Episode 56: Rockstar Spud

The Morecambe Wrestling Podcast

Friday, 18 September 2026 - 1 hour 56 minutes

When you think of Morecambe Wrestling, one of the first names you'll think of is Rockstar Spud. A mainstay of the FWA and XWA era for 10 years, Spud was key in the rise of Morecambe as a place to be in UK wrestling, as he transitioned from fiery Pocket Dynamo babyface to pioneering heel double champion as the charismatic head of Team Rockstar. During that memorable era, the only man to hold both the XWA Heavyweight and Flyweight Titles at the same time entertained Dome, Carleton and Hexagon crowds in bouts still talked about to this day - making enduring memories with the likes of RJ Singh, El Ligero, Sam Slam, Stevie Knight, Johnny Phere, Stixx, Nathan Cruz, Kris Travis and more. Then Spud went on to defy the odds and inspire a generation, as he won the inaugural British Boot Camp reality TV series, heading to the bright lights of America and a stellar career as Madam Dixie's Chief of Staff and The Ultimate Underdog in TNA. What's more, the battling boy from Birmingham then reached the pinnacle, working for the world's largest wrestling organisation as a TV regular with WWE under the name Drake Maverick, leading to runs as the GM of 205 Live, manager of The Authors of Pain, a memorable eight-reign obsession with the 24/7 Championship and, after being released during the Covid pandemic, an emotional comeback on NXT. The real-life James Curtin has done so much to put the British scene and indeed Morecambe Wrestling on the map. Now the man behind the Rockstar reunites with Greg Lambert to reminisce on his formative years, discuss his biggest career highlights and look ahead to his 2026 comeback to the ring - and the UK independent scene where he made his name. It's a trip down memory lane with one of the greats, not to be missed!

Recorded on September 9 2026

Topics include:
Ups and downs
"A living hell is a bit strong."
Top talker in Scunthorpe
A lot of ADHD
Early GPW
Cameron Knite
TAP in Loughborough
Working for tapes
Landing on Burchill's head
Broken arm vs concussion
Stixx zipped me up
Mum spoonfeeding Christmas dinner
Was Greg the manager?
Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch chemistry
Kind words from Alex Shane
Standard of coaching
WrestleMania main event misery
University student vibe
Absolute lifers
Raven and Kajagoogoo
Dinner with Jack Storm
The London Boys
Dave Mastiff road trip
Turning matches into stories
"Just do a superplex."
People love counting
Listen to the vets
Stealing from Stevie Knight
Only time wrestling Robbie Brookside
The best football dad coach
Chinese talent
Passion like nobody else
Everton
K-Star Wrestling
The skinhead years
Positive ray of light
FWA All-Star stink
Tech Luddite
Robbie was real
Super Dragon
First blood
Hade Vansen freak athlete
Phere vs Mastiff sets the tone
Selling an angle
"Everything is a commercial."
What FWA meant
Martin Stone chip on shoulder
Origins of the Rockstar
Planning five years ahead
Working vs Corey Graves
AWW and Triple X
Perfecting the persona
Acting a wally
Stupid hair
Gallagher brothers
Donny Tourette
Bad Poison singing
Towers of London's Morecambe link
Celine Dion karaoke
"I sold out The Dome, brother!"
Learning heel from Sha Samuels
Dann Read's support
The Doug Williams title
Bigger than my torso
Meaningful moment
Tommy Dreamer's opinion
Evander Holyfield vs Mike Tyson
Ray Stevens
Sell entertainingly
Stole a TV from Asda
Fighting for life vs Sam Slam
Riding the horse
Welcome Stallion
Shield around an insecure little man
"Shut him up, knock him out!"
James Drake
Annoyed by title win promo
Nik Bali
No-one's getting out alive
The perfect venue
Too entertaining
Where's the business?
Sour taste
"We didn't make Johnny Phere."
Knowing the long game
GPW vs Kris Travis
Head exploded
"Did you blade?"
Bloody blue pants
Imagine Progress vs Rev Pro
Everyone wrestles the same
The old Ring of Honor days
Greatest hits
Is this the Way to Amarillo?
Speeded up small Oba Femi
Brag he beat the TV guy
Kurt Angle
Hair vs Hair
Teaming with Bully Ray
Earl Hebner body slam
Lady Boy Chaser
The wedding angle
One take miracle
Tax write off
R Truth
"I never got given stuff."
Hardcore title with social media
Wile E Coyote
Shelf life
Being fired and THAT promo
"It was my masterpiece."
MY tournament
No apology
Wrestling is lying to you
Joke guy
No workers any more
Baron Corbin
Frustrated little man
Smarter than the average bear
Nuggets of info
Uncle Spud
Wife's birthday
Abdominal region
Crazy Sha
Great life
Nikki and Damo
Good for the soul
"I love Birmingham."
Thank you