Paul Burchill

Infobox Wrestler
name=Paul Burchill


img_capt =
names=Paul Birchill
"The Ripper"Paul Burchall
Burchillcite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/p/paul-burchill.html|title=Paul Burchill Profile|accessdate=2008-04-27|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling]
Paul Burchill
height=height|ft=6|in=4cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/paulburchill/bio/|title=Paul Burchill Bio|accessdate=2008-03-19|publisher=WWE]
weight=convert|247|lb|kg|lk=on|abbr=on
birth_date=birth date and age|1979|10|8
death_date=
birth_place=Guildford, Surreycite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/burchill.html|title=Paul Burchill|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=SLAM! Sports]
resides=
billed=Chelsea, England
London, England
Guildford, Surrey
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
trainer=FWA Training Academy
Mark Sloan
debut=August 2002
retired=|

Paul Burchill (born Paul Kenneth Birchall on October 8 1979) is an English professional wrestler, currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on its Raw brand. He was a former primary school teacher from Surrey, England, and played in the Rugby Football League as a center where he earned the nickname "Ripper", but got into pro wrestling in 2001 after walking into an FWA Weekend Training camp and quickly impressing the man running the camp, Mark Sloan.

Wrestling career

British promotions

After finishing his training at the Training Academy, under Sloan's guidance, Burchill made his debut in August 2002. He made a huge impact in the Frontier Wrestling Alliance, interfering in many matches and leaving a trail of broken bodies along the way.

During much of his wrestling career in the United Kingdom, Burchill had a "Goldberg"-esque gimmick, whereby he would destroy his opponents (whom were usually cruiserweights), and, at one point, held a winning streak.

In May 2003, Burchill's exploits earned him the notice of top British manager, "Twisted Genius" Dean Ayass, who took Burchill on as a client. Over the rest of that year, Burchill competed in several handicap matches, defeating FWA-based tag teams by knockout. During his time under the management of Dean Ayass, Ayass would proclaim to opponents that "you are entering this ring at your own risk. Mr Birchall and Mr Ayass accept no responsibility for any broken bones!". This catchphrase would even scroll across the bottom of the screen during FWA vignettes. At the end of 2003, Burchill was named Total Wrestling and 1 Stop Wrestling's "Rookie of the Year".

Burchill would continue to wrestle in various other promotions around Europe; these promotions included the Frontier Wrestling Alliance, The Wrestling Alliance, All Star Premier Promotions, GBH, HCW, High Impact Promotions, WXW Germany, International Wrestling Promotions, British Championship Wrestling, Italian Championship Wrestling, and Wrestle Zone Wrestling.

On August 1, 2004, Burchill defeated Doug Williams and The Zebra Kid (Roy Bevis) in a No Holds Barred Three-Way to become the Champion. He would hold the title until November 6, when he lost a Falls Count Anywhere match to D-Lo Brown. Five days later, on November 11, 2004 Burchill signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment, and left England to train at its developmental federation Ohio Valley Wrestling.

During one of Burchill's last appearances in the FWA at its British Uprising III event, (which saw him team with Terry Funk and Paul Travell to defeat Drew McDonald, Raj Ghosh, and Thunder), Burchill received a standing ovation and a "Please Don't Go" chant from the 1800 fans in attendance.

World Wrestling Entertainment

mackDown!

Burchill feuded with Aaron Stevens for the OVW Television Championship until he was promoted to "SmackDown!". Even after receiving a call-up, he still made regular appearances in Ohio Valley Wrestling.

Burchill made his WWE debut on the August 27 2005 episode of "WWE Velocity", when he made a run-in in a match between fellow Englishman William Regal and Scotty 2 Hotty.cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050825.html|title=WWE SmackDown! Results - August 25, 2005 - Velocity Tapings|date=2005-08-25|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] Burchill quickly established an alliance with his countryman, helping Regal to beat down Scotty 2 Hotty.

His "SmackDown!" debut occurred on September 1, 2005 in a tag team match where he teamed up with William Regal to defeat Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki, after Burchill forced Scotty to tap out with the "Royal Mutilation". [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/09012005/|title=Another Assist From Dad|date=September 1, 2005|accessdate=2007-12-31|publisher=WWE] The next week on "SmackDown!", Burchill defeated Scotty 2 Hotty in a singles match with the same armbar submission. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/09092005/|title=Changing Friday nights|date=2005-09-09|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] Regal and Burchill were part of a Fatal Four-way match facing The Mexicools, MNM, and Road Warrior Animal and Heidenreich, with the winner acquiring the WWE Tag Team Championship.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/10282005/|title=LIGHTS OUT|date=2005-10-28|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] Regal and Burchill came up short, when MNM won the titles from Heidenreich and Animal. Regal and Burchill continued tagging together, mainly feuding with The Mexicools on "Velocity". Regal often acted as a manager for Burchill during his singles matches.

On the December 31 edition of "Velocity", Burchill debuted his "C-4" move in WWE, which aided him in a victory against the jobber, John Xavier. He then disappeared from WWE television to go back to OVW for a while to receive more training and compete.

On the February 3, 2006 edition of "SmackDown!", Burchill and Regal told "SmackDown!" "network representative" Palmer Canon that they no longer wanted to be a tag team so they could go their separate ways.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02032006/|title=Who's going to WrestleMania?|date=2006-02-03|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] During this discussion, Burchill informed Canon that his family heritage traces back to the pirate Blackbeard and he wanted to do a pirate gimmick on "SmackDown!". He followed through on this promise the following week when he appeared backstage dressed as a pirate, with a look similar to that of Captain Jack Sparrow of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02102006/|title=Deadman's Return|date=2006-02-10|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] Burchill, with his babyface persona, started a rivalry with former teammate Regal, who weekly tried to convince Burchill to return to his ruthless ways. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02242006/|title=Back in business|date=2006-02-24|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] Burchill had his first match as a pirate on the March 10, 2006 edition of "SmackDown!".cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03102006/|title=The Deadman responds|date=2006-03-10|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] During his entrance, Burchill stood on a platform located at the end of the entrance way and then swung down to the floor on a rope. Burchill defeated Regal using his C-4 move.

Burchill once again defeated Regal on the April 7, 2006 episode of "SmackDown!".cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04072006/|title=Breaking New Ground|date=2006-04-07|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] The match had a stipulation that Regal would have to dress like a "buxom wench" if he lost the match, which he did. Regal had no choice but to dress like whatever Burchill felt like having him wear until Burchill lost a match. On the April 21, 2006 episode of "SmackDown!", Burchill made Regal dress up in various costumes such as a chicken suit and a gorilla suit.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04212006/|title=Something to Celebrate|date=2006-04-21|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] Eventually, he made Regal dress up like a buccaneer for their tag team match later in the night against Gymini. Burchill ended up abandoning Regal during the match, which led to Gymini picking up the victory.

In mid-2006, Burchill required knee surgery and, to allow him time away from the ring to get it performed, was kayfabe injured by Mark Henry. This time away from the ring was also used to develop a new gimmick to replace his pirate character on his return. This was because Vince McMahon, who reportedly was not aware of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films and Johnny Depp's pirate character, believed the character should have thought he was a real pirate, acting more like the Carl Ouellet pirate character from the 1990s, and felt it could not work as a crowd favorite, despite the positive crowd reactions Burchill received.

Ohio Valley Wrestling

After recovering from the surgery, Burchill returned to the OVW development territory under a heel gimmick more reminiscent of his original WWE appearances. First he was billed as "The Most Dangerous Man in OVW" and later he called himself "The Ripper" Paul Burchill (reminiscent of Jack the Ripper). Burchill became the first British OVW Champion after defeating Chet The Jet for the title on December 15, 2006. On February 17, he lost the title to Cody Runnels at a house show. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - February 17, 2007|date=2007-02-17|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] He won the title back the next night at another house show. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - February 18, 2007|date=2007-02-18|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] On March 14, 2007, Burchill lost his OVW Championship to Aaron "The Idol" Stevens. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - March 14, 2007|date=2007-03-14|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] On May 9, 2007, Burchill defeated Stevens to once again become the OVW Heavyweight Champion. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - May 9, 2007|date=2007-05-09|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] Two weeks later on May 23, Burchill was given a 3 count at the same time as Stevens to force a rematch for the then vacant title (the OVW website still recognized Burchill as their champion) on June 1. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - May 23, 2007|date=2007-05-23|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] Jay Bradley got involved and it was made a 3-Way Dance for the title. On June 1, Bradley defeated Burchill and Stevens to become new OVW Heavyweight Champion. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - June 1, 2007|date=2007-06-01|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] Burchill, however, regained the title from Bradley after the Ripper breaker on the TV tapings at June 27 (the show aired June 30). Burchill lost the OVW Heavyweight Championship to Vladimir Kozlov on the 28 July at Six Flags. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - July 28, 2007 (Night)|date=2007-07-28|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] Burchill was set to face Mark Henry, who had injured him previously, at Six Flags on August 10.cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - August 10, 2007|date=2007-08-10|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] Burchill ended up beating Henry.

Raw

Burchill competed in a dark match before the July 13, 2007 "SmackDown" taping, teaming with fellow Englishman Dave Taylor in a losing effort against the tag team of Funaki and Shannon Moore. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/070713.html|title=WWE SmackDown! Results - July 13, 2007|date-2007-07-13|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] He later dressed up as the pirate for Edge's Mardi Gras Party. [cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingtalk.net/?p=1902|title=Paul Burchill Returning|accessdate=2008-02-24|publisher=Wrestlingtalk.net] Burchill competed in a dark match before the August 21, 2007 taping of "SmackDown!", once again teaming with Taylor in a loss to Jesse and Festus. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/070824.html|title=WWE SmackDown! Results - August 24, 2007|date=2007-08-24|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] Burchill wrestled Kofi Kingston in a dark match and lost before the "Extreme Championship Wrestling"/"SmackDown" tapings. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/080118.html|title=WWE SmackDown! Results - January 18, 2008|date=2008-01-18|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling]

After appearing on "WWE Heat" on several occasions, Burchill made his return to television as a heel again with his on-screen sister Katie Lea on the February 11, 2008 episode of Raw, defeating Brian Kendrick. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/080128.html|title=WWE Raw Results - January 28, 2008 - Internet Heat Tapings|date=2008-01-28|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02112008/|title=Brotherly Love|date=2008-02-11|last=Adkins|first=Greg|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] Continuing to appear on "Heat", Burchill and Katie would occasionally appear on "Raw" in handicap matches. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04282008/|title=Union Jack and Jane|date=2008-04-28|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05052008/|title=For love of country|date=2008-05-05|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] On May 26, Burchill assaulted Mr. Kennedy because he forced William Regal to leave Raw. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05262008/|title=Hailing the king|date=2008-05-26|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] The two would enter a brief feud until Kennedy was drafted back over to SmackDown. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06092008/|title=Burchill Beatings|date=2008-06-09|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE] [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06162008/|title=Burchill Beatdown|date=2008-06-16|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE]

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves :*"C–4" / "Walking The Plank" (Standing moonsault side slam) – 2005–2006 / Independent circuit:*"Curb Stomp" (Standing Indian deathlock surfboard followed into a head stomp or a lifting head stomp) - Current:*Grounded pumphandle lift dropped into a sidewalk slam – 2005:*Rolling cutter – 2007:*"Royal Mutilation" (High–angle Fujiwara armbar) – 2005:*"Twisted Sister" (Jumping neckbreaker) - Current:*Backbreaker :*Back to back double underhook piledriver – Independent circuit:*Corkscrew senton – Independent circuit:*Moonsault, sometimes while standing:*No–handed suicide senton dive – Independent circuit:*Northern Lights suplex followed by an over the shoulder belly to back piledriver:*Overhead belly to belly suplex:*Rolling fireman's carry slam:*Shoulderbreaker:*Standing shooting star press:*Suplex powerslam

*Nicknames
**The Ripper

*Managers:*"Twisted Genius" Dean Ayass:*Shelly Martinez:*William Regal:*Kristal Marshall:*Holly and Molly:*Katie Lea Burchill

*Entrance themes:*"Imperial March" (Heavy metal version) – OVW:*"Generator A" by Sonoton Production

Championships and accomplishments

*International Wrestling Promotions:*IWP Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*Ohio Valley Wrestling:*OVW Heavyweight Championship (4 times)cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ovhtnwa.html|title=OHIO Valley Wrestling Heavyweight Title History|last=Westcott|first=Brian|coauthors=Dupree, Jim|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Solie's Title Histories] :*OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Stu Sanderscite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ovttnwa.html|title=NWA Ohio Valley Wrestling Tag Team Title History|last=Westcott|first=Brian|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Solie's Title Histories]

References

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/paulburchill WWE Profile]
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/p/paul-burchill.html Online World Of Wrestling Profile]
* [http://burchillonline.invisionplus.net Paul Burchill Online Forum]