Pretty Deadly (professional wrestling)

Pretty Deadly
Tag team
MembersLewis Howley/Elton Prince
Sammy Smooth/Sam Stoker/Kit Wilson
Name(s)Greased Lightning
Pretty Bastards
Pretty Deadly
Billed heightsPrince: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Wilson: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Debut2015[2]
Years active2015
2019–present

Pretty Deadly are a British villainous professional wrestling tag team consisting of Lewis Howley and Sam Stoker. They are signed to WWE, where they perform on the SmackDown brand under the respective ring names Elton Prince and Kit Wilson. They are former two-time NXT Tag Team Champions and one-time NXT UK Tag Team Champions.

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit (2015–2020)

Lewis Howley, who trained under the tutelage of Jon Ritchie, Paul Jerome and Lucas Jackson at the legendary DKW Academy based in Purfleet, Essex and Sam Stoker debuted as a tag team on 2 February 2019 on Hustle Wrestling Live in Enfield by defeating Justin Case and Justin Vincible in a tag team match.[3] However, they were briefly active one time under the name of Greased Lightning in a match against Lance Lawrence and Oliver Peace on the 14 November 2015 episode of WrestleForce Live in Basingstoke. Stoker was previously known as Sammy Smooth. After that, they both returned to competing as singles wrestlers.[4] They are also known for their tenures with professional wrestling promotions such as Progress Wrestling[5] and Revolution Pro Wrestling. During their International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom affiliation, they captured the IPW:UK Tag Team Championship one time as Pretty Bastards[6] and one time as a freebird trio including James Castle known as The Collective.[7][8]

WWE (2020–present)

NXT UK (2020–2021)

Howley and Stoker had sporadic appearances across NXT UK in 2019 before making their official WWE debut in a losing effort to Wild Boar and Primate.[9] They were forced to take a six-month hiatus before returning to the United Kingdom and turning in their first victory in WWE.[10] Howley and Stoker became the number one contenders for the NXT UK Tag Team Championship on 28 January 2021 after defeating Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster, Oliver Carter and Ashton Smith and The Hunt (Wild Boar and Primate) in a fatal four-way tag team match.[11]

Cementing their villainous status, they defeated Gallus (Mark Coffey and Wolfgang) to capture the NXT UK Tag Team Championship on the 25 February 2021 edition of NXT UK.[12] They would retain the titles against Amir Jordan and Kenny Williams on the 1 April episode of NXT UK after Williams turned on Jordan.[13] On the 4 June episode of NXT UK, Pretty Deadly would successfully defend their titles against Jack Starz and Nathan Frazer.[14] On the 22 July episode NXT UK, they would retain against Subculture's Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan. On the 19 August episode of NXT UK, Pretty Deadly would retain against Moustache Mountain (Trent Seven and Tyler Bate).[15] However, they would lose the titles to Moustache Mountain in a rematch on the 9 December episode of NXT UK, ending their reign at 287 days.[16]

NXT (2022–2023)

On the 5 April 2022 episode of NXT, Pretty Deadly, now under the ring names of Elton Prince and Kit Wilson, revealed themselves as the Creed Brothers' attackers after they defeated Imperium (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel), effectively making their debut on the NXT brand.[17] The following week, they would defeat the Creed Brothers in a gauntlet match, involving Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde), Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen, and Grayson Waller and Sanga, to win the vacant NXT Tag Team Championship, making them the first tag team to win the titles on their NXT debut and the second team to have won the NXT and NXT UK Tag Team Championships.[18] They lost the titles to the Creed Brothers on 4 June at NXT In Your House, ending their first reign at 53 days.[19] On the 19 July episode of NXT, Pretty Deadly fought Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen for the NXT UK Tag Team Championship in a losing effort.[20] At Worlds Collide on 4 September, Pretty Deadly defeated NXT Tag Team Champions The Creed Brothers, Gallus, and NXT UK Tag Team Champions Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs in a fatal four-way tag team elimination match to unify the NXT and NXT UK Tag Team Championships and reigned as the NXT Tag Team Champions.[21] At NXT Deadline, Pretty Deadly lost the NXT Tag Team Championship to The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods), ending their second reign at 98 days.[22] After failing to regain the titles, Pretty Deadly began feuding with Tony D'Angelo and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo, and lost to them at Spring Breakin in a trunk match.[23] This would be their final NXT appearance.

SmackDown (2023–present)

As part of the 2023 WWE Draft, Pretty Deadly were drafted to the SmackDown brand.[24][25] Pretty Deadly made their SmackDown debut on 19 May 2023, defeating Ridge Holland and Butch of The Brawling Brutes.[26] On the 16 June episode of SmackDown, Pretty Deadly won a tag team gauntlet match to become the number one contenders for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship but failed to capture the titles from Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn on the 30 June episode of SmackDown in London.[27][28] On the 14 July episode of SmackDown, Prince suffered a separated shoulder during Pretty Deadly's tag team match against The Brawling Brutes and had to be side-lined.[29] Pretty Deadly returned on the 13 October episode of SmackDown in a tag team match victory against Holland and Butch.[30]

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2022 WWE SuperCard Elton Prince & Kit Wilson Game debut; as individuals
2023 WWE 2K23 Pretty Deadly Pretty Sweet Pack DLC
2024 WWE 2K24 Pretty Deadly

Personal lives

Howley originates from Grays, Thurrock, Essex, England,[31] and Stoker originates from London, England.[32] Howley attended Hassenbrook Academy in Stanford-le-Hope, Thurrock.[33] In 2017, Howley appeared on an episode of First Dates.[34]

Howley is currently in a relationship with former professional wrestler and current NXT backstage reporter Kelly Verbil, who goes by the on-screen name Kelly Kincaid. Their daughter was born on 20 September 2024.[35]

Since 22 September 2024, Stoker is married to fellow professional wrestler Lucy Bridge, who also performs in WWE on the NXT brand under the ring name Stevie Turner.[36]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ "Lewis Howley Pro Wrestlers Database". thesmackdownhotel.com. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Sam Stoker Pro Wrestlers Database". thesmackdownhotel.com. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  3. ^ Cabrera, Elisa (18 January 2019). "Hustle Wrestling Showcase - 2 Feb 2019 Enfield North London". Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  4. ^ "WF Live In Basingstoke". cagematch.net (in German). Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  5. ^ Richards, Alex (LWOPW Department Head) (20 November 2019). "Preview: PROGRESS – PROGRESS Chapter 98 (11/24/19)". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  6. ^ "IPW:UK International Wrestling #4". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  7. ^ "IPW:UK SuperShow 11 - Havoc vs. Noir Results". International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  8. ^ "IPW:UK SuperShow 11". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  9. ^ Boone, Mat (22 February 2019). "NXT U.K. TV Spoiler Results From 2/22 Taping In Coventry, England". ewrestling.com. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  10. ^ Cassidy, Gary (8 February 2021). "Interview With . . . Pretty Deadly". itrwrestling.com. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  11. ^ Currier, Joseph (28 January 2021). "Pretty Deadly Become Number One Contenders to NXT UK Tag Titles". F4WOnline.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  12. ^ Gibbons, Laurence (25 February 2021). "2/25 NXT UK TV results: Gibbons' review of Mark Coffey and Wolfgang vs. "Pretty Deadly" Sam Stoker and Lewis Howley for the NXT UK Tag Titles, Xia Brookside vs. Nina Samuels, Bailey Matthews vs. Tyler Bate, Lana Austin vs. Aoife Valkyrie". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on 30 April 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  13. ^ Gibbons, Laurence (1 April 2021). "4/1 NXT UK TV results: Gibbons' review of vs. Amir Jordan and Kenny Williams for the NXT UK Tag Titles, Aoife Valkyrie vs. Stevie Turner, and Teoman vs. Josh Morrell". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  14. ^ "WWE NXT UK Results: Pretty Deadly Successfully Defend WWE NXT UK Tag Team Champions, Joseph Conners Nabs Win Over Flash Morgan Webster". The Overtimer. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  15. ^ "WWE NXT UK Results: Meiko Satamura and Pretty Deadly Defend Their Titles". News18. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  16. ^ Gibbons, Laurence (9 December 2021). "12/9 NXT UK TV results: Gibbons' review of "Pretty Deadly" Lewis Howley and Sam Stoker vs. "Moustache Mountain" Tyler Bate and Trent Seven for the NXT UK Tag Team Championship, Emilia McKenzie vs. Blair Davenport, Sha Samuels vs. Sam Gradwell, Jordan Devlin promo". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  17. ^ Moore, John (5 April 2022). "4/5 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of the Stand & Deliver fallout edition with Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez vs. Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolin for the NXT Women's Tag Titles, Nikkita Lyons vs. Lash Legend". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  18. ^ Moore, John (12 April 2022). "4/12 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of a five-team gauntlet for the vacant NXT Tag Titles, Cameron Grimes vs. Solo Sikoa for the NXT North American Title, Mandy Rose vs. Dakota Kai for the NXT Women's Championship, Von Wagner vs. Kushida, Xyon Quinn vs. Draco Anthony". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  19. ^ Moore, John (4 June 2022). "NXT In Your House results: Moore's live review of Bron Breakker vs. Joe Gacy for the NXT Title, Mandy Rose vs. Wendy Choo for the NXT Women's Title, Pretty Deadly vs. The Creed Brothers for the NXT Tag Titles, Cameron Grimes vs. Carmelo Hayes for the NXT North American Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  20. ^ Moore, John (19 July 2022). "7/19 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of a 20-woman battle royal for a shot at the NXT Women's Title, JD McDonagh vs. Cameron Grimes, Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs vs. Pretty Deadly for the NXT UK Tag Titles, Roderick Strong vs. Damon Kemp, Axiom debuts, The Schism reveals their identities". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  21. ^ Moore, John (4 September 2022). "NXT Worlds Collide results: Moore's live review of NXT Champion Bron Breakker vs. NXT UK Champion Tyler Bate in a unification match, NXT Women's Champion Mandy Rose vs. NXT UK Women's Champion Meiko Satomura vs. Blair Davenport in a unification match, Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricochet for the NXT North American Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  22. ^ Moore, John (10 December 2022). "NXT Deadline results: Moore's live review of Bron Breakker vs. Apollo Crews for the NXT Championship, Pretty Deadly vs. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods for the NXT Tag Team Titles, men's and women's Iron Survivor Challenge matches, Alba Fyre vs. Isla Dawn". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  23. ^ Hazelwood, Bruce Lee (25 April 2023). "4/25 NXT Spring Breakin' Report: Hazelwood's live report on Hayes-Waller and Hartwell-Perez-Stratton title matches, Breakker vs. Chase, Femi debuts, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  24. ^ "See all the results from the 2023 Draft". WWE. 28 April 2023.
  25. ^ Keller, Wade (1 May 2023). "5/1 WWE Monday Night Raw results: Keller's report on WWE Draft, Riddle vs. Uso, Judgment Day vs. LWO mixed tag, Lesnar, Cody". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  26. ^ Pretty Deadly make their in-ring SmackDown debut: SmackDown highlights, May 19, 2023, 19 May 2023, retrieved 20 May 2023
  27. ^ Barnett, Jake (16 June 2023). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (6/16): Barnett's review of Roman Reigns' return and Jey Uso's decision, Pretty Deadly vs. The Street Profits vs. The OC vs. Sheamus and Butch vs. Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro in a gauntlet for a tag title shot, Charlotte Flair on The Grayson Waller Effect, Iyo Sky vs. Zelina Vega". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  28. ^ Barnett, Jake (30 June 2023). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (6/30): Barnett's review of Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women's Championship, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Pretty Deadly for the Undisputed WWE Tag Titles, Roman Reigns on the MITB go-home show". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  29. ^ Mrosko, Geno (15 July 2023). "Pretty Deadly's Elton Prince injured on SmackDown". Cageside Seats. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  30. ^ Nash, Anthony (14 October 2023). "Pretty Deadly Win In-Ring Return On 10/13 WWE SmackDown". Wrestlezone. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  31. ^ "Lewis Howley Profile & Match Listing". profightdb.com. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  32. ^ "Sam Stoker Profile & Match Listing". profightdb.com. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  33. ^ Feeney, Sally (6 May 2023). "Former Hassenbrook pupil makes WWE". Thurrock Nub News. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  34. ^ "Last night's First Dates had us witness the most painful date of all time".
  35. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (21 September 2024). "Kelly Kincaid And Elton Prince Welcome Child Into The World | Fightful News". Fightful. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  36. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (22 September 2024). "Kit Wilson And Stevie Turner Get Married | Fightful News". Fightful. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  37. ^ "IPW:UK Tag Team Title". wrestling-titles.com. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  38. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (17 September 2017). "IPW:UK Tag Team Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  39. ^ "Official NXT Tag Team Championship Title History". World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
  40. ^ "Official NXT UK Tag Team Championship History". World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
  41. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (25 February 2021). "NXT UK Tag Team Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 26 February 2021.