If you heard the name Tom Budgen, you probably wouldn't think much about it. Presumably, it'd be someone from a European culture, but honestly, you wouldn't spend time imagining much about the person.
However, what if we said Budgen was not only born outside North America but also has an extensive background in martial arts? Or that he has spent extensive time developing his skills inside and outside his home country? Many fans that follow WWE may not know that Budgen has gone by another alias in the past, Tommy End. Today, he is none other than Aleister Black.
During his time wrestling on the independent wrestling scene, Budgen developed his skills and earned notoriety all over the world. He was being noticed, and it was only a matter of time before he transitioned to WWE. Once the opportunity presented itself, Aleister Black was born.
Budgen career certainly has seen its share of challenges. Much like anyone else's career that undergoes a change, the travels of Tom Budgen from promotion to promotion led him to go to a number of different places all over the world. Here are five things you didn't know about Tom Budgen, otherwise known as Aleister Black.
#5 He has an extended background in martial arts
Before he competed in the ring, Black developed lots of expertise in martial arts. In fact, he competed in disciplines such as Pencak Silat and Kickboxing, from the ages of 9 to 15.
He has continued to develop his kickboxing talents; and as a result, he's developed a pro wrestling style that showcases an impressive and diverse array of strikes, using fierce combinations to knock down his opponents.
One example is his use of a spinning back kick known as the Black Mass, a blow that can knock out any and all opposition regardless of size. In his first match after coming to NXT, Black soundly defeated Andrade ‘Cien' Almas, using the Black Mass as the finisher to wipe out the Mexican.
#4 He held several championships before joining WWE
Those fans that weren't aware of Aleister Black before he joined WWE would not know of his previous wrestling accomplishments. Others may have heard the name Tommy End but don't really know all that he achieved before coming to the company.
One of the most notable things to be aware of is that he has captured a number of championships, primarily in the United Kingdom. He competed in a number of highly touted matches for promotions such as Progress and ICW. In both companies, Black was one-half of their tag team champions.
He has also been a world heavyweight champion multiple times over. Those that that are aware of Black achievements already know that he is clearly capable of not only capturing a title but also helping to elevate it to new heights not seen before. It will only be a matter of time before that happens to Black in NXT or as part of the main roster in WWE.
#3 He didn't report to the WWE performance centre until four months after his reported signing.
When Black made his official in ring debut for WWE this past January, as part of NXT Takeover: San Antonio, fans were mystified by this ominous character that had just joined the roster. Upon his debut, it could be seen that he was something special.
His tall stature and plethora of tattoos were clear to see, but fans soon saw the type of athlete he is in the ring. What should be noted is that the man known at the time as Tommy End signed a contract with WWE just prior to the summer of 2016.
It was remarkable that one of the biggest names in the UK had earned a name for himself and was now being given an opportunity to compete for the biggest promotion in the world. However, it wasn't until mid- October 2016 that he actually reported to the promotion.
He was given time to relocate all his possessions, obtain a work visa and complete all of his previously booked dates, but it was a long wait for those wanting to see someone of End's talents finally appear on WWE television.
#2 He wasn't initially drawn to wrestling by watching the WWE
For most wrestling fans today, the easiest exposure to wrestling, or sports entertainment, is through WWE. It is easy to access and appears in homes all across the world.
The same could be said for Black, whose earliest exposure was as a child when his father flicked on the television, and Black saw Yokozuna kick money out of the hands of the Million Dollar Man.
However, it was actually watching New Japan Pro Wrestling as a child that drew Black in. Japanese wrestling, and to an extent WCW, was his focus growing up. He didn't watch much if any, WWE action until he was about sixteen years of age.
By that time, he was already training to become a wrestler. In fact, the first WWE match he can recall watching as a teen was Triple H against The Rock in 2000.
#1 He faced challenges on the European wrestling scene
While he is more established now as part of WWE's NXT brand, he definitely faced his share of challenges while performing in Europe. He is of Dutch descent and grew up in Holland when wrestling was relatively new in the country. Only a few years he began pursuing a wrestling career, he set out to establish himself.
He came out of what had been the old CWA, at a time when the American promotions were being bought out or closed down. Meanwhile, during that period, wrestling in Europe was changing. He didn't know what was happening around him and was simply aspiring to be seen and heard.
He had a dream, but not much around him to help him achieve it. He along with others who were also training at the time had to work hard to earn a name for themselves and had to move outside his home country to be seen.
Holland didn't have the kind of wrestling heritage that the United Kingdom, France or Germany have. So, he had to travel extensively to find venues to display and develop his skills.
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