Adrian McCallum (17 December 1982 – 19 June 2019)[1] was a British professional wrestler, professional wrestling promoter and actor, better known by his ring name Lionheart.[2][3] He wrestled for numerous promotions in the British Independent wrestling circuit including Insane Championship Wrestling, in which he reigned as the ICW World Heavyweight Champion until his death, and Preston City Wrestling.[4] He was also the owner of Ayrshire-based wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling Elite.[3][5]
Lionheart | |
---|---|
Birth name | Adrian McCallum |
Born | Coventry, England | 17 December 1982
Died | 19 June 2019 Ayr, Scotland | (aged 36)
Professional wrestling career | |
Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
Billed weight | 15 st 5 lb (215 lb; 98 kg) |
Trained by | Colin McKay |
Debut | 2002 |
Professional wrestling career
editInsane Championship Wrestling
editOn 11 February 2007 Lionheart made his Insane Championship Wrestling debut, losing to James Wallace.[6] On 3 April 2016, Lionheart captured the Insane Championship Wrestling Zero-G Championship from Davey Boy in a 6-way match at ICW Barramania II. He then proceeded to lose the title to Kenny Williams in a 7 Man Stairway to Heaven Match with Aaron Echo, Andy Wild, Iestyn Rees, Liam Thomson and Zack Gibson on 20 November at Fear & Loathing IX.[7] On 2 December 2018 he won the ICW World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career, defeating former champion Jackie Polo in a Career vs. Title Match at Fear and Loathing XI. He wrestled his final match on June 16, 2019 at ICW: Fight Club, he defeated Alexander Dean to retain the ICW World Heavyweight Championship and to win the European Heavyweight Championship. Both titles were vacated after his death.[8][9]
Lionheart was posthumously inducted into the ICW Hall of Fame in 2023.[10]
Preston City Wrestling
editOn 23 September 2011, Lionheart made his Preston City Wrestling debut on their "Road to Glory" show, defeating Jack Gallagher.[11] In March 2014, at a Preston City Wrestling show, McCallum's neck was broken in two places after receiving the Styles Clash following a match against AJ Styles.[12] As a result of the injury doctors warned McCallum that he may never walk again.[12] Just over a year later, McCallum defied doctors' orders and returned to in-ring competition in March 2015.[4]
Other promotions
editIn 2008, McCallum competed for the ROH World Championship against then-champion Nigel McGuinness at a One Pro Wrestling show in a triple threat match also involving Keith Myatt.[13] In January 2011, McCallum competed for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), losing to Jeff Jarrett at a houseshow in Glasgow, Scotland.[14] Later that year he also competed for WWE, losing to Justin Gabriel in a dark match on SmackDown in Liverpool, England.[15]
Death
editOn 19 June 2019, McCallum's death was announced on Twitter by ICW. It was ruled he ended his own life.[16]
McCallum had last tweeted the previous evening, in which he quoted the TV series After Life: "One day you will eat your last meal, you will smell your last flower, you will hug your friend for the last time. You might not know it's the last time, that's why you must do everything you love with passion."[17]
Legacy and honours
editNumerous tributes would be paid to Lionheart after his death, including from Drew McIntyre and The Rock.[18] The final scheduled Pro Wrestling Elite event went ahead weeks after his death in tribute to him.[19][20] This event featured Grado, Jack Jester, BT Gunn, Leyton Buzzard and saw Andy Wild win the UEWA European Heavyweight Championship which Lionheart's death had left vacant.[21][22]
Insane Championship Wrestling hosted the Lionheart League tournament on the WWE Network between 28 November 2020 and 6 February 2021.[23] The finals saw Sha Samuels defeat Stevie Boy.[24][25][26]
Lionheart was inducted into the ICW Hall of Fame on 18 June 2023 by The Kinky Party (Jack Jester and Sha Samuels).[10]
Championships and accomplishments
edit- British Championship Wrestling
- Danish Pro Wrestling
- HOPE Wrestling
- Royal Rumble (2015)[37]
- Insane Championship Wrestling
- New Generation Wrestling
- NGW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Joe Hendry and Kid Fite[46][47]
- One Pro Wrestling
- Preston City Wrestling
- Pro Wrestling Elite
- Real Deal Wrestling
- RDW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[68]
- Scottish Wrestling Alliance
- Triple Team Promotions
- King of the Castle (2007)[78]
- European Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[79][80]
- WrestleZone
- WrestleZone No Limits Championship (1 time)[81]
- WrestleZone Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[82]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Jones, Rich (19 June 2019). "Adrian McCallum dead: British wrestler known as 'Lionheart' passes away aged 36". Mirror Online. Daily Mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
- ^ "List of dead wrestler " Wrestlers Database". cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ a b "List of died wrestler". www.wrestlinghustle.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019.
- ^ a b "Career "Lionheart" Wrestlers Database". cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Elite (PWE) " Promotions Database". cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ "Matches "Lionheart" Wrestlers Database".
- ^ "Matches "Lionheart" Wrestlers Database".
- ^ European Heavyweight Championship. Title Reigns Cage Match
- ^ Matches Cage Match
- ^ a b "Lionheart Is Officially Part Of The ICW Hall Of Fame!". Retrieved 14 December 2023 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Matches "Lionheart" Wrestlers Database".
- ^ a b "British wrestler Lionheart on AJ Styles rematch". mirror. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ "Matches "Lionheart" Wrestlers Database". cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ "Matches "Lionheart" Wrestlers Database". cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ "Matches "Lionheart" Wrestlers Database". cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ Davidson, Peter (20 June 2019). "Tragic Adrian 'Lionheart' McCallum attempted to save Ayr teen from fatal fire". dailyrecord. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ Satin, Ryan (19 June 2019). "UK Indie Wrestler Adrian 'Lionheart' McCallum Has Passed Away". Pro Wrestling Sheet. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
- ^ Sinclair, Andrew (24 June 2019). "Say My Name I'm History: Remembering Adrian 'Lionheart' McCallum". Voices of Wrestling. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "Wrestling stars vow to put on Ayr show for Adrian "Lionheart" McCallum". 2 July 2019.
- ^ "PRO WRESTLING ELITE ANNIVERSARY EVENT DEDICATED TO MEMORY OF ADAM 'LIONHEART' MCCALLUM | PWInsider.com". pwinsider.com.
- ^ "#AndNEW: Two New Champions Crowned at Pro Wrestling Elite Show". 22 July 2019.
- ^ "PWE Results: 8th Anniversary Show – Ayr, Scotland (7/20)". 21 July 2019.
- ^ Morrison, Adam (28 November 2020). "ICW Announce The Lionheart League Tournament". Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "ICW Lionheart League Final now available on WWE Network". WWE. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "Sha Samuels and Stevie Boy brawl in the streets: ICW Fight Club 158 (WWE Network Exclusive)". FOX Sports. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "Stevie Boy & Sha Samuels Clash In ICW's Lionheart League Final". itrwrestling.com. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "Titles "Lionheart" Wrestlers Database". cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (17 October 2008). "BCW Boiling Point - Event @ Ballerup Hall in East Kilbride, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (10 December 2010). "BCW No Blood, No Sympathy VIII - Event @ Grand Hall in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (17 October 2008). "BCW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (24 July 2009). "BCW Family By Lycra - Tag 1 - Event @ Ballerup Hall in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (8 December 2006). "BCW No Blood, No Sympathy 4 - Tag 1 - Event @ Kilmarnock Grand Hall in Kilmarnock, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (8 December 2006). "BCW Openweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (29 July 2007). "BCW Live The Dream - Tag 3 - Event @ Ballerup Hall in East Kilbride, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (3 September 2011). "DPW - Event @ Sønderjyllandshallen in Aabenraa, Dänemark". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (3 September 2011). "DPW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Royal Rumble Cage Match
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (2 December 2018). "ICW Fear & Loathing XI - Event @ The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (2 December 2018). "ICW World Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (14 August 2011). "ICW SummerBam - Event @ Apollo 23 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (3 April 2016). "ICW BarraMania II - Event @ Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (14 August 2011). "ICW Zero-G Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (23 October 2011). "ICW Fear & Loathing 4 - Event @ Apollo 23 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (20 November 2016). "ICW Fear & Loathing IX - Pay Per View @ The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ @InsaneChampWres (1 June 2023). "Lionheart will be inducted into the ICW Hall of Fame by The Kinky Party on Sunday 18 June at #ICWFightClub!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (28 May 2016). "NGW Ultimate Showdown 2016 - Event @ Hull City Hall in Hull, East Yorkshire, England, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (28 May 2016). "NGW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (28 May 2011). "1PW The Last Stand - Event @ Deeside Leisure Centre in Queensferry, Wales, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (28 May 2011). "1PW World Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (28 May 2011). "1PW World Heavyweight Title Tournament (2011)". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (6 December 2008). "PBW Britains Elite - Event @ Barrhead Sports Centre in Barrhead, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (6 December 2008). "PBW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (19 February 2011). "PBW Fully Charged 2011 - Event @ Greenock Town Hall in Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (23 April 2011). "PBW Breaking Limits 6 - Event @ Vikingar Leisure Centre in Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (23 April 2011). "PBW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (21 September 2012). "PBW - Event @ Alloa Town Hall in Alloa, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (17 August 2012). "PCW One But Not Forgotten - 1st Anniversary - Event @ Lava & Ignite in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (2 August 2013). "PCW Too Good To Be Two - 2nd Anniversary - Event @ Lava Ignite in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (18 May 2018). "PCW Better Than A Bollard - Pay Per View @ Evoque in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (17 August 2012). "PCW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (18 August 2018). "PCW Seventh Anniversary: Stairway To Seven - Event @ Evoque in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (8 April 2018). "PCW Who Dares Wins 2018 - Pay Per View @ Preston Guild Hall in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (8 April 2018). "PCW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (28 April 2018). "PCW Springslam 2018 - Event @ Blackpool Tower Circus in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Who Dares Wins Rumble Cage Match
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (7 March 2015). "PWE Elite Rumble II - Event @ Ayr Town Hall in Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (7 March 2015). "PWE Tag Team Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (12 February 2005). "RDW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (20 September 2008). "SWA The Gathering II: A Call To Arms - Event @ Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (30 May 2009). "SWA Battlezone 2009 - Event @ Bellahouston Leisure Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (5 April 2019). "SWA Motherwell Mania - Event @ Motherwell Concert & Theatre Hall in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (20 September 2008). "NWA Scottish Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (25 January 2009). "SWA After Hours - Event @ Sports Cafe in Glasgow, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (19 September 2009). "SWA The Gathering III - Event @ Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Money In The Bank Cage Match
- ^ "Scottish Wrestling Alliance 'Battlezone 2018' FULL Results". 26 November 2018.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (24 November 2018). "SWA Battlezone 2018 - Event @ Motherwell Concert Hall And Theatre in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (30 September 2007). "King of the Castle (2007)". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (16 June 2019). "ICW Fight Club #130 - TV-Show @ The Garage in Glasgow, Scotland, UK". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (16 June 2019). "European Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ WrestleZone No Limits Championship Cage Match
- ^ WrestleZone Heavyweight Championship Cage match
External links
edit- Lionheart's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database
- Lionheart at IMDb