Byrne[1] (born 14 September 1997),[2][3] better known by his ring name Leyton Buzzard, is an English professional wrestler.[4] He is best known for his work in Insane Championship Wrestling[5][6] where he is a former ICW World Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time Zero-G Champion.[7][8] He currently working for Big Japan Pro-Wrestling.[9][10] He was previously a child actor on stage and screen, and was one of the twelve potential Olivers on the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything, making the final eight.[11]

Leyton Buzzard
Birth nameArthur Byrne
Born (1997-09-14) 14 September 1997 (age 27)
Bristol, England
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Leyton Buzzard
Stevie Buzzard
Trained byGlasgow Pro Wrestling Asylum
Debut2016

Acting career

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Byrne first became involved in acting at the age of eight, and was encouraged by his parents who had seen their son sing along to Disney classics. A year later, his first role was when a production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang came to Bristol, and he played the role of Jeremy Potts. Following this, he would be continuously working stage shows until 2008, when he appeared on the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything as a potential Oliver. On the show, he had a lead vocal on week three, singing "Teamwork", a song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He made the final eight, and was eliminated in week nine, alongside four other boys. Byrne did in fact end up playing Oliver after his time on the show, at the Playhouse Theatre in July 2008.[1][12][13] He later attended acting classes at the Sylvia Young Theatre School.[14]

Byrne also had minor roles on film and television before his professional wrestling career, including playing the younger version of Martin McCreadie's character on The Five.[15][16]

Professional wrestling career

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At the age of eighteen, Byrne travelled up to Glasgow to train at the Glasgow Pro Wrestling Asylum.[1][4] He made his in-ring debut as Wee Arthur at GPWA's Proving Ground event on 16 October 2016.[17][8][18]

Independent Circuit (2017–present)

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Leyton Buzzard has been active on the UK and international independent circuits. He has worked in multiple countries companies like Revolution Pro Wrestling, Over the Top Wrestling, British Championship Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Elite, Westside Xtreme Wrestling, Fife Pro Wrestling Asylum, Black Label Pro, C*4 Wrestling, Iron Girders Pro Wrestling, WrestleFest DXB, Pro Wrestling Chaos, Israeli Pro Wrestling Association And Many more.[19][20]

In 2019, he won the SWA X Championship[21][22] and the PBW King of Cruisers[23] then the PCW Cruiserweight Championship in 2020.[24][25] In 2023, he held the FPPW Irish Junior Heavyweight Championship.[26][8][27]

Insane Championship Wrestling (2017–2023)

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In 2017, Leyton Buzzard began competing in squash matches for Insane Championship Wrestling[28] (ICW) before making his debut-proper as the assistant ("Prestigious Intern") to Joe Hendry.[8] He was unwaveringly loyal to Hendry, who later added Kez Evans and Ravie Davie to his stable, the Dallas Mavericks. Eventually, Hendry got annoyed with Buzzard losing all the time, and began denigrating him more and more until Buzzard turned face. The feud between the two men culminated at Shug's Hoose 6, with the stipulation being a career versus freedom of speech match (if Buzzard won, Hendry would leave ICW, and if Hendry won, Buzzard would be forced to wear a mask and be silent until Fear & Loathing XII). On night one of the event, Buzzard defeated Hendry, by hitting a uranage and a 450 splash on him to win the match.[29] On night two, Buzzard was announced as James Storm's opponent, after Storm attacked Grado before the bell rang. Towards the end, Grado interfered by performing a rolling cannonball to Storm in the corner, allowing Buzzard to hit a 450 splash, and win the match.[30]

Following this, Buzzard would be in the involved in the title chase for the Zero-G Championship, ICW's junior heavyweight championship. On 12 October 2019, at Gonzo, Buzzard was defeated by reigning champion Liam Thomson in the main event.[31] On 15 December, at Fight Club, Buzzard became the number one contender, by defeating longtime rival Kieran Kelly. Although the match would be set for Square Go! on 2 February 2020, Thomson, who was already booked for an open challenge title match, decided to defend the title against Buzzard the same night. Buzzard defeated Thomson to win his first title in ICW.[32] On 19 January 2020, at Fight Club, Buzzard defeated TK Cooper in his first defence of the title.[33] On 1 February, at Gonzo 3, Buzzard defeated Kenny Williams.[34] The next day, at Square Go!, Buzzard dropped the title back to Thomson, ending his reign at 49 days.[35][36] At ICW Fear and Loathing 2022, Buzzard won the ICW World Heavyweight Championship defeating Craig Anthony, Stevie James and champion Kez Evans in a Four-Way Elimination match.[37][8][38]

As ICW World Heavyweight Champion, Buzzard declared he would be a "travelling World Champion" in the same way that Drew Galloway had for ICW in 2015.[39] During his six month reign he defended the championship in Scotland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Ireland, Canada and England.[8] In ICW, he would defend the title against LJ Cleary, Big Damo and reigning Union of European Alliances European Heavyweight Champion Andy Roberts before losing to Aaron Echo in a Square Go! cash-in at ICW's Get the F Out! event.[40] Buzzard then announced a hiatus from ICW.[8]

Big Japan Pro-Wrestling (2023-present)

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Buzzard debuted for Big Japan Pro-Wrestling in August 2023.[41][42][43]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2013 Tits Doyle Short film
2014 The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box Street Boy

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2008 I'd Do Anything Himself 13 episodes
2009 Grandpa in My Pocket Josh Episode: "Trouble for Bubbles"
2016 The Five Young Karl 2 episodes; uncredited for "Episode 1"

Video games

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Year(s) Title Role Notes
2014 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 — Motion capture

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Crae, Ross (1 November 2019). "ICW star Leyton Buzzard on swapping the musical theatre stage for the wrestling ring". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  2. ^ Buzzard, Leyton [@LeytonBuzzard] (10 September 2019). "Good to see @Carmel_Jacob not taking any shite from the Dallas Rent Boys. This Saturday ON MY BIRTHDAY, me and @gradowrestling aren't coming to mess around, after what they pulled at the last show it's all business. And if you hadn't heard, LEYDOMANIAS RUNNIN WILD BABY! #ICW https://t.co/n6YFNe8cdZ" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "ICW Fight Club". cagematch.net. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b "SWN Meets… Leyton Buzzard". 18 April 2019.
  5. ^ a b Tarrier, Lee (19 November 2022). "Exclusive: Leyton Buzzard Opens Up About ICW's Future, Praises the Roster, Fear and Loathing XIV, and More - PWMania - Wrestling News".
  6. ^ Cassidy, Gary (19 September 2019). "Introducing... The Future of ICW, The Prodigy Leyton Buzzard". www.sportskeeda.com.
  7. ^ "Child actor-turned wrestler makes hometown debut" – via www.bbc.com.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Distant Shores: The ICW World Heavyweight Championship Reign of "El Capitan" Leyton Buzzard". 10 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Big Japan Matches". CageMatch. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Fifth match confirmed for Iron Girders Pro Wrestling (@IronGirdersGym) 'IGPW12' (29 Jul 2023)". The Scottish Wrestling Network. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  11. ^ "ICW star Leyton Buzzard on swapping the musical theatre stage for the wrestling ring". November 2019.
  12. ^ Livingstone, Elaine (30 October 2019). "Glasgow Lives: Arthur, 22, City Centre, wrestler". Glasgow Live. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Playhouse date for TV's Oliver". Weston, Worle & Somerset Mercury. 17 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  14. ^ Martland, Lisa (14 November 2015). "The Stage/The Big Act Scholarship winners". The Stage. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  15. ^ "Arthur Byrne | TVmaze".
  16. ^ ""The Five" Episode #1.10 (TV Episode 2016) - IMDb". IMDb.
  17. ^ "GPWA Proving Ground". CageMatch. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Episode 13 | Rudo Lightning v Leyton Buzzard". YouTube. 4 February 2020.
  19. ^ Morrison, Adam (16 May 2018). "Wrestler Spotlight: Leyton Buzzard".
  20. ^ "Leyton Buzzard Career". CageMatch. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  21. ^ Daly, Wayne (21 July 2019). "PWE Results: 8th Anniversary Show – Ayr, Scotland (7/20)". www.wrestling-news.net.
  22. ^ "Full Results: Scottish Wrestling Alliance 'Lion's Den' 2019". 24 November 2019.
  23. ^ Morrison, Adam (27 October 2019). "#AndNEW: Lucky 13 - Leyton Buzzard Wins 2019 PBW King Of Cruisers".
  24. ^ "PCW Results: 10 Years Strong – Preston, England (9/10)". www.wrestling-news.net. 12 September 2021.
  25. ^ "ISRAEL'S IPWA TO PRESENT WRESTLEMITZVAH THIS JUNE WITH SESSION MOTH MARTINA, CARA NOIR, EMERSYN JAYNE & MORE | PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com.
  26. ^ "Fight Factory Pro Wrestling: Episode 25 [Full Free Show]". March 2023 – via www.youtube.com.
  27. ^ "Irish Junior Heavyweight Title". www.wrestling-titles.com.
  28. ^ "Episode XIII | Rudo Lightning v Leyton Buzzard".
  29. ^ Oliver, Ian (28 July 2019). "ICW Shug's Hoose Party 6 night one results: Kushida vs. Jackie Polo". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  30. ^ Oliver, Ian (29 July 2019). "ICW Shug's Hoose Party 6 night two results: Toni Storm vs. Viper". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  31. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "ICW Gonzo". cagematch.net. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  32. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "ICW Fight Club". cagematch.net. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  33. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "ICW Fight Club". cagematch.net. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  34. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "ICW Gonzo 3". cagematch.net. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  35. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "ICW 9th Annual Square Go!". cagematch.net. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  36. ^ "ICW 9th Annual Square Go Results (2/2): Noam Dar Wins ICW World Heavyweight Title | Fightful News".
  37. ^ "ICW World Heavyweight Title (Great Britain)".
  38. ^ "ICW Fear and Loathing XIV Quick Results Feat. ICW World Title Four Way, She-Wolves Fight for Women's Title and Jester vs Gunn | WWE Network News". 18 December 2022.
  39. ^ "New Phenom: The ICW World Heavyweight Championship Reign of Drew Galloway". November 2022.
  40. ^ https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=726&page=5&reign=26 [bare URL]
  41. ^ "European Pro Wrestlers in Japan (Ender Kara and Leyton Buzzards exclusive Training and Interview)". 22 September 2023 – via www.youtube.com.
  42. ^ Carlan, Lewis (27 August 2023). "Full Results For Latest Big Japan Wrestling Event In Tokyo (8/26/2023)".
  43. ^ "BJW Results: Live In Tokyo – Tokyo, Japan (9/17)". www.wrestling-news.net. 18 September 2023.
  44. ^ Ecstasy of Gold Wrestling Blog [@EoGWrestling] (7 February 2023). "Great tradition of @InsaneChampWres belt collectors. New @FFPWIreland Junior Heavyweight Champion @LeytonBuzzard joins a list with @DMcIntyreWWE @TheOdDiTy_33 @AndyTheWildman & @PiperNivenWWE who earned titles all over for EVOLVE/Stardom/DGUSA/@OfficialUEWA & beyond 🇯🇵🇺🇸🇦🇺🇮🇪🇪🇺 https://t.co/FZ7RBuYIAk https://t.co/ISLVwe1u0S" (Tweet). Retrieved 10 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ "Irish Junior Heavyweight Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  46. ^ a b Morrison, Adam (16 December 2019). "#AndNEW: Leyton Buzzard Wins ICW Zero-G Championship". lastwordonprowrestling.com.
  47. ^ "ICW Zero-G Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  48. ^ a b "Wrestler Spotlight: Leyton Buzzard". 16 May 2018.
  49. ^ "ICW Get Him to the Union Review – 12/10/18". 20 October 2018.
  50. ^ https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=337077 [bare URL]
  51. ^ "SWN Year End Awards 2020 – Full Results". 7 January 2021.
  52. ^ "SWN Year End Awards Results". 14 March 2017.
  53. ^ "Swn100 – 2022". 25 December 2022.
  54. ^ Morrison, Adam (27 October 2019). "#AndNEW: Lucky 13 – Leyton Buzzard Wins 2019 PBW King Of Cruisers". lastwordonprowrestling.com.
  55. ^ "PBW King of Cruisers Title History - Premier British Wrestling". www.pbwwrestling.com.
  56. ^ "PCW Cruiserweight Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  57. ^ "Full List For 2023 PWI 500 Revealed". itrwrestling.com. 14 September 2023.
  58. ^ "Complete 2023 PWI 500 List Revealed, Top NJPW Star Absent – TJR Wrestling". tjrwrestling.net. 14 September 2023.
  59. ^ "SWA X Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
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